Deborah Mitford and the Devonshire Jewels

A joint presentation with Adrian Dickens of CircaAD Jewels

Deborah was the youngest of the notorious Mitford sisters and she grew up in the shadow of their exploits and scandals. She was known in her family as ‘Debo’ and was born at Asthall Manor in Oxfordshire. In 1941 she married Lord Andrew Cavendish, younger son of the Duke of Devonshire of Chatsworth. However, Andrew’s older brother William was killed in the war and he became heir to the dukedom, becoming 11th Duke of Devonshire in 1950. Debo therefore became a Duchess and in her role, she transformed Chatsworth, one of the great stately homes of England, making it a profitable business concern. She had seven children, although only three lived to be adults.

Debo, like many of her sisters, was a writer. She was a superb letter writer and her correspondence with Patrick Leigh Fermor has been published. She wrote memoirs and she wrote about Chatsworth. Susannah Fullerton tells the story of Debo’s remarkable life, resilient personality and her charm.

“The joy, pleasure and amusement she gave to so many, particularly through her books, as well as the contribution she made to Derbyshire throughout her time at Chatsworth, will not easily be forgotten and we shall miss her so very much.”
― Prince Charles, 25 September 2014

The fabulous Devonshire jewels

In her role as Duchess, Debo had access to the Devonshire jewels. Jewellery historian Adrian Dickens discusses some of the family pieces she wore and tells of how her unfaithful husband regularly gave her a brooch when he’d had an affair.

Enter the marvellous world of the Mitfords with this intriguing talk, full of hilarious anecdotes, and learn something more about the fabulous jewels worn by Debo, Duchess of Devonshire, last of the glorious Mitford Girls!

Purchase the Recorded Talk (just $15 AU)

This video is a real treat! Recorded at a live presentation, it has been carefully edited to deliver the experience of being part of an audience and having the best seat in the house. It is about 70 minutes full of intriguing information about Her Grace, Deborah, Duchess of Devonshire who passed away in 2014. Buy it now and receive a link to view your video immediately.

100% guaranteed. If you don’t feel my talk is great value for money, please let me know why and I will refund your purchase price.

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Just $15 (AU). Buy it now – you’ll receive access details by return email.

Discuss it with me

The life of Deborah Mitford, Duchess of Devonshire, was extraordinary from when she was a child, yet she was often described as being “very ordinary”. What do you think? Let’s discuss it here.

What an illuminating and fascinating lecture last night  Your research is so thorough I could not see you at the end of the lecture to thank you Wond... Read more

What an illuminating and fascinating lecture last night.  Your research is so thorough. I could not see you at the end of the lecture to thank you. Wonderful crowd, so it was impossible to move about.

Sheila
Thank you so much for your wonderful talk last night My daughters and I thoroughly enjoyed both talks and loved the photosAs others, I have been fasci... Read more

Thank you so much for your wonderful talk last night. My daughters and I thoroughly enjoyed both talks and loved the photos.
As others, I have been fascinated by The Mitfords for years, made pilgrimages to Swinbrook, the Church and graves, Chatsworth of course etc … but their story is always compelling.

Bronwyn
I have just watched the video, the duet by Susannah and Adrian What a triumph from both of them Is there anything Susannah doesn’t know The Mitford ... Read more

I have just watched the video, the duet by Susannah and Adrian. What a triumph from both of them. Is there anything Susannah doesn’t know? The Mitford sisters and the Duchess’s jewels – spellbinding stuff.

I want to congratulate you on the way it presents, the interplay between the speakers and the slides is brilliant! I watched it for a second time with David, and we were both absolutely enthralled. So thank you for the opportunity to see it so faithfully even though we were unable to be present in person.

Ruth
Thank you for a wonderful talk As with all of your talks I’ve attended over the years it was interesting, informative and fun

Thank you for a wonderful talk. As with all of your talks I’ve attended over the years it was interesting, informative and fun.

Trish
Thank you so much for your wonderful talk last night My daughters and myself thoroughly enjoyed both talks and loved the photosLike others, I have bee... Read more

Thank you so much for your wonderful talk last night. My daughters and myself thoroughly enjoyed both talks and loved the photos.
Like others, I have been fascinated by The Mitfords for years, made pilgrimages to Swinbrook, the Church and graves, Chatsworth of course etc., but their story is always compelling.

Bronwyn

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[DISPLAY_ULTIMATE_PLUS]

At just $20 (AU) this is a real treat! You will receive access to join Susannah on Zoom for a live-stream talk including over 60 minutes of intriguing information and live discussion. Monday, 21 March 2022, 5-6pm (AEST)

Register for all four lectures in the series in one easy purchase, and save money too. Get all 4 for $70. Please see here.

Don’t worry if you can’t make it for the Zoom live stream. Access to a carefully recorded and completely edited video of the talk will automatically be sent to registered attendees within 24 hours. So, you’ll still have the experience of being part of an audience and having the best seat in the house.

100% guaranteed. If you don’t feel my talk is great value for money, please let me know why and I will refund your purchase price.

Comments (2)

  1. Beatrice Yell

    She was a remarkably sensible, down-to-earth woman from a very early age. Thank you Susannah and Adrian for such interesting and stimulating talks. Rgds, Beatrice

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