Enslaver, politician, survivor: the complex life of Elizabeth Vassall Fox

In the late 1790s, Sir Godfrey Webster, heir to Battle Abbey, challenged politician Henry Holland to a duel over a portrait of his wife Elizabeth. Unhappy in her marriage, Elizabeth would divorce Godfrey and marry Henry just two days later. This would mark the beginning of a high-profile life for her in English politics.   But who was this wealthy and privileged Jamaican heiress and how did she exercise her power at a time when women were not allowed to take public roles?   This time on the English Heritage podcast, Amy uncovers the extraordinary life of a woman born to a Jamaican plantation owner, her early married life in Sussex, her European travels, scandalous divorce and the foundation of one of the Whig party’s most prominent salons in London.   Joining Amy is Dr Miranda Kauffman, who’s been researching the connections between heiresses like Elizabeth Vassall, historic places and the wealth generated by chattel slavery. Battle Abbey’s Dr Kathryn Bedford helps uncover Elizabeth’s nuanced character through the depictions and interpretations of her throughout her life.  Don’t forget to follow this podcast and leave a review if you love the show.   Join: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/join/   Podcast listeners can get 20% off the first year of an annual membership. Use code POD20 at checkout. *  Support our work: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/support-us/   The English Heritage Trust is a charity, no. 1140351, and a limited company, no. 07447221, registered in England and Wales.  *Offer is available through the use of this code and valid for new memberships by annual Direct Debit only. It cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotion, on life memberships or renewals.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices