“The price I had to pay was almost more than I could afford with all my strength. To lose those children, those children that I had given my life to, it was a wrench that tore me to bits. Lawrence suffered tortures too. I believe he often felt: have I really the right to take this woman from her children?” – Frieda Lawrence [1]
D.H. Lawrence, the renowned English novelist, poet, and essayist, was born on 11 September 1885, in Nottinghamshire, England. His marriage to Frieda was unconventional and marked by passion, controversy, and constant upheavals.
In March 1912, Lawrence met Frieda Weekley (née von Richthofen), with whom he was to share the rest of his life. Six years his senior, Frieda was married to Ernest Weekley, his former modern languages professor at University College, Nottingham, and had three young children. Their connection was intense and immediate, leading to a scandalous affair. Frieda abandoned her husband and children and the couple eloped, leaving England behind and heading to Frieda’s parents’ home in Metz, a garrison town (then in Germany) near the disputed border with France. The couple’s bold decision to marry in 1914 was a rebellious act, considering the societal norms of the time.
Frieda, born into a German aristocratic family, brought a sense of liberation to Lawrence’s life. Her independent and free-spirited nature resonated with Lawrence’s own unconventional views on love and sexuality. The Lawrence marriage was characterized by a passionate and stormy relationship, with both partners challenging societal expectations and conventions.
The couple faced numerous challenges, including financial struggles, censorship of Lawrence’s controversial works, and the constant need to relocate due to their unconventional lifestyle. They spent time in various countries, including Italy, Australia, New Mexico, and the United States, seeking a place where they could live freely and escape the societal constraints of England.
Despite the challenges, Lawrence’s marriage to Frieda had a profound impact on his writing. Frieda not only inspired many of Lawrence’s characters but also played a significant role in shaping his literary themes. The couple’s experiences and struggles influenced some of Lawrence’s most famous works, such as Lady Chatterley’s Lover and Women in Love.
Tragically, the intense bond between Lawrence and Frieda was cut short by Lawrence’s untimely death at the age of 44 due to complications from tuberculosis in March 1930. Frieda continued to champion Lawrence’s legacy, ensuring the publication of his remaining works and preserving their unconventional love story for posterity. She died in August 1956, aged 77.
Selected links for relevant websites, books, movies, videos, and more. Some of these links lead to protected content on this website, learn more about that here.
Susannah Fullerton: D.H. Lawrence & Piano
Susannah Fullerton: D.H. Lawrence & Afternoon in School – The Last Lesson
Susannah Fullerton: Brief Encounters: Literary Travellers in Australia 1836-1939
Sons and Lovers by D.H. Lawrence
The Rainbow by D.H. Lawrence
Women in Love by D.H. Lawrence
Lady Chatterley’s Lover by D.H. Lawrence