Bachelor Dukes: The 5th Duke of Portland and the 6th Duke of Devonshire | Dr Lauren Batt
harleyfoundation
2,936 views
Join us for an online talk which explores the similarities between The 5th Duke of Portland at Welbeck and the 6th Duke of Devonshire at Chatsworth, from Dr Lauren Batt in conversation with Dr Fiona Clapperton.
The 5th Duke of Portland is best known for his reclusive and unconventional behaviour, which included building a network of underground tunnels, always wearing 3 pairs of socks, and communicating exclusively by letter through his bedroom door. Public interest and speculation about the mysterious ‘Mole Duke’ exploded after his death, stoked by a media frenzy surrounding the ‘Druce Case’, a bizarre court case which alleged that the duke had led a secret double life as a London furniture merchant.
In this talk, Lauren and Fiona will question whether the 5th Duke of Portland was a true outlier, or whether aspects of his character have been misinterpreted by comparing him with his Derbyshire neighbour at Chatsworth, the 6th Duke of Devonshire. Although these two contemporaries were only casual acquaintances, there are compelling similarities in their personalities and interests. They were both bachelors and enthusiastic builders, who were celebrated locally for the employment opportunities offered on their estates, and were uncommonly reliant on their servants (the Duke of Devonshire’s closest friend was his head gardener).
By framing the 5th Duke of Portland and his ‘tunnel vision’ within a wider context of Victorian experimental engineering, competitive horticulture and social planning, such as occurred at Chatsworth in the same period, this talk will bring further nuance to this elusive man and the impact he had on the Welbeck estate.
Dr Lauren Batt is a historian, and Collections Assistant at Welbeck Abbey.
Dr Fiona Clapperton is a historian, and Education and Engagement Manager at The Harley Foundation.
www.harleygallery.co.uk
#victorianhistory #5thdukeofportland #historylecture
6 Comments
Worlds or society status where you are very much the center of attention/celebrity. It is hard to probably make enduring relationships as friendship or romantic. Self-conscious about health conditions or personality types and of course, decorum. What might be expected of you in your time.
He seemed to have been a person that pushed for reform and that’s actually a good thing for someone in his time to help with.
The thought of his obsession in life with fabrics or evasion to certain things, and then supposed obsession with bathing.
It was most likely him being careful with his condition to understand how to best cope with those symptoms. Because in his days there probably wasn’t a diagnosis nor control/medicines. It might have not been an obsession/OCD. It might’ve been him figuring out how to live with his condition.
For people of the working class and his own servant, staff to give good testimony of him is a big mark badge of honor for people in his time .
For it was always the servants that gave testimony, good or bad of their superiors during their lifetime or afterwards .
Slightly unrelated example is when people of high society went to court for any type of dispute; the first people that gave witness
testimony, good or bad, were servants or working-class people that interacted with them. that of which determined greatly, which side one the case.
it seems this man might’ve been a person worth knowing, and he did leave his mark in a good way in the history of his country and the world.
Glad to have stumbled upon
this video clicked on it out of curiosity and learned a lot. Thank you.
Bachelor Dukes: The 5th Duke of Portland and the 6th Duke of Devonshire | Dr Lauren Batt
harleyfoundation
2,936 views
Join us for an online talk which explores the similarities between The 5th Duke of Portland at Welbeck and the 6th Duke of Devonshire at Chatsworth, from Dr Lauren Batt in conversation with Dr Fiona Clapperton.
The 5th Duke of Portland is best known for his reclusive and unconventional behaviour, which included building a network of underground tunnels, always wearing 3 pairs of socks, and communicating exclusively by letter through his bedroom door. Public interest and speculation about the mysterious ‘Mole Duke’ exploded after his death, stoked by a media frenzy surrounding the ‘Druce Case’, a bizarre court case which alleged that the duke had led a secret double life as a London furniture merchant.
In this talk, Lauren and Fiona will question whether the 5th Duke of Portland was a true outlier, or whether aspects of his character have been misinterpreted by comparing him with his Derbyshire neighbour at Chatsworth, the 6th Duke of Devonshire. Although these two contemporaries were only casual acquaintances, there are compelling similarities in their personalities and interests. They were both bachelors and enthusiastic builders, who were celebrated locally for the employment opportunities offered on their estates, and were uncommonly reliant on their servants (the Duke of Devonshire’s closest friend was his head gardener).
By framing the 5th Duke of Portland and his ‘tunnel vision’ within a wider context of Victorian experimental engineering, competitive horticulture and social planning, such as occurred at Chatsworth in the same period, this talk will bring further nuance to this elusive man and the impact he had on the Welbeck estate.
Dr Lauren Batt is a historian, and Collections Assistant at Welbeck Abbey.
Dr Fiona Clapperton is a historian, and Education and Engagement Manager at The Harley Foundation.
www.harleygallery.co.uk
#victorianhistory #5thdukeofportland #historylecture
I was very privileged to have sanded & restored quite few of the floors within the Abbey
The very large library
The personal kitchen
Another room I can't remember it's name
South Carr Farm. Which was completely internally modernised.
Think I did every floor & stairs there.
Once again. Every time I think of the floors I've done there. I was extremely fortunate & privileged.
I'm semi retired now. But after restoring wood floors for over thirty years. It's been the love of my life. And get so much satisfaction from it.