Jane Austen 200 4g4l2s

Jane Austen 200

Celebrating Her Life 200 Years After Her Death

Emma Darlington

Jane Austen 200 Celebrating Her Life 200 Years After Her Death Copyright © Emma Darlington 2017, 2020 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission from the publisher. No responsibility for loss caused to any individual or company acting on or refraining from action as a result of the material in this publication can be accepted by the publisher or the author. A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. ISBN 978 1838281120 Print ISBN 978 1838281137 eBook Published by Brite Bird Press www.britebirdpress.com

For all whom we love and value, for every friend and connection, we equally pray; however divided and far asunder, we know that we are alike before Thee, and under Thine eye.

Jane Austen Prayer

For my family.

Contents

Author’s Note

1. Introduction

2. Jane Austen’s Family and Friends

3. Chronology

4. The Novels

5. Jane Austen’s Life and Death

18 July 2017 at Winchester

1. Funeral Walk

2. Music Recital

3. Unveiling the New Jane Austen Banknote

4. Choral Evensong

18 July 2017 around England

1. Engraving Jane

2. Jane Austen at King’s College

3. Unveiling Jane

Special Exhibitions

1. Jane Austen Among Family and Friends

2. 41 Objects

3. Educating Jane Austen's England 1775-1817

4. The Mysterious Miss Austen

5. Jane’s Winchester: Malady and Medicine

6. Jane and her Alton Apothecary

7. Fickle Fortunes: Jane Austen and Germaine de Staël

8. Jane Austen by the Sea

9. Sitting with Jane

10. Which Jane Austen? War, Empire and Business

11. The Navy at the Time of Jane Austen: Fighting, Flirting and Fortune

12. Retail and Romance: Jane Goes to the Ball

Special Events

1. Floribunda Jane Austen Rose

2. Discover the World of Jane Austen

3. Jane Austen Festival: Ten Days In Bath

4. Jane Austen Regency Week

5. Rain Jane Trail

6. Reflect in the Memorial Gardens

7. The Stinking Fish of Southampton Festival

8. Jane Austen at Winchester Cathedral

Jane Austen 200 Success

1. Jane Austen Gives Hampshire a £21 Million Boost

Jane Austen Resources

1. Jane Austen 200 Events

2. Jane Austen 200 Website Links

Jane Austen by Rudyard Kipling

Acknowledgements

Also by Emma Darlington

Author’s Note

Starting on the 200 year anniversary of Jane Austen’s death on 18 July 2017, each chapter is written from my own experiences from the events that took place throughout 2017. The contents of this book come from my notes, scribblings, drawings, and photographs from a wonderfully busy year that will never be repeated. Any omissions, errors or fanciful speculation are mine and mine alone. The photographs shown in the book have been taken by the author with permission, though in many exhibitions they were restricted so others have been generous in sharing theirs as indicated in the acknowledgements. I refer to Jane Austen by her first name as there are too many Austens to mention. Both Jane’s mother and sister were called Cassandra, so for clarity I have simply said mother or sister. I have also retained the irregular spellings in Jane’s letters and writings. She would often mix up ‘ie’ with ‘ei’, and write neice, beleive, Freindship, and so on. To save writing paper she would often use ‘&’ instead of ‘and’ and was fond of dashes. I have also kept the dates in the day and month format as they were written so you may find them interchanged throughout. Saint Swithin is also known as Saint Swithun. To respect the wishes of the Austen family and in line with the biography published in 1912, James Edward Austen Leigh written by his daughter Mary Austen Leigh, the Austen family names contain no hyphens (just as the Leigh Perrots had no hyphen, neither had the Bigg Withers). For accuracy, I have used some of the descriptions from the materials that promoted Jane Austen 200 activities. In reference to the Georgian era, it is a period in British history from 1714 to 1830-37 named after Kings George I, George II, George III and George IV. The Regency era is a sub-period defined by George IV as Prince of Wales, when he ruled during the illness of his father George III which lasted from 1811-20. So although Jane’s published novels were written in the Regency era, she lived her life in the Georgian era. Finally, I have left out the words probably, perhaps and maybe when referring to Jane’s life, as many historians have pointed out to me that we do not know for sure what Jane did, said, or went. I suggest that I am like many other Jane Austen fans around the world who like to imagine her world full of dancing, walking, shopping, writing, music, family, friends, & love.

Introduction

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.

Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

This is one of the best known and most loved Jane Austen quotes. It is the opening line from her most successful novel Pride and Prejudice, which has sold over 20 million copies since its publication in 1800. Unlike other authors that have disappeared from view, her popularity has increased with television and film productions making her a global superstar. Jane Austen died in the summer of 1817 at the tender age of 41, and spent the last months of her life at Winchester where she is buried in the Cathedral. She had led a full, though some would say quiet life. So who was the mysterious Jane Austen? A quiet country girl who was fond of retail and romance and dancing at balls? Or a strong-minded woman who knew about war, empire and business, who chose the freedom to write and refused to settle for anything less than her own Mr Darcy? 2017 was an exciting year for Jane Austen fans. The planning had started more than a year before, and whispered discussions had talked about her treasures appearing. Some of which had not been seen for over forty years, if at all, and would be brought together for the first time since Jane had laid eyes on them over 200 years ago.

The bicentennial of Jane Austen’s death on 18 July 1817 was going to inspire a year of celebrations, and Hampshire would lead the way. A pair of ladies shoes became synonymous with the project, as Jane Austen 200 was born.

I have been researching Jane Austen’s life for a number of years, and as part of my studies speak to many Jane Austen followers that visit Hampshire. I am often asked about her possessions, what her Pelisse coat looks like, what she looked like, and what original pieces she wrote have survived. Most of my knowledge comes from what I saw first hand during 2017, as Jane’s descendants and private collectors loaned their items for us to see. Living so close to Chawton Cottage, I have spent many days at Chawton House, prayed at St Nicholas Church, and often walk into the town of Alton, just as Jane did. I have explored the Hampshire villages and countryside, and sometimes go further afield to Steventon, Winchester and Bath. On 18 July 2017, the anniversary of Jane’s death, I walked the same route as Jane’s funeral party had walked 200 years ago. In Winchester Cathedral, I listened to Jane’s music being played and placed flowers on her grave. Along with Jane’s family, I sung her hymns and said her prayers at the Choral Evensong held in her memory. I am one of the first people to hold a newly printed Jane Austen £10 banknotes, and see Jane’s six portraits together for the first, and possibly last time. I read Jane’s original chapter from her novel Persuasion, the cancelled chapter, and the original manuscript of Sanditon, the novel Jane abandoned before she died. I read her letters, poems, and plays, and the three Juvenilia notebooks brought together for the first time. I was amazed with Jane’s Pelisse coat, with its bronze silk pattern of oak leaves, and how petite she was. I read Jane’s faded handwriting in the Steventon Marriage she wrote in as a child, as she jokingly married herself to the local boys. I opened the diary belong to Jane’s sister-in-law Mary to see her note of Jane’s death. And sadly thought of Jane’s fondest niece receiving a lock of her aunt Jane’s hair from Cassandra, so beautifully set in a mourning brooch. I wanted to write a book to share my experiences with you of such a unique year. It was wonderful to see the many treasures relating to Jane’s life and those of her family, and I felt truly blessed to be part of it. I would like to thank Jane’s family, private collectors, charities and museums for sharing them with us. For generously sharing their time with me, and inviting me to see and experience the

many treasures associated with Jane Austen. I am truly grateful. As Reverend Catherine Ogle said, ‘I cannot imagine an event like this has been done before in our history.’ Jane wrote this little poem as a child, & I think it represents her perfectly.

Love, they say, is like a Rose; I'm sure 'tis like the wind that blows, For not a human creature knows How it comes or where it goes.

Miss Jane Austen

Jane Austen’s Family and Friends

Jane Austen’s immediate family Reverend George Austen (1731-1805) is Jane’s father. He married Cassandra Leigh at Walcott Church, Bath in 1764. Cassandra Austen (1739-1827) is Jane’s mother. A sociable, witty woman, she met George Austen at Oxford University and married ‘the handsome proctor’ in 1764. James Austen (1765-1819) succeeded his father as Rector of Steventon. Jane looked up to him as he was a successful author who published a weekly periodical called The Loiterer. James married Anne Mathew in 1792, and Jane’s most beloved niece Jane Anna Elizabeth arrived a year later. Anne died in 1795 after a short illness when James was 30 years old. He later married Mary Lloyd, sister to Martha, in 1797 and had two more children, James Edward and Caroline. George Austen (1766-1838) suffered from fits and lived away from the family home. Edward Austen (1767-1852) was known as ‘Neddy’ within the family. He was adopted by a wealthy cousin of his father, Thomas Knight, and inherited estates at Godmersham, Kent and Chawton, Hampshire. He was also High Sheriff of Kent in 1801. He married Elizabeth Bridges on Boxing Day 1791 at a double wedding with her sister, and had eleven children.

Henry Thomas Austen (1771-1850) was the first child born at Steventon and Jane’s closest brother. Henry was charming and optimistic, and as the entrepreneur of the family became a solider, a banker and finally a priest. He married his cousin Eliza in 1797 who died in 1813. He married his second wife Eleanor Jackson in 1820, who was the niece of Reverend Papillon of Chawton. Cassandra Elizabeth Austen (1773-1845) was Jane’s only sister to whom she was very close. In Jane’s Juvenilia she describes her as ‘a Pheonix. Your taste is refine, your sentiments are noble, & your Virtues innumerable.’ Cassandra was engaged to Tom Fowle in 1795 when she was 22 years old. He died in St Domingo in 1797 and was buried at sea. Practical and sensible, she was often called upon to care for her many nieces and nephews. Francis William (Frank) Austen (1774-1865) entered the Navy at the age of 12. He was nicknamed ‘Fly’ and often got into trouble. He had eleven children with his first wife Mary Gibson. After her death, he married Martha Lloyd. He had a successful Navy career and aged 89 was made iral of the Fleet and rewarded with a Knighthood for services to King and Country. Jane Austen (1775-1817) was simply a most famous author. Charles John Austen (1779-1852) was the baby of the family who followed his brother into the Navy at age 12. He married s Palmer who lived with him aboard his ships, and after her death he married her sister Harriet Palmer. He had eight children, four with each wife, and named one of his daughters Jane after his sister. Though not as successful as Frank, he became a Rear iral and died on active duty in his early seventies. He is buried at Trincomalee in Sri Lanka.

Jane Austen’s wider family and friends

s Catherine Austen Knight was born in 1793 when Jane was 17 years old. She was Edward’s first born child, and would often write to her aunt Jane for advice. Jane thought of Fanny as another sister, and wrote to her in 1816, ‘You are worth your weight in gold, or even in the new silver coinage.’ Three years after Jane’s death, she married Sir Edward Knatchbull who had six children, and they had nine more. She died in 1882 at the age of 89. Jane Anna Elizabeth Austen was born in 1793 and was the first born child of James. Anna was two years old when her mother died, and lived at Steventon Rectory for months at a time. She married Benjamin Lefroy, the son of Jane’s friend Madam Lefroy, who died at a young age. They had six daughters and one son. She lived for a time at Wyards Farm in Alton, so Jane saw her often. James Edward Austen Leigh was the son of James by his second wife Mary. Edward was Jane’s fondest nephew, and she wrote one of her last letters to him shortly before her death. He became a clergyman like his father and married Emma Smith, the niece of Mrs Chute of The Vyne. Edward published Jane’s Memoirs and wrote that ‘Aunt Jane was the delight of all her nephews and nieces… We valued her as one always being kind, sympathising and amusing.’ Catherine, Kitty and Alethea Bigg were childhood friends of Jane and Cassandra from Manydown. Catherine and Alethea lived in The Close at Winchester when Jane was ill, and visited her often in the last months of her life. Tom Fowle came from Kintbury, Berkshire and was a pupil of George Austen at Steventon. He became a clergyman and was engaged to Cassandra when he accompanied Lord Craven’s to the West Indies. He died of fever at San Domingo in 1797. Elizabeth Hancock was Jane’s exotic cousin Eliza, known as ‘Betsy’ as a child. Born in Calcutta, she was god-daughter of Warren Hastings who gave her £10,000 in trust. She named her son Hastings in appreciation. Eliza married Jean-François Capot de Feuillide who became a French count. After he was guillotined in the French Revolution in 1794, she returned to England. She later

married Jane’s brother Henry. Philadelphia Hancock was Eliza’s mother and George Austen’s sister. She married Tysoe Saul Hancock, a surgeon, in India, and returned to England via after his death. Martha Lloyd was a family friend of the Austen family from their Steventon days, and lived with the Austen ladies after her mother died. After Jane’s death, she became the second wife to Jane’s brother James. Mary Lloyd was Martha’s sister, who became the second wife to Jane’s brother Francis. She helped Cassandra nurse Jane in the weeks before her death, and noted Jane’s death in her diary.

Chronology

Jane Austen 16 December 1775 - 18 July 1817

1764 - On April 26, Reverend George Austen married Cassandra Leigh at Walcot Church, Bath. They move to Deane, and have three children. James, George and Edward. 1768 - The family move to Steventon and five more children the family, Henry, Cassandra, Francis, Jane, and Charles. 1773 - 23 March George Austen becomes Rector of Deane as well as Steventon. 1775 - 16 December Jane Austen is born at Steventon. 1783 - Edward Austen is adopted by Thomas Knight, a wealthy cousin of George Austen and goes to live at Godmersham, Kent. Jane s Cassandra and their cousin Jane at school in Oxford, then Southampton. Jane catches a fever and almost dies. 1785 - Jane attends the Abbey school in Reading. 1786 - Francis Austen attends the Royal Naval Academy in Portsmouth aged 12.

1787 - Between now and 1793 Jane writes Juvenilia, a compilation of sketches and stories which she later copied into Volume the First, Volume the Second and Volume the Third. 1791 - Charles Austen s his brother at the Royal Naval Academy in Portsmouth, also aged 12. Edward Austen marries Elizabeth Bridges on 27 December and they move to Rowling, Kent. 1792 - James Austen marries Anne Mathew on 27 March. Cassandra is engaged to Reverend Tom Fowle. 1793 - Edward Austen's first child s Catherine Austen Knight is born at Rowling, Kent. James Austen's first child Jane Anna Elizabeth is born at Deane. Henry Austen becomes a lieutenant in the Oxfordshire Militia. 1794 - Jane writes the novella Lady Susan. Jane’s cousin Eliza’s husband JeanFrançois Capot de Feuillide is guillotined in . 1795 - Jane writes Elinor and Marianne, later to become Sense and Sensibility. James’s wife Anne dies on 3 May and their daughter Anna is sent to live at Steventon Rectory. Jane and Tom Lefroy have a flirtation when she visits the home of her friend Madam Lefroy at Ashe House, Deane. 1796 - Jane starts writing First Impressions, later to become Pride and Prejudice after a visit to her brother Edward in Kent. 1797 - James Austen marries his second wife Mary Lloyd, Martha's sister. In February, Tom Fowle (Cassandra's fiancée) dies at San Domingo and is buried at sea. The Austen ladies visit Bath. In November, George Austen offers First

Impressions for publication to Cadell, who rejects it sight unseen. Henry Austen marries his widowed cousin Eliza de Feuillide in London. 1798 - Jane starts writing Susan, later to become Northanger Abbey. James Austen's first son James Edward is born on 17 November at Deane. 1799 - Jane accompanies Edward to Bath. 1800 - 29 March Mrs Leigh Perrot is tried at Taunton and acquitted. In December, her parents announce Mr Austen’s retirement and a move to Bath. 1801 - In May, the Austen family move to Bath and stay at 1 Paragon. They move to 4 Sydney Place in the autumn. The summer is probably spent at Sidmouth. In October, the family settle at 4 Sydney Place. 1802 - During a December visit to childhood friends Elizabeth, Catherine and Aletha, their brother Harris Bigg Wither proposes to Jane which she accepts and then declines the next day. She and Cassandra swiftly return to Bath. 1803 - Jane sells Susan (later titled Northanger Abbey) to Crosby the publisher for £10. In November the family holiday at Lyme Regis. 1804 - Jane began writing The Watsons which is never finished. The family revisit Lyme Regis. The family move from 4 Sydney Place and rent 27 Green Park Buildings. 16 December, Jane’s birthday, her friend Mrs Lefroy is killed by a fall from her horse. 1805 - Jane's father George Austen dies on 21 January and is buried at St Swithin’s Walcot Church, Bath. 25 March, the ladies move to 25 Gay Street. Mrs Lloyd dies on 16 April and Martha s the Austen household. James Austen's daughter Caroline is born on 18 June at Steventon.

1806 - 30 January Jane and Cassandra visit Manydown. Francis Austen marries Mary Gibson on 24 July. In April, the Austen ladies move to Trim Street, before leaving for Southampton in October to live with Frank and his new wife Mary Gibson. 1807 - Charles Austen marries Francis Palmer in Bermuda. 1808 - 10 October Edward Austen's wife Elizabeth tragically dies at Godmersham, shortly after the birth of their eleventh child. Edward offers his mother and sisters a home at Kent or Hampshire. 1809 - 7 July the Austen ladies and Martha move to Chawton Cottage. 1810 - Sense and Sensibility is accepted for publication by Egerton and published at Jane’s own expense. 1811 - Jane starts writing Mansfield Park. In April, Jane stays in London to edit Sense and Sensibility which is published in October. 1812 - Mrs Elizabeth Knight dies and Edward takes the name Knight. Jane sells the copyright of Pride and Prejudice to the publisher Egerton. 1813 - In January Pride and Prejudice is published. Mansfield Park is accepted for publication by Egerton. 1814 - Jane starts writing Emma. In May Mansfield Park is published, and the edition sold out by the autumn. 1815 - Jane finishes Emma at the end of March and starts Persuasion. Henry

falls gravely ill and Jane stays in London to care for him. Jane receives a request to dedicate Emma to the Prince Regent, which is published in December. 1816 - Jane's health begins to fail in the Spring and she visits Cheltenham to take the water. She consults an Alton Apothecary, William Curtis. Henry buys back Susan later titled Northanger Abbey from the publisher. Jane finishes Persuasion in July, although unhappy with the ending, she rewrites it. 1817 - Jane starts writing Sanditon, and has to leave it unfinished. Jane is escorted to Winchester on 24 May to seek medical treatment from Doctor Lyford at the new Winchester Hospital. She stays in rooms at 8 College Street. On 18 July, Jane dies around 4.30am in the arms of her sister Cassandra. Buried on 24 July, she rests in Winchester Cathedral.

Northanger Abbey and Persuasion were bound and published together by John Murray in 1818. Jane’s brother Henry wrote a Biographical Notice of the Author as a short prefix. Jane’s nephew, James Edward Austen Leigh published his Memoir of Jane Austen in 1870. This memoir is special as it is the only published record of Jane’s life by someone who knew her. A second enlarged version was published in 1871 that included pieces of Jane’s novels, stories and letters. Volume the Second of Juvenilia was published in 1922, followed by Volume the First in 1933 and Volume the Third in 1951. The manuscript of Sanditon was published in 1925. In 1884 Jane’s letters were first published as Letters of Jane Austen by Lord Brabourne. A more comprehensive collection was published by R. W. Chapman in 1932 as Jane Austen’s Letters to her Sister Cassandra and Others. Deirdre Le Faye published Jane Austen’s Letters, a third edition in 1995 with further additions to the Chapman collections.

The Novels

Jane Austen has a wonderful skill in revealing animated characters to her readers. She has brought us many clergymen, young beautiful women, rich prospective husbands, and tales of love, money, and ultimately happiness. There has been much speculation about who and what inspired her writing, especially as she lived most of her life in the countryside. It was a life full towns and villages, large families and friends, where people all knew each other and seemed to be interlinked somehow through marriage or relations. As the daughter of a clergyman, Jane would help her father with his Church duties, and was familiar with the trials of everyday life from an early age. Jane had many childhood friends, cousins, and relations, whose personalities and life events we can speculate she wrote about in each of her novels. Kent gave Jane new characters to draw on, as Edward had been adopted by a rich family and Kent was a world away from the rural villages of Hampshire. She was invited to attend many dinners and dances, and spent time in London staying with Henry whilst she polished and negotiated her works. Through her Navy brothers, she had a good grasp of the war, politics and international events. Four of Jane’s novels were published in her lifetime, and two after her death. The Watsons was left unfinished, and Jane had to put Sanditon to one side when she became too ill to write. In 1817, Jane estimated that she had earned around £600 in pewter from her novels. This was broken down into £140 for the first edition of Sense and Sensibility, £110 for the copyright of Pride and Prejudice, and £350 for the first edition of Mansfield Park and the second edition of Sense and Sensibility.

Published Novels

SENSE AND SENSIBILITY

Drafted as Elinor and Marianne around 1795, Sense and Sensibility is about the close relationship between two sisters, one with practical good sense and the other sensitive and emotional. Mrs Dashwood is driven away from Norland, her family home, after the death of her husband. The estate is inherited by a son from a previous marriage, John Dashwood, and he and his wife Fanny promptly move in. Fanny persuades John to break his promise to his dying father to settle a £3000 living allowance on the Dashwood ladies, leaving them with little money to live on. Fanny’s brother Edward arrives, and he and Elinor strike up a friendship. Could this be a match? Sir John Middleton is a relative of Mrs Dashwood and offers the ladies Barton Cottage by the sea. Their arrival brings a circle of eligible men competing for the two sisters, including our dashing villain, Willoughby. The story is enriched by a third sister, a young Margaret Dashwood, and the story concludes with a happy ending. Sense and Sensibility was originally written in letter form, although Jane later changed it to direct narrative as the sisters were never apart. It was published in 1811, and sold so well a second edition came out in 1813. Jane was still receiving royalties from the novel in March 1817.

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE

Jane started writing First Impressions in October 1796 and finished it around August of the following year. She was then twenty-one years old. The Austen family enjoyed it so much, that in November 1797 Jane’s father offered it to a

publisher in London who declined it ‘sight unseen’. Fourteen years later in 1811, Jane began revising it and it was ‘lop’t and crop’t’ and finally published by Thomas Egerton on 28 January 1813. Jane called it ‘my own darling Child’ in a letter to Cassandra. Jane was not publicly known as the author as it was simply titled ‘By the Author of ‘Sense and Sensibility’.’ Pride and Prejudice is a romantic novel with Elizabeth and Jane Bennet at its heart. They are two of five sisters, who have no inheritance to speak of so must marry well. Mr Bingley is a rich bachelor and the new tenant of Netherfield, who along with his friend Mr Darcy causes all kinds of excitement for the local residents. Mr Collins, a cousin and pompous clergymen has his own marriage proposal in mind, and a rogue Mr Wickham threatens the Bennet family name which could mean the end of happiness for all the sisters. Pride and Prejudice sold so well, a second edition was printed the same autumn and a third in 1817. The reading public adored Elizabeth, and it is still Jane’s most popular novel having sold over 20 million copies worldwide.

MANSFIELD PARK

Mansfield Park was written in full at Chawton in 1811 and published in 1814. The heroine of the novel is Fanny Price who at ten years old is sent away to live with relatives at Mansfield Park. Fanny misses her family terribly, especially her brother William and is comforted by her cousin Edward. Mrs Bertram and her pug spend most of the novel on the sofa surrounded by her spoilt children, and her wicked sister Mrs Norris who treats Fanny like a servant. Enter two comical characters, Henry and Mary Crawford who shake up the household. As the children rehearse a play Lovers Vows, the story gathers momentum until Sir Thomas returns and puts everything in its place. Some speculate that the story was inspired by Jane’s brother Edward who was adopted when Jane was a young girl. He moved to Kent which is miles away from the family home, although Mr and Mrs Knight were childless so there were

no selfish cousins to deal with! As a novel, it was not as well received as Pride and Prejudice and there were mixed feelings in published reviews, and among Jane’s family and friends about the heroine Fanny. She was either thought delightful or very dull. It seemed to lack the lightness of her other novels. It sold well enough for a second edition in 1816. The naval references in the novel came from tales reported back from Jane’s brothers Charles and Frank, and Jane writes in the novel that Fanny receives a topaz cross from her brother William, just as Jane and Cassandra did from their brother Charles.

EMMA

After the sweetness of Pride and Prejudice, Jane had decided to write about a less perfect character, ‘I am going to take a heroine whom no one but myself will much like.’ The opening line of the novel reads, ‘Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and happy disposition ..and had lived nearly twenty-one years in the world with very little to distress or vex her.’ Emma is the only heroine of Jane’s not under pressure to marry. Emma lives alone with her nervous father at Hartfield in Highbury, a small village where everyone knows everyone, and Emma is essentially bored. Her governess Miss Taylor has recently become Mrs Weston, and Emma is convinced she has made their match. She then interferes with the love lives of her friends causing a tangle of misunderstandings and upset. These are witnessed by Mr Knightly, a family friend who owns an estate close by. He is the lone member of Emma’s circle who will disagree with her and chastise her manners. The climax of the novel comes when a picnic ends with Emma causing distress to a friend Miss Bates. Emma grows and matures throughout the novel, and is shown how to improve

her own character through love. Jane referred to her novels as her children, writing in 1815 or early 1816 to her niece Anna, whose new daughter she had not yet seen, ‘As I wish very much to see your Jemima, I am sure you will like to see my Emma.’ Written in 1814, Emma was ready in March 1815. Egerton delayed publishing whilst he negotiated with Murray, another successful publisher. They eventually agreed that Jane would publish at her own expense and Murray would receive 10% of the profits. The Morning Chronicle announced the publication of Emma on 23 December 1815, which had a title page of 1816. This was the last novel Jane published in her lifetime. Jane reluctantly dedicated Emma to the Prince Regent who was known to gamble and have mistresses. She dedicated and sent a specially bound copy to Carlton House for the future King, which is now in the Royal Household. It is on display at the Royal Pavilion in 2017.

NORTHANGER ABBEY

Drafted in 1798, Susan is a gothic novel which was a popular genre at the time it was written. It was sold to Crosby in 1803 for £10 who decided not to publish. Jane angrily wrote to the publisher six years later to ask for the return of the manuscript, and in 1816 was able to buy it back for £10. She then ‘Put it on the Shelve for the present.’ Jane had to change the heroine’s name to Catherine as another novel titled Susan had been published in 1809. Northanger Abbey is about Catherine Moreland, one of ten daughters, who lives a sheltered life in the country. She is taken to Bath as a young girl by Mr and Mrs Allen to essentially ‘come out’ after Mr Allen is ordered to Bath for his health. She is influenced by Henry Tilney, Mrs Thorpe, and Isabella who is engaged to her brother, and the villain of the novel is John Thorpe. She becomes engrossed in The Mysteries of Udolpho, and a visit to Northanger Abbey fuels

her imagination further as she discovers the people around her in pursuit of her own happiness. Although most of the novel is set in Bath, Henry titled it Northanger Abbey and it was published posthumously with Persuasion in 1818.

PERSUASION

Written in 1815, it was the last novel Jane was to complete. Persuasion is a wartime love story about Frederick Wentworth and Anne Elliot who meet again after eight years apart. His marriage proposal was refused by Anne as her friend Lady Russell did not approve. Anne regrets this decision, and when Captain Wentworth returns from sea he finds Anne’s family on the brink of financial ruin, and his sister a tenant in Kellynch Hall. Will Anne and Frederick rekindle their love? Some scenes are set in Bath, and the story includes a visit to Lyme Regis and the well known fall from The Cobb. Jane finished the novel in July, although she was unhappy with the ending so rewrote it. It was published six months after her death in 1817 by her brother Henry who chose the title. Jane’s manuscript of Persuasion and the alternative ending remains intact, and was on display as part of the Mysterious Jane Austen exhibition in 2017. Both shorter than Jane’s other novels, Persuasion and Northanger Abbey were bound in four volumes and sold as one publication. This was at the end of December 1817, so the title pages of the publication are dated 1818. This was the first time Jane Austen's name appears in print as the author.

Unfinished Novels

THE WATSONS

Jane drafted seventeen and a half thousand words of The Watsons around 1804. A large and unhappy family, the Watson daughters are forced to leave the parsonage when their father dies. Jane’s own father died in 1805, and it is thought the house moves to Bath, Southampton then Chawton, and the sadness of the story meant it was never completed. The original manuscript of The Watsons is still in existence and was published in 1871. It was displayed at different exhibitions in 2017.

SANDITON

Started on 24 January 1817, the twenty four thousand words of Sanditon were divided into twelve chapters. Jane had to set it aside due to illness on 18 March that same year. She had discussed the novel with her family and referred to it as The Brothers. The story is about a group of fishing village residents turning their town into a coastal resort on the Sussex coast. The original manuscript is intact, and the unfinished novel was published in 1925 under the title Fragment of a Novel. It was shown at King’s College, Cambridge on the anniversary of Jane’s death, 18 July 1817.

Jane Austen’s Life and Death

The uneventful nature of the author’s life …has been a good deal exaggerated.

Jane Austen’s great-nephews, William and R. A. Austen Leigh

Jane Austen was born in the village of Steventon on 16 December 1775, to Reverend George and Cassandra Austen during a particularly cold winter. She was the seventh of eight children, born between two Navy brothers and inseparable from her only sister Cassandra. They were a close, intelligent family, whose days were spent by the brothers in study or out riding or hunting in the surrounding countryside. The sisters would walk for miles, and when at home, Jane would write poems and funny stories whilst Cassandra would paint. In many ways, it was a free and idyllic childhood, broken only by the months spent away at school, and a close call with scarlet fever in Southampton when Jane almost died. We can picture what Jane looked like from her nephew Edward’s description.

In person she was very attractive; her figure was rather tall and slender, her step light and firm, and her whole appearance expressive of health and animation. In complexion she was a clear brunette with a rich colour; she had full round cheeks, with mouth and nose small and well formed bright hazel eyes, and brown hair forming natural curls close around her face.

Henry wrote more about Jane’s attributes in his biographical notice in Northanger Abbey.

Her voice was sweet; she delivered herself with fluency and precision; indeed, she was formed for elegant and rational society, excelling in conversation as much as in composition.

Jane began writing poems and funny stories at an early age, which she copied into three notebooks known collectively as Juvenilia. Her father encouraged her writing, and bought her a travel writing slope as a gift for her 19th birthday. She began her novel First Impressions at the age of 20, which she would ‘lop and crop’ and later publish as Pride and Prejudice. She also started the drafts of Elinor and Marianne that later became Sense and Sensibility, and Susan retitled Northanger Abbey. Jane’s father announced his retirement and a move to Bath when Jane was 25 years old. It was said that Jane was so distraught by the news she fainted. It was whilst living in Bath where Jane’s writing stalled, although scenes in Persuasion and Northanger Abbey take place in the city. She began a fourth novel in 1804 named The Watsons, which was never finished. After Mr Austen’s death in 1805, financial pressures took the Austen ladies and their friend Martha Lloyd to Southampton. The offer of a home came from Jane’s brother Frank and his new wife Mary Gibson. His career in the Navy often took him away at sea, so it seemed a sensible solution that the ladies would live together. A change of fortune came about through Jane’s brother Edward who was adopted in his teenage years by a wealthy cousin of his father. Edward inherited estates at Kent and Hampshire, and in 1809 offered a home to his mother and sisters. Jane was 36 years old, single, independent, and was finally free from worry about keeping a roof over her head.

Jane moved to Chawton Cottage in the summer. She once again picked up her quill and wrote Mansfield Park and Emma in their entirety. They were published in 1814 and 1815 respectively, and Jane followed her run of success with Persuasion, her last completed novel. She wrote the last line in August 1816. She bought Susan back from her publisher and it was ‘put on the shelve for the present’ to be later titled Northanger Abbey. It was around this time she began to feel unwell, and was already suffering with the disease that would eventually take her life. Based on her symptoms, it was originally thought Jane had Addison’s Disease caused by a tubercular infection. She visited Cheltenham in the Spring of 1816 to take the waters for her back pain, and consulted Mr Curtis, an apothecary in Alton who itted he could not help her. This is when she rewrote the final chapter of Persuasion, one of Jane’s most romantic endings. For a short time, Jane’s condition improved and in the New Year she started a new novel she called The Brothers, now known as Sanditon. On 10 March, Jane informed her niece Caroline of her ‘fine flow of literary ardour’ prompted by a receipt of ‘nearly twenty pounds’ from Egerton for sales from the Second Edition of Sense and Sensibility. Four days later, mid chapter, she stopped, and laid down her quill for the last time. She took to her bed, too ill to carry on. She accepted a visit from a Winchester surgeon whose ‘applications gradually removed the Evil.’ Jane prepared a memo ‘Profit from my Novels, over & above the £600 in the Navy Fives’ to record her earnings since March 1816. Navy Fives were government bonds that yielded 5% interest. Jane started with ‘Mansfield Park 1st Ed £13.7s.’

Jane Austen Memo of her Royalties

It was probably for her Will which she wrote on 27 April, leaving everything to her sister Cassandra except for two small legacies.

Jane Austen’s Will written on 27 April 1817

I Jane Austen of the Parish of Chawton do by this my last Will & Testament give and bequeath to my dearest Sister Cafsandra Eliz.th, every thing of which I may die pofsefsed, or which may be hereafter due to me, subject to the payment of my Funeral Expenses, & to a Legacy of £50. to my Brother Henry, & 50. to M. de Bigeon - which I request may be paid as soon as convenient. And I appoint my said dear Sister the Executrix of this my last Will & Testament.

Jane Austen, April 27 1817

The last letter Jane wrote from Chawton was to her friend Anne Sharpe who lived in Doncaster. Jane describes her illness and talks of how her family had rallied round her. It gives us a good idea of the state of her mind as well as her health, two days before she left Chawton for Winchester on 24 May.

Your kind letter, my dearest Anne, found me in bed, for in spite of my hopes and promises when I wrote to you I have since been very ill indeed. An attack of my sad complaint seized me within a few days afterwards - the most severe I ever had - and coming upon me after weeks of indisposition, it reduced me very low. I have kept to my bed since the 13th of April, with only removals to a sofa. Now, I am getting well again, and indeed have been gradually though slowly recovering my strength for the last three weeks. I can sit up in my bed and employ myself, as I am proving to you at this present moment, and really am equal to being out of bed, but that the posture is thought good for me. How to do justice to the kindness of all my family during this illness is quite beyond me! Every dear brother so affectionate and so anxious! -and as for my sister! -Words must not fail me in any attempt to describe what a nurse she has been to me. Thank God! She does not seem the worse for it yet, and as there was never any sitting up necessary, I am willing to hop she has no after-fatigues to suffer from. I have so many alleviations and comforts to bless the Almighty for! My head was always clear, and I had scarcely any pain; my chief sufferings were from feverish nights, weakness and langour. This discharge was on me for above a week, and our Alton apothecary did not pretend to be able to cope with it, better advice was called in. Our nearest very good, is at Winchester, where there is a hospital and capital surgeons, and one of them attended me, and his applications gradually removed the evil. The consequence is, that instead of going to Town to put myself in the hands of some physician as I should otherwise have done, I am going to Winchester instead, for some weeks to see what Mr Lyford can do farther towards re-establishing me in tolerable health.

As Jane’s health had continued to decline, her family decided seek medical help from Dr Giles Lyford, a surgeon at the new Winchester Hospital on Parchment Street. Rooms had been arranged on College Street by Jane’s childhood friend Elizabeth, who lived in The Close a few minutes away. On 24 May, Jane and Cassandra made the journey to Winchester in a carriage loaned to them by James. Henry and his son William accompanied them on

horseback as the rain poured down. On arrival, Jane was carried up to the first floor of the house as she was too weak to walk. Jane tried to be optimistic, though was able to leave the house only once in May in a sedan chair and spent most of the time on the sofa. Her family visited often, and she tried to reassure them that she would be well. One of the last letters Jane wrote was to her fondest nephew Edward. Her writing that was usually so neat is now more of a scrawl.

Mrs. Davids, College Street, Winton Tuesday May 27 I know no better way my dearest Edward, of thanking you for your most affectionate concem for me during my illness, than by telling you myself as soon as possible that I continue to get better. I will not boast of my handwriting; neither that, nor my face have yet recovered their proper beauty, but in other respects I am gaining strength very fast. Mr. Lyford says he will cure me, & if he fails I shall draw up a Memorial and lay it before the Dean & Chapter, and have no doubt ofredress from that Pious, Leamed, and Disinterested Body. Our lodgings are very comfortable. We have a neat little Drawing room with a Bowwindow overlooking Dr. Gabell's garden. God Bless you my dear Edward. If ever you are ill, may you be as tenderly nursed as I have been, may the same Blessed alleviations of anxious, simpathising friends be yours, & may you possess-as I dare say you will-the greatest blessing of all, in the consciousness of not being unworthy of their love. 1 could not feel this. Your very affectionate aunt, Jane Austen

Despite Jane’s optimism, Doctor Lyford had told the family privately that Jane's case was desperate and he could not save her. In early June, Cassandra sent for her sister-in-law Mary to help nurse her. Jane's family came for final visits and her condition though serious slightly improved. On Tuesday 15 July she managed to dictate a comic poem to Cassandra.

Winchester Races is a fashionable day of gambling and revelry, ‘The Lord and the Ladies were satine’d and ermined’ and in 1817, it fell on the same day as Saint Swithun. It is Jane’s last composition and known as her ‘Winchester Verses’. On Thursday 17 July Cassandra went into town, and when she returned found Jane in an attack of faintness. Mary had incorrectly noted in her diary, 'Jane Austen was taken for death about 1/2 past 5 in the Evening.’ The two sisters talked quietly for a time, before Jane cried out, ‘God, grant me patience, Pray for me oh Pray for me!’ Doctor Lyford was sent for and istered laudanum to ease Jane's suffering. By 7pm she was unconscious and lay perfectly still. Cassandra sat by for six hours, then Mary relieved her. Cassandra came back at 3.30am, and an hour later Jane died in her sisters arms. Cassandra lovingly wrote, ‘She was the sun of my life, the gilder of every pleasure, the soother of every sorrow, I had not a thought concealed from her, & it is as if I had lost a part of myself.’ Mary's diary for 18 July more accurately reads, ‘Jane breathed her last 1/2 after four in the Morn. Only Cass & I were with her. Henry came.’

We can piece together the last days of Jane's life from Henry's biographical notice.

She retained her faculties, her memory, her fancy, her temper, her affections, warm, clear and impaired to the last. Neither her love of God, nor of her fellow creatures flagged for a moment. She made a point of receiving the sacrament before excessive bodily weakness might have rendered her perception unequal to her wishes. She wrote whilst she could hold a pen, and with a pencil when a pen became too laborious.

On 21 July 1817, Hampshire Chronicle and the Courier ran a short notice of Jane’s death with an incorrect date of death.

Winchester, Saturday, July 19 th. Died, yesterday, in College-street, Miss Jane Austen, youngest daughter of the late Rev. George Austen.

A day later, the Courier ran a longer notice probably written by her family.

DIED. On the 18 th inst. at Winchester, Miss Jane Austen, youngest daughter of the late Rev. George Austen, Rector of Steventon, in Hampshire, and the Authoress of Emma, Mansfield Park, Pride and Prejudice, and Sense and Sensibility. Her manners were most gentle, her affections ardent; her conduct was not to be sured, and she lived and died as became a humble Christian.

The funeral was fixed for the following Thursday 24 July, and Jane lay in an

open coffin in one of the small rooms downstairs until then. Women did not attend funerals, so Cassandra and Mary could only watch as Jane's three brothers and her nephew wheeled the coffin up the street and out of sight. The burial took place in the Cathedral before the daily services began. The Winchester Cathedral Burial for 1817 shows the entry for Jane Austen. It correctly records Jane’s funeral as being on 24 July 1817, although the clerk has incorrectly written that Jane died on 16 July, two days earlier than the date of her death.

Winchester Cathedral Burial showing the entry for Jane Austen

It was Henry who wrote the words chiseled onto Jane’s gravestone.

Written notice of Jane Austen’s gravestone dedication by Henry Austen

The benevolence of her heart, the sweetness of her temper and the extraordinary endowments of her mind obtained the regard of all who knew her and the warmest love of her intimate connections. Their grief is in proportion to their affection they know their loss to be irreparable but in their deepest affliction they are consoled by a firm though humble hope that her charity devotion, faith and purity have rendered her soul acceptable in the sight of her REDEEMER.

The Austen family were very much affected by Jane's death. James had been called to his sister's bedside soon after she died, and he was as grief stricken as his younger siblings. For years he too had been suffering from illness, so much so, that he was unable to attend Jane's funeral. He sent his son Edward in his place. Despite his grief, he wrote a poem for Jane in tribute of her memory,

In her were combined A fair form & fairer mind; Hers, Fancy quick & clear good sense And wit which never gave offence; A Heart as warm as ever beat, A Temper, even, calm & sweet; ... And to one line she ever wrote Which dying she would wish to blot; But to her family alone Her real, genuine worth was known.

A year and a half after Jane's death, James himself died on 13 December 1819, and was buried at St Nicholas Church Steventon five days later. Jane was always fondly ed by her family, and they would later write memories of their childhood with their aunt Jane.

In her Memoirs, Jane’s niece Caroline wrote a loving age about her Aunt Jane.

I need scarcely say she was dearly loved by her family. Her Brothers were very proud of her - Her literary fame, at the close of her life, was only just spreading but they were proud of her talents, which they even then estimated highly - proud of her home virtues, of her cheerful spirit - of her pleasant looks - and each loved afterwards to fancy a resemblance in some daughter of his own, to the dear "Aunt Jane", whose perfect equal they yet never expected to see.

Portrait Miniature of Lizzy and Marianne Knight, daughters of Jane’s brother Edward. Marianne was said to have looked like her aunt Jane at the same age.

18 July 2017 at Winchester

The events featured in this Chapter took place in Winchester where Jane Austen died and is buried on the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen’s death.

Funeral Walk From College Street to Winchester Cathedral Winchester Cathedral Music Recital Unveiling of the New Jane Austen £10 Banknote Choral Evensong

Funeral Walk

From 8 College Street to Winchester Cathedral

Memorial Garden, College Street, Winchester Tuesday 18 July 2017 at 8.30am

I have lost a treasure, a such a sister, such a friend as never can have been sured. She was the sun of my life, the gilder of every pleasure, the soother of every sorrow; I had not a thought concealed from her, and it is as if I had lost a part of myself.

Cassandra's words hung in the air, on a particularly cloudy and windy morning for the month of July. I stood amongst the crowd of around 200 mourners in the Jane Austen Memorial Garden, just across the street from the house where Jane had died. We were in fine Regency dress, and it was almost like stepping back 200 years, as we stood together to pay our respects to one of England’s most beloved authors, Jane Austen. In the early months of 1817, Jane’s health had quickly deteriorated and after a severe fever her local Apothecary itted he could no longer help her. He suggested she go to Winchester to seek advanced medical treatment, and this is where Jane had spent the last few months of her life.

8 College Street where Jane and Cassandra rented rooms on the first floor

An oval plaque on the front of the house observes Jane's time here and simply says,

In this house Jane Austen lived her last days and died 18TH July 1817

Jane had arrived from Chawton on 24 May accompanied by her sister, her brother Henry and his son. They had arrived here on a particularly rainy day, and Jane had to be carried upstairs. Jane’s childhood friend Elizabeth of Manydown had arranged for Jane and Cassandra to stay in Mrs David’s rooms on the first floor of the house. Elizabeth and her sister Alethea both lived in The Close nearby, and visited Jane daily. The location of the rooms was convenient for Jane’s doctor Giles King Lyford to visit. He was a respected surgeon at the new Winchester Hospital on Parchment Street, and a family friend. The readings continued with Jane’s optimistic letter written to her nephew Edward before she died,

I know no better way my dearest Edward, of thanking you for your most affectionate concern for me during my illness, than by telling you myself as soon as possible that I continue to get better.Mr Lyford says he will cure me, & if he fails I shall draw up a Memorial and lay it before the Dean & Chapter, & have no doubt of redress from that Pious, Learned, and Disinterested Body.- Our Lodgings are very comfortable. We have a neat little Drawg-room with a Bow-window overlooking Dr Gabell's Garden.

Jane dearly loved her nephew Edward, and had visited him often at Winchester College, seen just here behind the house. Doctor Lyford had told Jane’s family he could not save her, and she Jane died in the early hours of Tuesday 18 July 1817 in the loving arms of her sister. Paragraphs from Cassandra’s letter to her niece Fanny were read aloud. It was written after Jane’s death where she clearly describes Jane’s ing.

I was able to close her eyes myself, and it was a great gratification to me to render her those last services. There was nothing convulsed which gave the idea of pain in her look; on the contrary, but for the continual motion of the head she gave one the idea of a beautiful statue, and even now, in her coffin, there is such a sweet, serene air over her countenance as is quite pleasant to contemplate. The last sad ceremony is to take place on Thursday morning; her dear remains are to be deposited in the cathedral… it is a satisfaction to me that they are to lie in a Building she ired so much… her precious soul I presume to hope reposes in a far superior Mansion. May mine one day be reunited to it.

Jane knew these cobbled streets well. Her brothers and nephews had attended Winchester College. You can see the rooftops of the school buildings behind the house. It was interesting to hear that Jane’s father had bought his books from John Burdon’s bookshop a few doors along from her lodgings, now P&G Wells. Jane’s funeral had taken place a week after her death in the early morning of Monday 24 July 1817. Jane's brothers Frank, Edward and Henry, and her nephew Edward (who stood for her brother James who was too ill to attend) had escorted Jane to the Cathedral. Her brother Charles was too far away at Eastbourne to make the journey. It was not considered proper for ladies to attend funerals at that time, so Cassandra and Mary could only watch from the bow window as the funeral

procession made its way up the street and out of sight. This was going to be our walk. Cassandra’s letter to Fanny continued,

I watched the little mournful procession the length of the Street & when it turned from sight & I had lost her for ever - even then I was not overpowered, nor so much agitated as I am now in writing of it. - Never was a human being more sincerely mourned by those who attended her remains than was this dear creature. May the sorrow with which she is parted from on earth be a prognostic of the joy with which she is hailed in Heaven!

Our procession walked up College Street, ed under the archway of Saint Swithun-upon-Kingsgate Church, and paused at the large medieval gates that guard the Inner Close.

Jane’s poem Venta was read aloud. Venta Belgarum is the Roman name for Winchester, and Jane dictated the poem to Cassandra on 15 July, just days before she died. The poem is a complaint that the city folk of Winchester would rather spend St Swithun’s Day at the races instead of praying at Church. Saint Swithun was a 9th century bishop and Patron Saint of Winchester, who has a shrine in the Cathedral. He is linked with the legend that if it rains on Saint Swithun’s Day, it will rain for the next forty days, and the weather on that day in 1817 was notably wet.

Written at Winchester on Tuesday the 15th July 1817 When Winchester Races first took their beginning It is said the good people forgot their old saint Not applying at all for the leave of St. Swithin And that William of Wykham’s approval was faint. The races however were fix’d and determin’d The company met & the weather was charming The Lords & the Ladies were sattin’d & ermin’d And nobody saw any future alarming. But when the old Saint was inform’d of these doings He made but one spring from his shrine to the roof Of the Palace which now lies so sadly in ruins

And thus he address’d them all standing aloof. Oh, subjects rebellious, Oh Venta depraved When once we are buried you think we are dead But behold me Immortal. -By vice you’re enslaved You have sinn’d and must suffer. -Then further he said. These races & revels & dissolute measures With which you’re debasing a neighbouring Plain Let them stand - you shall meet with your curse in your pleasures Set off for your course, I’ll pursue with my rain. Ye cannot but know my command in July. Henceforward I’ll triumph in shewing my powers, Shift your race as you will it shall never be dry, The curse upon Venta is July in Showers.

ing through the walled gates we entered The Close. It is full of huge old oak trees and open green lawns, and a diagonal pathway that took us under the arches. We arrived at the front doors of the Cathedral and waited. At 9.00am, the time of Jane’s funeral, the Cathedral bell was struck 41 times. Once for each year of Jane’s life. We entered the Cathedral and gathered informally around Jane's grave and her memorial plaque nearby. We laid flowers on her gravestone laid into the floor.

There is no mention of Jane’s talents as a writer, as her family had simply inscribed their kind words about Jane’s character and their personal grief they felt at her loss. The opening lines read, ‘The Benevolence of Her Heart, the Sweetness of Her Temper.’ Bouquets of flowers were placed in front of Jane’s memorial plaque, which was erected in 1872 by her nephew Edward.

As Jane's popularity had grown after her death, her family had wanted to recognise Jane's talents as a writer, and so this inscription begins.

Jane Austen, known to many by her writings

As I looked up, the sun shone through the memorial window above that is dedicated to Jane Austen. It was made by Kempe, the famous London glass maker and was paid for by public subscription in 1900. At the top is Saint Augustine of Hippo or ‘Austin’ for short, reminding us of Jane’s own surname. King David sits just below him playing his harp in reference to Jane’s love of music. There is a Latin inscription which reads, ‘ in the Lord Jane Austen, who died 18 July, in the year of our Salvation, 1817.’ Saint John sits at the lowest window holding a scroll that reads.

In the beginning there was the Word

Sitting in the pews, I listened to Jane’s final pieces of poems and prayers she wrote before she died. It was a perfect start to the day.

Music Recital

The Austen Trio

Winchester Cathedral Nave, Winchester Tuesday 18 July 2017 at 1.00pm

Without music, life would be a blank to me.

Jane Austen, Emma

After Jane’s funeral procession and gathering around her grave in the morning, it was a pleasure to sit behind at the far end of Winchester Cathedral. It is a small and intimate part of the Cathedral behind the altar, where St Swithun’s shrine can also be found. We were listening to the Austen Trio perform music that Jane would have played and listened to during her lifetime. The pieces chosen showed the variety of music that was fashionable in Jane’s day, and what her family enjoyed listening to. It was a delight to hear the unusual combination of Soprano, the light keys of the piano (which was actually a square piano) and the soft strings of the harp.

The Austen Trio performing Jane Austen’s music

Jane had enjoyed playing and listening to music, and often performed with her family as part of their own entertainment. She first received music lessons whilst at school in Reading, and then at Steventon by George Chard. He was an accomplished music teacher from Winchester College, and also the assistant organist in this very Cathedral. Jane would write her own music as well as copy music in her neat hand from printed sheets. Although her piano and printed music were sold when the family moved to Bath, Jane kept her own copybooks which had taken hours to write. Playing was known to be one of Jane’s talents, and her nieces Jane practicing before breakfast whilst living at Chawton Cottage. The Austen family had a fascinating collection of music from the 18th and 19th centuries. Of the remaining 17 books in existence, six belonged to Jane. Along with a selection of the Austen family music being played, one of Jane’s prayers was set to music and was a special piece to listen to on this very special day.

The Austen Trio

Samantha Carrasco - Fortepiano Kate Ham - Harpist Helen Neeves - Soprano

Musical Programme

‘Come, ever smiling Liberty’ from Judas Maccabaeus George Frideric Handel (1685-1759) ‘Angels Ever Bright’ from Theodora ‘Overture du Rivval Confident’ Andre Gretry (1741-1813) ‘The Wife’s Farewell’ Michael Kelly (1762-1826) ‘Their Groves of Sweet Myrtle’ Robert Burns (1759-1796) ‘Que j’aime à voir les hirondelles’ Francois Devienne (1759-1803) Grand Duet for the Harp and Piano Op. 72 1st movement Allegro Maestoso Jan Ladislav Dussek (1760-1812)

‘I Have a Silent Sorrow Here’ from The Stranger (Duchess of Devonshire) Georgiana Cavendish (1757-1806) Robin Adair Variations Andante Semplice George Kiallmark (1781-1835) ‘The Joys of the Country’ from The Wags Charles Dibdin (1745-1814)

The Austen Trio have recorded Jane Austen’s Musical Treasures. You can purchase a copy through their website.

The Austen Trio publicity photograph

Jane Austen’s original music sheets are on display at the Jane Austen House Museum at Chawton.

Unveiling the New Jane Austen Banknote

The Bank of England

Winchester Cathedral, Winchester Tuesday 18 July 2017 at 2.30pm

‘Tho’ I like praise as well as anybody, I like what Edward calls Pewter too.’

Jane Austen Letter to her Niece Fanny Knight, 30 November 1814

The Bank of England unveiled the new Jane Austen £10 banknote at a ceremony held at Winchester Cathedral to coincide with the 200 anniversary of Jane Austen’s death. I was lucky enough to be amongst the 500 people who assembled for this special presentation, and waited with anticipation to see and handle this new Jane Austen treasure. In 2013, Mark Carney, the Governor of the Bank of England, had visited Chawton Cottage to announce that Jane Austen would appear on the newly designed £10 banknote. Scheduled for 2017, it would mark the 200 years since Jane’s death.

Jane was to replace Charles Darwin, and after an enthusiastic ‘Keep a Woman on English Banknotes’ campaign, marked the return of a woman. They were to go into public circulation on 14 September 2017. Jane had a keen interest in money and even wrote a riddle called Banknote that suggested money could influence love.

You may lie on my first, by the side of the stream. And my second compose to the Nymph you adore But if when you’ve none of my whole her esteem And affection diminish, think of her no more.

There was a lot of anticipation and whisperings as we waited for the presentation to start. The newspapers that day had reported that Jane Austen fans were not happy. Those that had seen the new banknote felt that Jane’s portrait had been airbrushed to make her look ‘prettier’. And to add to this unhappiness was the quotation chosen from Pride and Prejudice. ‘I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading!’ was said by Caroline Bingley merely to turn Mr Darcy’s head. As we all knew, Caroline had no interest in books or reading, so why and who had chosen this quote? The murmuring subsided as we watched the presenters take their seats at the front of the Cathedral.

The Great Unveiling

The presentation opened with Catherine Ogle, the Dean of Winchester, giving a

pleasant welcoming speech. She talked about Jane’s life, her novels and her faith, and how Jane had influenced people with her writing. After welcoming everyone, she gave a special mention to Jane’s descendants who were in the audience. Everyone turned to look to the back of the Cathedral to see if they could spot someone that looked remotely like Jane. The Dean then invited Gillian Dow, the Executive Director at Chawton House Library to say a few words. Gillian talked about the positive legacy Jane had left behind through her novels, how they were mainly concerned with domestic matters, and how humble Jane had been about her own talent as a writer. She closed with a poignant quote, ‘She wrote herself into comparatively little money in life; she has written herself onto millions of pounds in death.’ Mark Carney was then asked to the podium. He fondly recalled his 2013 announcement that Jane would appear on the new £10 banknotes, which he made from Jane Austen House Museum years earlier. He said that Jane Austen certainly merits a place in the select group of historical figures to appear on English banknotes. That her novels have an enduring and universal appeal, and she is known as one of the greatest writers in English literature. He said there could be no better place to unveil the new banknote than here, where Jane is buried, and no better time than today, on the 200th anniversary of her death. Jane has brought joy, and is yet to bring joy, to all those who read her work. Screens along the aisles lit up with a video presentation by the Bank of England about the making of the new banknote, and the many Jane Austen references they had used in its design.

Jane Austen presentation of the new £10 banknote at Winchester Cathedral

Jane Austen References

The portrait of Jane Austen shown on the banknote is based on an engraving by William Home Lizars. He was commissioned by James Edward Austen Leigh in 1870 to create the frontispiece for his biography, A Memoir of Jane Austen. The artist based the portrait on the original sketch drawn by Jane’s sister in 1810. Below the portrait is the controversial quotation from Jane’s novel Pride and Prejudice when Caroline Bingley exclaims, ‘I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading!’ Inside the see-through window is the image of Winchester Cathedral, Jane's final resting place which is in gold foil on the front and silver on the back. To the right of it is a writing quill that changes colour from purple to orange when the note is tilted.

The new £10 banknote featuring Jane Austen References

A hologram of a crown is above the image of the Cathedral, and on the reverse of the banknote behind it is an open book in copper foil that shows Jane's initials, JA. An illustration of Elizabeth Bennet sitting at a table shows one of Jane's most beloved characters from Pride and Prejudice. The geometric pattern in the background is of the same shape as the writing table where Jane wrote so much of her work. Beneath it is an illustration of the house and grounds at Godmersham Park in Kent, the splendid estate inherited by Jane's brother Edward, with horses and a carriage in the foreground. Jane Austen’s signature is from her Will.

Holding the New £10 Banknotes

After the presentation had finished and Mark Carney had given his closing speech, we were invited to handle the new £10 notes. This caused great excitement as we moved over to Jane’s grave where the Bank of England had made available some of the first to be printed. They had AA01 serial numbers, and we took photographs of ourselves and each other holding the new banknotes. I can say I was one of the first people to see them, and I will be reminded of this special event each time I take out my purse.

The new Jane Austen banknote unveiled at Winchester Cathedral

Presentation Frames

The Bank of England created special presentation frames containing banknotes with significant serial numbers for Chawton House, Jane Austen House Museum, Jane Austen Centre Bath and Winchester Cathedral. This frame was presented to Chawton House Library by the Chief Cashier of the Bank of England, Victoria Cleland. It bears the serial number AA01001809 to mark the year that Jane moved to Chawton.

£10 Jane Austen Banknote on display at Chawton House

The Jane Austen House Museum received their presentation banknote with the serial number AA01001949, to mark the year that the museum opened its doors to the public.

£10 Jane Austen Banknote presented to the Jane Austen House Museum

A banknote with the serial number AA01001775 was given to the Jane Austen Centre Bath. The year Jane Austen was born.

£10 Jane Austen Banknote presented to the Jane Austen Centre Bath

A special banknote with the serial number AA01001817 was presented to Winchester Cathedral, marking the year of Jane Austen’s burial in 1817.

For Jane Austen Fans and Collectors

The first run of £10 notes start with the Serial Numbers AA01 to AA60, which collectors like as they are first off the printing press. However, many of these have already been given to Jane Austen charities or put up for auction, so are hard to find. Coming up, Jane Austen collectors are on the lookout for sheets 16 121775 and 18 071817 which are the dates of Jane's birth and death, and 17 751817 which is Jane's birth and death year combined. The serial number 28 011813 is also one to watch out for, as Jane's celebrated novel Pride and Prejudice was first published on that date. Jane's initials JA01, and JA75 and JA17, the year of her birth and death will also be popular, although it will probably be a while before they are printed and put into circulation!

Choral Evensong

For Jane Austen

Winchester Cathedral, Winchester Tuesday 18 July 2017 at 5.30pm A Memorial Service was held in memory of Jane Austen who died 200 years ago today, and who is buried here in Winchester Cathedral. It was one of the most touching services I have attended, and making it even more special was knowing that some of Jane’s descendants were present in the congregation.

Jane Austen statue at her grave in Winchester Cathedral on 18 July 2017

Jane’s own funeral service had consisted of a small group of close family , in contrast to the hundreds of people packed into the Cathedral today, all praying and singing in memory of Jane. The service was put together from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, so the music, hymns and prayers would have been familiar to Jane. She would have known the music of Henry Purcell, would have prayed the responses within her private devotions, and sung the words of the first two hymns. She would have sung the final hymn, said the closing prayers and the blessing. The Dean and Chapter led the service, with readings from invited guests and songs by the Cathedral Choir.

Dean Catherine Ogle at Jane Austen’s Memorial Service

Jane had a strong faith in Christ and attended church regularly. Her father, brother James, his son Edward, and her brother Henry were all clergymen. She wrote her own prayers and helped her father with his Church duties, as well as in the parish whenever she could. As such, from a young age, she would have been familiar with birth, sickness, poverty and death, and the trials of everyday life. As an extra special touch, the bible being used had belonged to Jane’s father, the Reverend George Austen, from his time at St Nicholas Church Steventon.

ORDER OF SERVICE

A small group from the clergy and the choir walked up the middle aisle to the altar, then walked down the north nave to stand at Jane’s grave. They sang.

Hear my prayer, O Lord: and let my crying come unto thee.

Psalm 102.1 ~ Music by Henry Purcell (1659-95)

We stood and sang the Processional Hymn.

Come, thou fount of every blessing, Tune my heart to sing thy grace; streams of mercy call for songs of loudest praise. Teach me some melodious measure sung by flaming tongues above; on the mountain-top I'll treasure signs of God's unchanging love. Here I find my greatest treasure: 'Hither by thy help I've come', and I hope, by thy good pleasure, safely to arrive at home. Jesus sought me when a stranger, wandering from the fold of God; He, to rescue me from danger, interposed his precious blood. O to grace how great a debtor daily I'm constrained to be! Let that grace, Lord, like a fetter,

bind my wandering heart to thee. Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love; take my heart, O take and seal it, seal it from thy courts above!

Words: Robert Robinson (1735-90) 618 AMHS Tune: Ebenezer: 474 NEH Music: from Anthem by Thomas Williams (1869-1944)

THE WELCOME

Dean of Winchester, Reverend Catherine Ogle gave a warm welcome to everyone who had come together on this special day to celebrate the life of Jane Austen. After introducing Jane’s descendants and special guests, she talked about Jane’s love for her family, her sweet nature, and how her novels had touched people around the world. She also talked of her faith, how important it was to her, and how Jane had said prayers every evening with her family. She said that it was wonderful to see so many people at this Memorial Service to share in the joy of Jane’s life.

We stood while the Precentor and Choir sang the PRECES and RESPONSES.

O Lord, open thou our lips; and our mouth shall show forth thy praise. O God, make speed to save us; O Lord, make haste to help us. Glory be to the Father: and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen. Praise ye the Lord. The Lord’s Name be praised.

We sat as the Choir sang the chosen PSALM 45.

My heart is inditing of a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made unto the King. My tongue is the pen: of a ready writer. Thou art fairer than the children of men:

full of grace are thy lips, because God hath blessed thee for ever. Gird thee with thy sword upon thy thigh, O thou most Mighty: according to thy worship and renown. Good luck have thou with thine honour: ride on, because of the word of truth, of meekness, and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things. Thy arrows are very sharp, and the people shall be subdued unto thee: even in the midst among the King's enemies. Thy seat, O God, endureth for ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity: wherefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. All thy garments smell of myrrh, aloes, and cassia: out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad. Kings' daughters were among thy honourable women: upon thy right hand did stand the queen in a vesture of gold, wrought about with divers colours.

Hearken, O daughter, and consider, incline thine ear: forget also thine own people, and thy father's house. So shall the King have pleasure in thy beauty: for he is thy Lord God, and worship thou him. And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift: like as the rich also among the people shall make their supplication before thee. The King's daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold. She shall be brought unto the King in raiment of needle-work: the virgins that be her fellows shall bear her company, and shall be brought unto thee. With joy and gladness shall they be brought: and shall enter into the King's palace. Instead of thy fathers thou shalt have children: whom thou mayest make princes in all lands. I will thy Name from one generation to another: therefore shall the people give thanks unto thee, world without end.

Glory be to the Father: and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.

Music: Sir Henry Walford Davies (1869-1941)

THE FIRST LESSON

Proverbs 4.1–9 Read by Canon Richard Lindley.

Listen, children, to a father’s instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight; for I give you good precepts: do not forsake my teaching. When I was a son with my father, tender, and my mother’s favourite, he taught me, and said to me,

Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live. Get wisdom; get insight: do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever else you get, get insight. Prize her highly, and she will exalt you; she will honour you if you embrace her. She will place on your head a fair garland; she will bestow on you a beautiful crown.

We stood as the Choir sang out MAGNIFICAT as bouquets of flowers were placed on Jane’s grave.

THE SECOND LESSON

1 Corinthians 2.6-13 read by the Dean.

Among the mature we do speak wisdom, though it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to perish. But we speak God’s wisdom, secret and hidden, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written, ‘What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him’— these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For what human being knows what is truly human except the human spirit that is within? So also no one comprehends what is truly God’s except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the gifts bestowed on us by God. And we speak of these things in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual things to those who are spiritual.

The choir sung the beautiful hymn NUNC DIMITTIS to the music of Henry Purcell, which is a hymn Jane would have known well.

Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace: according to thy word. For mine eyes have seen thy salvation: which thou hast prepared before the face of all people. To be a light to lighten the Gentiles: and to be the glory of thy people Israel. Glory be to the Father:

and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.

A READING FROM MR DARCY

The Canon Roland Riem introduced himself. He said he was probably not the Mr Darcy we had expected to see, nor hoped for, to the amusement of the audience. He promised to do his best to live up to our expectations, and would read Jane’s novel as best he could. The reading the Canon gave was a speech by Mr Darcy in Pride and Prejudice, Chapter 58.

I cannot give you credit for any philosophy of the kind. Your retrospections must be so totally void of reproach, that the contentment arising from them is not of philosophy, but, what is much better, of innocence. But with me, it is not so. Painful recollections will intrude which cannot, which ought not, to be repelled. I have been a selfish being all my life, in practice, though not in principle. As a child I was taught what was right, but I was not taught to correct my temper. I was given good principles, but left to follow them in pride and conceit. Unfortunately an only son (for many years an only child), I was spoilt by my parents, who, though good themselves (my father, particularly, all that was benevolent and amiable), allowed, encouraged, almost taught me to be selfish and overbearing; to care for none beyond my own family circle; to think meanly of all the rest of the world; to wish at least to think meanly of their sense and worth compared with my own. Such I was, from eight to eight and twenty; and such I might still have been but for you, dearest, loveliest Elizabeth! What do I not owe you! You taught me a

lesson, hard indeed at first, but most advantageous. By you, I was properly humbled. I came to you without a doubt of my reception. You shewed me how insufficient were all my pretensions to please a woman worthy of being pleased.

We stood to say THE APOSTLES’ CREED. This was followed by the Precentor and Choir singing the LESSER LITANY, LORD’S PRAYER, VESTICLES AND RESPONSES and COLLECTS. The COLLECTS closed the service, which were personal to Jane.

God our Father, who gave wisdom and insight to thy servant Jane Austen to fathom the depths of thy love and to understand thy design for the world thou hast made: grant us the help of thy Holy Spirit that we also may come to a full knowledge of thy purposes revealed in thy Son Jesus Christ, our Wisdom and our Life; who is alive and reigns with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. O God, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works do proceed; Give unto thy servants that peace which the world cannot give; that both our hearts may be set to obey thy commandments, and also that by thee we being defended from the fear of our enemies may our time in rest and quietness; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen. Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord; and by thy great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of thy only Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.

JANE AUSTEN PRAYER SUNG AS A HYMN

Give us grace almighty Father, so to pray as to be heard, to address thee with our hearts as with our lips, as thou deserves. Thou art everywhere here present and no secret can be hid. May we now and on each evening well consider our use of time, our prevailing words and actions, thoughts irreverent in the mind have we disobeyed commandments, or neglected tasks of thine? Turn our hearts to ask these questions, save from pride and vanity, to acquit ourselves of evil never thinking irreverently. Give a sense of all thy blessings, that we might live thankfully. Hear us Lord. Thou hast redeemed us,

thus thou taught us how to pray, thou hast given us many blessings and the comforts of this day, that we might not risk to lose them by indifference to thy way.

Words: An Evening Prayer of Jane Austen adapted by Canon Sue Wallace Tune: Westminster Abbey 205 NEH Music: Henry Purcell

FINAL PRAYER AND BLESSING

The Dean of Winchester read aloud one of Jane’s evening prayers.

For all whom we love and value, for every friend and connection, we equally pray; however divided and far asunder, we know that we are alike before thee, and under thine eye.

May we be equally united in thy faith and fear, in fervent devotion towards thee, and in thy merciful protection this night; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you this night and for evermore. Amen

The service closed with a reading of two versus of a poem Jane wrote for her friend Madam Lefroy.

To the memory of Mrs Lefroy by Jane Austen

Angelic Woman! past my power to praise In Language meet, thy Talents, Temper, mind. Thy solid Worth, thy captivating Grace!– Thou friend and ornament of Humankind!– ‘Tis past and gone–We meet no more below.

Short is the Cheat of Fancy o’er the Tomb. Oh! might I hope to equal Bliss to go! To meet thee Angel! in thy future home!–

As the congregation left the Service, we gathered around Jane’s grave. We ired the many flowers that decorated her grave stone and memorial plaque, and talked about how special and uplifting this day had been.

18 July 2017 around England

The events featured in this Chapter were held elsewhere on the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen’s death.

Engraving Jane on a £5 Banknote Jane Austen Centre, Bath Jane Austen at King’s College Old Library, Cambridge Unveiling Jane Market Square, Basingstoke

Engraving Jane

Bath

Jane Austen Centre, Bath Tuesday 18 July 2017 at 11.00am The Jane Austen Centre at Bath had planned their own special day of activities to reflect on Jane’s life and works. A minute silence officially marked the bicentenary of Jane’s death at 11.00am. This was followed by the world-renowned micro-artist Graham Short announcing his engraving of a tiny 5mm portrait of Jane on a £5 banknote. This was a special gift for the Jane Austen Centre to mark the 200 anniversary of Jane’s death. Framed in clear glass, visitors can see Jane’s miniature portrait on the clear polymer window from either side. Around her portrait, he has engraved a quote from Persuasion that reads, ‘You pierce my soul, I am half agony, half hope.’

This was the fifth Jane Austen banknote that Graham engraved. He had caused a media storm in December 2016 when he put into circulation four £5 banknotes that also had an engraving of Jane in the window. The etched classic quotes were from Emma, Mansfield Park and Pride and Prejudice. The Pride and Prejudice quote reads, ‘To be fond of dancing was a certain step towards falling in love.’

You can just see the etching of Jane’s head on the right of Big Ben clock tower. The four banknotes were spent in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Valued at around £50,000 each, three of the four have already been found by of the public. Two are in private hands and the owners wish to remain anonymous. The third was discovered in Ireland and returned to the Tony Huggins-Haig Gallery in Scotland who had collaborated on the project. On a small piece of paper was a hand-written note, ‘£5 note enclosed. I don’t need it at my time of life. Please use it to help young people, kindest regards J.’ It went on sale at an auction and raised an amazing £6,000 for the charity Children in Need.

Jane Austen Centre Bath

If you are in Bath, the Jane Austen Centre is a wonderful place to visit if you are a fan of her work. Located in a beautiful Georgian building, it is found a few doors up from a house that Jane rented and has the same layout. The collection covers the time Jane spent in Bath, and as many of the buildings and places Jane knew are still present today, it is a good idea to visit it first before setting out around the city. One of things that I enjoy seeing when I visit the Jane Austen Centre is the lifesized waxwork of Jane Austen. The likeness was achieved by a forensic artist using modern techniques, alongside a sculptor, costume designer, and artist. It took over two years to make. The model of Jane is remarkable, and shows her having Mrs Austen’s aquiline nose and sparkly brown eyes, just how I imagine Jane to be.

Wax Model of Jane Austen created using time technologies

About Graham Short

Born in Birmingham in 1946, Graham comes from a family of engravers. His ancestor Sir Francis Short was a renowned Victorian hand engraver, and it seems this talent runs through his family. After serving a six-year apprentice at the UK’s premier engraving company, Graham set up his business in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter in 1974. He soon built an impressive client list including the Royal Household, National Gallery, Scottish Parliament, Rolls Royce, gunmakers James Purdey & Sons, Chanel and Vivienne Westwood! Graham is famous for his miniature engravings, and the first exhibition he held was a great success. The entire collection sold out in seven minutes.

Jane Austen at King’s College

Cambridge

Old Library, King’s College, Cambridge Tuesday 18 July 2017 An exhibition to mark Jane Austen’s bicentenary year was hosted in the Old Library at King’s College, Cambridge, that has been in existence since the foundation of the College by Henry VI in 1441. A crowd of over a 1,000 visitors flocked to the Library to see the highlight of the exhibition, the rare chance to see the original manuscript of Jane Austen’s novel Sanditon. This is the unfinished novel that Jane called The Brothers, as there are two brothers at the heart of the story. Her family later renamed it Sanditon after the seaside town in which it is set. It can only be described as priceless, as she was writing this novel just before she died. The novel is written into three notebooks that Jane made herself, and they are seldom seen in public as the ink and paper she used are sensitive to light.

Of Special Interest

Alongside the manuscript of Sanditon, you can read the letter that Jane wrote on

1 April 1816 to her publisher Murray, one of the few that survive in one piece. First editions of Jane’s novels are displayed, plus a book from her library, and early translations of her novels. Around 40 other Jane Austen treasures highlight the Austen family’s connection with the College.

The Exhibition

This exhibition is their largest ever display of Jane Austen items. The beautifully designed old library is a perfect setting in which to view these historical pieces.

Jane Austen Manuscript of Sanditon

There was a remission in Jane’s illness at the end of 1816, and she felt well enough to work on another novel now known as Sanditon. She dated the first page of the manuscript when she started writing the novel, Jany: 27.—1817, and the date she stopped writing March 18. She had written about 24,000 words at that time, almost 12 chapters, and died exactly four months later.

Original manuscript of Sanditon written by Jane Austen

It was first published in 1925 under the title Fragment of a Novel, and the story is about a fishing village that the local residents want to turn into a coastal resort. The novel begins with a carriage accident.

A Gentleman & Lady travelling from Tunbridge towards that part of the Sussex Coast which lies between Hastings & E.Bourne, being introduced by Business to quit the high road, attempt a very rough Lane half rock, half sand, were overturned in toiling up its’ long ascent - The accident happened just beyond the only Gentleman’s House near the Lane - a House, which their Driver on being first required to take that direction, had conceived to be necessarily their object, & had with most unwilling Looks been constrained to .

The manuscript was inherited by Jane’s niece Anna Lefroy, with whom Jane had discussed the plot and how she thought the story would unfold. Anna left it to her granddaughter in her will, Jane’s great-niece Mary Isabella Lefroy, who in turn gifted it to King’s College in 1930. Mary did this in memory of her brother-in-law Augustus Austen Leigh (18401905) who had married her sister. Augustus had been Provost of the College from 1889 until his death in 1905. He also happened to be Jane’s great-nephew, the grandson of her brother James.

Mary Isabella Lefroy Letter to King’s College

Alongside the manuscript of Sanditon is the letter that Mary Lefroy wrote to the College that she enclosed along with the manuscript. She writes that she presents Sanditon to the College in memory of ‘the most popular Provost, and Provostess ‘Kings’ has ever had.’

Jane Austen Letter to Publisher John Murray

In 1815, Jane changed publishers from Egerton to John Murray who was better known and more successful. This letter is rare because it is one of the few letters that Jane wrote that has survived in one piece. Most of Jane’s letters she wrote were burned by Cassandra or have been cut into pieces and sold individually. As you can see, Jane often got her spellings mixed up for ‘ie’ and ‘ei’ and would underline the words she wanted to stress. She also liked dashes, and as the receiver of a letter paid the postage, wrote along and up and down the pages to use all the space available to share her news. The ‘late sad event’ she mentions was in reference to Henry whom she had nursed at his house in London as he suffered from a serious illness. Collier’s delivered letters and packages when they stopped at The Swan Hotel at Alton on the way to the south coast. This is where Jane would pick up her correspondence, and as the receiver, would pay the required postage. We love the way that Jane underlines certain words in her letters to stress her point!

Jane Austen Letter to John Murray, 1 April 1816

Jane Austen Letter Transcript.

April 1 1816. Dear Sir I return to you the Quarterly Reveiw with many Thanks. The Authoress of Emma has no reason I think to complain of her treatment in it - except in the total omission of Mansfield Park. -I cannot but be sorry that so clever a Man as the Reveiwer of Emma, should consider it as unworthy of being noticed. -You will be pleased to hear that I have received the Prince’s Thanks for the handsome Copy I sent him of Emma. Whatever he may think of my share of the Work, Yours seems to have been quite right.In consequence of the late sad Event in Henrietta St- I must request that if you should at any time have anything to communicate by Letter, you will be so good as to write by the post, directing to me (Miss J Austen) Chawton near Alton - and that for anything of a larger bulk, you will add to the same direction, by Collier’s Southampton CoachI remain, dear Sir, Yours very faithfully J. Austen Chawton April 1 1816

The Quarterly Review, Vol XIV (London, Murray 1816)

Alongside Jane’s letter to John Murray is the collected copies of The Quarterly Review in book format dated 1816. It is open at the same review that Jane refers to above.

First Editions

The First Edition of Emma belonged to King’s Provost George Thackeray (17771850). Jane’s novel Pride and Prejudice was originally titled First Impressions, and after being declined by the publisher Thomas Cadell, it was eventually published by Egerton in 1813. Mansfield Park shows it was written ‘By the Author of Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice’ and this first edition was also printed for Egerton in 1814.

Emma, Printed in Philadelphia, USA

Jane was sadly not aware that one of her novels had been published in America during her lifetime. This First Edition of Emma is ‘by the author of Pride and Prejudice’ and was printed in Philadelphia.

It is one of only four known copies published in 1816 by ‘M. Carey, No. 121, Chestnut Street’ and sold by ‘Wells & Lilly, Boston’. The rest of Jane’s novels appeared in the USA around the 1830s.

Routledge’s Railway Library Copy of Pride and Prejudice

Routledge’s Railway Library added Pride and Prejudice to their series in 1849 and priced it at one shilling. They kept a limited stock of books, so to have Pride and Prejudice included in their selection shows how popular it was at the time.

Orlando Furioso

This is Jane’s own copy of Orlando Furioso from her library, which she has signed on the fly-leaf.

Orlando Furioso belonged to Jane Austen

The Austen Leigh family sold it indirectly or directly to Virginia Woolf, who thought Jane’s novels were ‘genius’. Virginia has scrawled inside ‘John Maynard Keynes’ and dated it ‘Christmas 1936’ so we assume she gave it to him as a Christmas gift.

Persuasion, Translated in French

The first of Jane’s novels to be published that credited her as the author was in . Persuasion was published in 1821 as La Famille Elliot ou L'Ancienne Inclination. Although the print says it is a Nouvelle Edition (New Edition) it is a Second Edition that was printed in in 1828. It reads that the Swiss novelist Isabelle de Montolieu translated the novel.

The New Bath Guide 1807

The New Bath Guide is dated 1807 and contains drawings of Bath as Jane would have known it. It was one of the first of its kind to Bath as a resort spa. The image shown is of the Pump Room, a venue for fashionable people that Jane writes about in her novels.

The New Bath Guide , Christopher Anstey, 1807

Persuasion and Northanger Abbey Volume

Alongside The New Bath Guide is a copy of Jane’s novel Persuasion, opened at Chapter 3 which mentions Bath and the Pump Room. The first edition contains both Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, published posthumously in a fourvolume set in December 1817 although the title page reads 1818.

Persuasion and Northanger Abbey , Jane Austen, 1818

The front of the book contains a biographical notice from Jane’s brother Henry in which he reveals Jane as the author for the very first time.

Unveiling Jane

Basingstoke

Market Square, Basingstoke Tuesday 18 July 2017 at 2.00pm In October 1800, Jane had described visiting the Basingstoke Assembly Halls in the Market Square in a letter to Cassandra.

It was a pleasant ball, and still more good than pleasant, for there were nearly sixty people, and sometimes we had seventeen couple. The Portsmouths, Dorchesters, Boltons, Portals, and Clerks were there.. I danced nine dances out of ten.

Jane was returning to the Market Square as an (almost) life-sized bronze statue, marking the 200 anniversary of her death. Unveiled by the Countess of Portsmouth, the statue stands outside the Willis Museum in the Market Place.

The unveiling of Jane Austen statue by Adam Roud on 18 July 2017

Jane had spent the first 25 years of her life at Steventon in the Hampshire countryside. She often visited the larger nearby town of Basingstoke for dances and shopping, and frequently attended social gatherings at the Assembly Rooms and visited family friends at The Vyne, Oakley Hall and Ashe House. Local sculptor Adam Roud was born and bred in Ellisfield near Basingstoke and was commissioned to create the statue by the Hampshire Cultural Trust. It had taken five months to make at a cost of £100,000. Cast in bronze, it weighs over 100lbs and was a challenge to transport into place. Adam said that he felt the statue represented Jane as a daughter and a sister as she walked through the town. When interviewed at the unveiling he said, ‘We have all the hoo-ha about Jane Austen the author - and rightly so - but she’s a real person, and that made me a bit more connected to the idea of her just walking here.’ The Willis Museum was once Basingstoke’s Town Hall which replaced the Mote Hall where Jane danced.

Adam has also created a limited number of small statues of Jane writing at her desk that you can purchase. One of which was next to Jane’s grave in Winchester Cathedral in 2017.

Special Exhibitions

This Chapter features the key exhibitions and events that took place in 2017 to celebrate the 200 year anniversary of Jane Austen’s death.

Jane Austen Among Family and Friends British Library, London 10 January to 19 February 2017 41 Objects Jane Austen House Museum 10 March to 16 December 2017 Education Jane Austen’s England Winchester College 24 April to 21 August 2017 The Mysterious Miss Austen Winchester Discovery Centre, Winchester 13 May to 24 July 2017 Jane’s Winchester Malady and Medicine

Winchester Discovery Centre, Winchester 13 May to 24 July 2017 Jane and her Alton Apothecary Allen Gallery, Alton 3 June to 20 August 2017 Fickle Fortunes: Jane Austen and Germaine de Staël Chawton House Library, Hampshire 12 June to 24 September 2017 Jane Austen by the Sea The Royal Pavilion, Brighton 17 June 2017 to 8 January 2018 Sitting With Jane Basingstoke, Hampshire 17 June to 30 August 2017 Which Jane Austen? War, Empire and Business Bodleian Library, Oxford 23 June to 29 October 2017 The Navy at the Time of Jane Austen: Fighting, Flirting and Fortune

Gosport Gallery, Hampshire 15 July to 20 September 2017 Retail and Romance: Jane Goes to the Ball Willis Museum, Basingstoke 29 July to 7 October 2017

Jane Austen Among Family and Friends

London

British Library, London 10 January - 19 February 2017 To mark the bicentenary of the death of Jane Austen, the British Library was one of the first exhibitions to mark this special occasion, opening in January 2017.

The items on display were brought together by the British Library and the Bodleian Library, some of which were reunited for the first time in over 40 years. It is here you can see the joys and sorrows that shaped Jane's life.

Of Special Interest

All three books of Jane Austen’s Juvenilia are shown together, which rarely happens. A letter Jane wrote about the death of her father, the travel slope she was overjoyed to receive on her 19th birthday, and a handwritten note of the from Jane’s family and friends for Mansfield Park. The exhibition closes with the last letter Jane wrote before she died.

The Exhibition

The British Library is one of the largest libraries in the world, with around 170200 million items in its collection. The Jane Austen exhibition is in the Sir John Ritblat Gallery, where you can also find historical manuscripts from Shakespeare, Dickens and Charlotte Brontë alongside a Gutenberg Bible and Beatles memorabilia. A dedicated room is devoted to Magna Carta. Three items presented in the Jane Austen Among Family and Friends exhibition were from the British Library’s own collection. This includes Jane’s travel writing slope, and two of her Juvenilia. The rest are on loan from private collectors and Jane Austen charities.

Juvenilia

Jane’s three notebooks are collectively known as Juvenilia. This is where Jane wrote her stories, plays and poems for family entertainment in her teenage years, and show her early talent and sense of fun. Jane transcribed twenty-nine pieces of work into the three notebooks shown here, most of which she dedicated to family and friends. None of the original pieces survived, as she probably destroyed the originals once they had been copied or distributed to the friends and family they were dedicated to. She started writing at age 12 or 13, and was 17 years old when she added the final piece in 1793. They would almost be a complete collection except for Volume the Second which has had twelve pages removed at some point. They were meant for personal pleasure within Jane's social circle, and as such, they were unknown to the public for many years. Volume the First is a collection of sixteen short fictional stories, verses, plays, and written fragments. This notebook is opened at a story Jane dedicates to her sister called ‘the beautiful Cassandra’ which she jokingly describes as ‘a novel in 12 Chapters’ although each Chapter is just 1 or 2 sentences long. The story starts with ‘Cassandra was the daughter and only daughter of a celebrated milliner in Bond Street. Her father was of noble Birth, being the near relation of the Duchess of ~’s Butler.’ The heroine falls in love, but not with the viscount in the story. The object of her desire is a bonnet that she steals from a shop before going on to a confectioners where she ‘devoured six ices, refused to pay for them, knocked down the Pastry Cook, and walked away.’ Volume the Second (1790-1791) is thought to be the most interesting of the three notebooks as it contains playful entertainment in the stories of Love and Freindship, History of England and Lesley Castle.

Jane announces herself in the title of the story, ‘The History of England.. By a partial, prejudiced and ignorant Historian.’ She pokes fun at the history books she was forced to read at school, including The History of England by Oliver Goldsmith. This notebook is in such good condition that you can clearly read Jane’s handwriting and see what a talented artist Cassandra was. It contains thirteen illustrations of Kings and Queens in the form of circular heads that were skilfully drawn and painted by Cassandra. It has been suggested that Cassandra used the Austen family as her models, including her brother Frank who has a profile very much like Cassandra’s drawing of Henry the 8th!

Francis (Frank) Austen, Jane and Cassandra’s Brother

Illustration of Henry 8th, Cassandra Austen in Volume the Second, Jane Austen

Jane's mother is thought to be the model for the portrait of Queen Elizabeth I, and the image of Queen Mary I could be Jane! In Volume the Third (1792-1793), Jane has written on the first leaf ‘Jane Austen - May 6 1792’ which is probably the date she received the notebook, perhaps as a gift from her father as Volume the Second had been. This notebook contains Evelyn, a story Jane dedicated to her close friend Mary Lloyd, 'As a small testimony of the gratitude I feel for your late generosity to me in finishing my muslin Cloak.’ And an unfinished story titled Catharine of the Bower, where the heroine has the misfortune of losing her parents at a young age and is sent away to be brought up by a Maiden Aunt. Jane dedicated the story to Cassandra and dated it August 1792.

Jane Austen Poem to Francis Austen

The letter shown was written by Jane Austen is one of her most popular. She wrote it on July 26 1809, and mentions her nephew and the move to Chawton Cottage. The lengthy poem for her brother Frank is to tell him the joyful news that he was a father. His wife Mary had safely given birth to his first son.

My dearest Frank, I wish you joy Of Mary's safety with a Boy, Whose birth has given little pain

Compared with that of Mary JaneMay he a growing Blessing prove, And well deserve his Parents love!

The poem continues with good wishes for the baby, and ends with the news that the Austen ladies are moving to Chawton Cottage.

As for ourselves we're very well As unaffected pros will tell Cassandra's pen will paint our state, The many comforts that await Our Chawton home, how much we find Already in it, to our mind; And how convinced, that when complete It will all other Houses beat.

Jane Austen Letter to Francis Austen

This is the letter that Jane wrote to her brother Frank telling him of their father's death at Bath, and of her sorrow at his ing. Written on the evening of 22 January 1805 from Green Park Buildings at Bath, it was sent to Portsmouth when Frank had returned to port.

Jane affectionately called him, ‘My dearest Frank’ and writes, ‘We have lost an Excellent Father.- An illness of only eight & forty hours carried him off yesterday morning between ten & eleven.’ It seems to have been a short and painless death, as she continues, ‘Except the restlessness and confusion of high fever, he did not suffer and he was mercifully spared from knowing that he was about to quit objects so beloved, and so...cherished as his wife and children ever were.’ The funeral took place on Saturday at Walcot Church, the same church George was married in many years before. Jane finishes the letter saying that even in death her father had ‘the sweet, benevolent smile which always distinguished him.’

Jane Austen's Travel Writing Slope

This handsome mahogany travel slope was purchased from Ring Brothers at Basingstoke in December 1794 by Jane’s father for her 19th birthday. Seeing where Jane may have written the first drafts of her novels and her many letters is very special. The slope sits comfortably on top of a table, and has a space for an inkwell and compartments where personal items such as papers and quills can be stored. It folds up into a neat lockable box. The pairs of glasses shown are thought to belong to Jane, as it was known she needed glasses for reading. To Jane’s dismay, it was nearly lost in 1798 when it was accidentally placed in a horse-drawn carriage heading for Dover. She often took it with her when she went to London to negotiate with her publisher, and when visiting her brother Edward at Godmersham Park. Included here is an impressive painting of Godmersham Park by John Skinner. This is the estate in Kent that Jane's brother Edward inherited, and where she spent many pleasant days looking after her nieces and nephews and writing in the library.

Mansfield Park Reviews

Jane had noted onto these sheets of paper the opinions of her family and friends for her third novel Mansfield Park, published in 1814. It reveals how much Jane cared about the opinions of others. Jane has written, ‘My Mother - not lkeed it so well as P&P. - Thought Fanny insipid Enjoyed Mrs. Norris -’ Her sister enjoyed it and said she was ‘fond of Fanny’ and ‘delighted much in Mr Rushworth’s stupidity.’ A family friend, Augusta Branstone had thought Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice were ‘downright nonsense,’ and expected to like Mansfield Park more. She preferred it to Jane's other books, although Jane noted that she ‘Imagined that might be her want of taste – as she does not understand wit.’

Jane Austen Letter to James Edward Austen

The exhibition closes with the last of Jane’s surviving letters. It is addressed to her fondest nephew Edward, ‘James Edward from Mrs Davids, College St, Winton, Tuesday May 27.-.’ Her writing is now more of a scrawl, as Jane tries to reassure her nephew that she is getting better, ‘I am gaining strength very fast’ she claims, ‘I am now out of bed from 9 in the morng to 10 at night - Upon the Sopha t’is true.’ She tells him about visits from her family and friends, and how Cassandra has nursed her, ‘God bless you my dear Edward. If ever you are ill, may you be as tenderly nursed as I have been.’ She died two months later.

Although this is a fairly small exhibition, it is a unique opportunity to see Jane’s early work, letters to her family, and personal possessions together that were so important to Jane’s life. Jane’s writing slope belongs to Joan Austen Leigh, the great grand-daughter of Jane’s nephew Edward. Jane Austen’s Early Works are available to read on the British Library website through the Virtual Books section. Photography is not permitted.

41 Objects

Chawton

Jane Austen’s House Museum, Chawton 10 March - 16 December 2017 Jane was only 41 when she died in 1817, and the Jane Austen in 41 Objects told the story of Jane’s life and legacy through 41 items held in the Jane Austen House Museum collection. Taking the form of a revolving exhibition, a different object was displayed in the Museum and profiled on the Museum website each week. Personal thoughts accompanied a photograph of the item from a range of guest authors. The final object was displayed on the anniversary of Jane’s birthday, 16 December 2017. The items featured here include Jane’s Ring, Needle Case, Cup and Ball, Sanditon Manuscript in Cassandra’s Hand, Topaz Crosses, Lottery Fish, Winchester Verses, Martha Lloyd’s Recipe Book, Winston Churchill Memoirs, and many others. The Jane Austen’s House Museum kindly loaned out several items in their care to the various Jane Austen 200 exhibitions throughout the year. Many of the items listed can be seen on display at the Museum when you visit today.

Jane Austen’s 41 Objects

1. Jane Austen’s Writing Table, early 18th Century 12-sided walnut table belonging to Jane Austen. On permanent display.

Jane’s writing table in the window of Chawton Cottage where Jane wrote and rewrote her novels.

Jane’s writing flourished whilst at Chawton, and she wrote daily at this 12-sided walnut table. She wore spectacles and had trouble with her eyes, so it was placed by the window for light. Jane would rest her writing slope on top of the table to write. This small and unassuming table was gifted to the Jane Austen Society in 1957 by Brigadier Bradford. Only the table top is original as indicated on the handwritten note by Montague Knight. 2. Sanditon, the manuscript copy of Sanditon by Jane Austen in Cassandra Austen’s hand. On display in March and April.

Jane’s last novel is now known as Sanditon which she began writing in January 1817, but abandoned incomplete on 18 March as her illness worsened. Jane’s original working draft of Sanditon is on display at Kings College, Cambridge. The manuscript shown here is a tied copy in three booklets written by Jane’s sister Cassandra. They were given to Jane’s brother Francis around 1831. 3. Reverend George Austen’s Bookcase, George III mahogany bureau bookcase belonging to Jane’s father. On permanent display. Jane would have known this beautiful 18th century bookcase well from when the family lived at Steventon. Jane’s father owned around 500 books, most of which had to be sold when the family moved to Bath in 1801. The desk remained at Steventon Rectory until the 1820’s when it was moved to Steventon Manor when the Rectory was pulled down. It was purchased by the Jane Austen Society in 1950 and can be found in the Drawing Room of the Museum. 4. Sense and Sensibility, three volume 1811 first edition of Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen. On permanent display. Jane began writing Sense and Sensibility in 1797, which was probably a rewrite of an earlier story called Elinor and Marianne.

Jane returned to the novel when she moved to Chawton, and some suggest that Chawton Cottage inspired the layout of Barton Cottage in the novel. It was published by Egerton on commission (at Jane’s expense) so she could keep the copyright. On 31 October 1811, the Morning Chronicle d the book as a new novel by ‘A Lady’. This copy was purchased by Edward Carpenter from Sotheby’s Auction House, and was bequeathed to the Jane Austen Trust upon his death in 1969. 5. Silhouettes of Reverend George and Mrs Austen, Jane Austen’s mother and father. On display in March and April. These silhouettes were ed down through the Austen family and have been on display since 1951. Jane’s father studied at Oxford and became the Proctor at St John’s College, where his good looks earned him the nickname ‘The Handsome Proctor’.

George Austen’s father died prematurely, so his rich cousin Thomas Knight ed him financially with his studies. Jane’s mother Cassandra was related to the Duke of Chandos and descended from the Leighs of Stoneleigh Abbey in Warwickshire. She was very proud of her family background and aristocratic nose, which you can see clearly in her silhouette. 6. Muslin Shawl, thought to be embroidered by Jane Austen. On display March to May, October to December.

Family history says that Jane embroidered this shawl, and like all women of her time and class, Jane learnt how to sew in childhood and was particularly good at it. Edward ed his aunt Jane’s sewing skills. ‘Her needlework both plain and ornamental was excellent, and might almost have put a sewing machine to shame. She was considered especially great in satin stitch.’ Satin stitch was a pattern of small crosses scattered over a shawl, such as this example of hand-woven Indian muslin. It was a valued item of clothing that has been carefully worn and treasured. 7. Needle Case, Early 19th century Needle Case, worked on by Jane Austen. On permanent display.

This beautiful needle case was a gift from Jane to her niece Louisa Knight, Edward’s daughter. The outer part is made of card, edged in gold paper with a felt insert to hold the needles, tied closed with a yellow ribbon. ‘Esteem the Giver’ is printed on the oval. The gift was wrapped in tissue paper on which Jane has written ‘with Aunt Jane’s love.’ 8. Cup and Ball, George III ivory ‘bilbocatch’ game. On permanent display.

From the French ‘Bilboquet’, ‘Bilbocatch’ is the game of cup and ball and this one dates from the time of George III. After the death of their mother Elizabeth, Jane’s nephews Edward and George visited Jane at Southampton. She writes in a letter to Cassandra, ‘We do not want amusement; Bilbocatch, at which George is indefatigable; spillikins, paper ships, riddles, conundrums, and cards, with watching the flow and ebb of the river, and now and then a stroll out, keep us well employed.’ Jane would have played with this cup and ball at Chawton or Godmersham, and according to James Edward, his Aunt Jane was particularly good at it! 9. Mansfield Park, two volumes 1832 first American edition. Begun in 1811 and published in 1814, Mansfield Park was the first of Jane’s novels written in its entirety at Chawton. This copy was printed by Carey & Lea in Philadelphia in 1832, and it is the first American reprint of Mansfield Park. It also predates the reprinting of Mansfield Park in England.

US Edition of Mansfield Park printed in 1832 in Philadelphia

Although this copy has its original drab boards, it was printed on thin, poorquality paper, and is stained and weathered after two centuries of wear! 10. Topaz Crosses, George III topaz crosses belong to Jane and Cassandra Austen. On permanent display. The two topaz crosses were gifts for Jane and Cassandra from their youngest brother Charles, ‘our own particular little brother’ as Jane fondly described him. Charles bought the crosses with the prize money he received from the Navy for capturing an enemy ship.

Jane wrote to Cassandra 26 May 1801, ‘Of what avail is it to take prizes if he lays out the produce in presents to his Sisters. He has been buying Gold chains and Topaze Crosses for us - he must be well scolded.. I shall write again by this post to thank and reproach him. We shall be unbearably fine..’

Jane was so pleased with the gift that she included the event in her novel Mansfield Park, when Fanny receives a very pretty cross from her sailor brother William. 11. Letter: Jane Austen to Cassandra Austen, 2 March 1814, Jane describes brother Henry’s reaction to Mansfield Park. Jane was in London for the typesetting and proofing of Mansfield Park, which took some time. This meant that it was possible for her to go shopping and to the theatre. Written from brother Henry’s house at 10 Henrietta Street, Covent Garden, Jane mentions that Henry understands the characters and likes Fanny. She also notes how hard it is to get seats at Drury Lane Theatre, where the actor Edmund Kean had received rave reviews. 12. 1917 Memorial Plaque, Centenary plaque on the exterior of Jane Austen’s House Museum. On permanent display.

This plaque was unveiled on 18 July 1917, the centenary of Jane’s death, and is placed next to the original front door of Chawton Cottage. It was conserved in time for the bicentenary of Jane’s death in 2017 by funds donated by JASNA. It was designed by Ellen Hill, the sister of Constance Hill (one of Jane’s biographers) and created by the architect Charles Evelyn Simmons. The memorial represents personal objects and places connected with Jane’s life. The quote, ‘Such art as hers can never grow old’ is from the literary critic George Henry Lewes. 13. Donkey Carriage, made to Edward’s order soon after the Austen ladies arrived at Chawton. On permanent display. This two-seated carriage was a simple form of transport that was easily managed. Edward ordered the carriage for the Austen ladies to use at Chawton, and had it painted black with a red lining on the s which implied a family of status. The donkey that pulled this carriage grazed in the fields behind Chawton Cottage, and cost less to own than a horse as no stables were needed. Jane’s niece Caroline who often stayed at Chawton ed, ‘I think my Grandmother seldom used it, but Aunt Jane found it a help to herself getting into Alton.’ The journey would have taken around 15 minutes, and as a two seater, you can just imagine Jane and Cassandra riding into town!

The Austen ladies donkey carriage used to take them into Alton when the weather was too bad to walk

14. Pride & Prejudice, 1813 First Edition of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (in three bound volumes) that belonged to Caroline Lamb. On display in June and July. Published anonymously, a male reader declared that Pride and Prejudice was ‘much too clever to have been written by a woman.’ The three volumes on display here were owned by Caroline Lamb, a woman who became the author of four of her own novels. She may have seen in the charming Mr Wickham something of her former lover, the poet Lord Byron. 15. Lottery Fish, early 19th century fish shaped game counters. On display in June and July.

In Jane’s day, families played many games but most often cards. They used fish and other shapes as gaming chips or counters for betting. Jane mentions lottery tickets in Pride and Prejudice, which was a game of chance, not skill, and involved betting on matching cards. The fish were named after lotteries popular in Regency England, with the first recorded state lottery starting in 1694. 16. Knight Family Wedgwood Dinner Service, Three pieces of early 19th century Wedgwood dinner service with Knight family crest. On permanent display.

On display in the dining parlour are three pieces of an early 19th century dinner service, which is part of a twenty-piece setting. Edward bought the dinner service in 1813 from Josiah Wedgwood and Sons, who had been trading since 1759. Jane mentions its purchase in a letter to Cassandra dated 16 September 1813. Writing from Henry’s house in London she says, ‘We then went to Wedgwoods where my Br & Fanny chose a Dinner Set. -I believe the pattern is a small lozenge purple between Lines of narrow Gold -& it is to have the Crest.’ The Knight coat of arms is made up of lozenges and their family crest is a Greyfriar monk! 17. Painting of Chawton House and Church, Mid 19th century oil painting. On permanent display. Chawton House was inherited by Jane Austen’s brother Edward, who was adopted by Thomas and Elizabeth Knight. He inherited the house as part of the Hampshire estate, although Chawton House was never his principal home as he preferred to live at Godmersham Park in Kent. Edward did bring his family to visit his mother and sisters during the holidays, and also arranged to let some of the rooms to Frank and his family whilst he was home from sea. In this 19th century painting, Chawton House is nestled behind the trees with St Nicholas Church in the foreground. 18. Letter: Jane Austen to Francis Austen, 26 July 1809, draft copy of a poemletter from Jane to her brother. On permanent display. This is a poem-letter written by Jane to her brother Frank (Francis) who was away on naval duty in China. Jane continued the family tradition of writing light, comic verses to amuse her family, and this letter shares the good news that his son Francis William was born on 12 July. The closing lines share the good news

that the Austen ladies have been offered a home of their own at Chawton, ‘it will all other Houses beat.’ 19. Winchester Verses, 15 July 1817, Manuscript dictated by Jane Austen, transcribed by Cassandra Austen. On display in July and August. Jane dictated this poem to Cassandra just days before she died. 15 July was the date of Winchester Races, a fashionable day of gambling and revelry, ‘The Lord and the Ladies were satine’d and ermined’. It was also Saint Swithin’s Day, a 9th century bishop and a patron saint of Winchester who is buried in Winchester Cathedral. He is linked with the idea that if it rains on Saint Swithin’s Day, it will continue to rain for 40 days and 40 nights. The weather on that day in 1817 was notably wet, ‘You shall meet with your curse in your pleasure, set off for your course, I’ll pursue with my rain.’ 20. Mourning Brooch, containing a lock of Jane Austen’s hair. This mourning brooch is especially relevant in 2017, and marks in a particularly sad way a memory of Jane. As was the custom at that time, soon after Jane died Cassandra cut off several locks of her hair for family mementos.

There was a growing industry in memorial pieces for hair which was ‘styled’ and then installed behind glass to be worn in a brooch or ring. It was not restricted to the dead, however, as sometimes a lock of hair was given as a token of love. In Sense and Sensibility, Elinor and her mother are persuaded of Willoughby’s serious intentions when Margaret says, ‘I am sure they will be married soon for he had got a lock of her hair.’ It held great significance in the 19th century, and this small piece of jewellery offers us a connection with the living woman and a reminder of her loss as a sister and a friend. 21. Letter: Cassandra Austen to Fanny Knight 29 July 1817, Jane’s sister writes to her niece, discussing Jane’s death and funeral. On display from March to May. In this letter, Cassandra tells her niece Fanny Knight about Jane’s funeral and asks her how she would like her lock of Jane’s hair to be mounted. Fanny’s reply, a few days later, was that she would like the lock of hair set in an oval brooch with pearls, bearing Jane’s name and the date of her death. Twenty years after Jane’s death in 1837, Cassandra’s niece Anna Lefroy and her teenage daughter Fanny-Caroline visited Chawton, and said that they never forgot how Cassandra spoke of her long-dead sister, ‘There was such an accent of living love in her voice.’ 22. Hugh Thomson’s Illustrations of Pride and Prejudice, from the 1894 first illustrated edition of Jane Austen’s novel.

This 1894 ‘Peacock’ edition of Pride and Prejudice was published by George Allen and was the first fully illustrated edition of Jane’s most popular novel. This was not the first attempt to add illustrations to Jane’s novels, but with 160 illustrations, it was the first to fully integrate them throughout the novel. Hugh Thomson was best known for his pen and ink illustrations, and would often visit the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum to research costume and furniture styles. Although other illustrators followed, the 1894 George Allen edition fetches a much higher price in secondhand bookshops today. 23. Danish Translation of Pride and Prejudice, Stolthed og Fordom, 1904 manuscript translation of Pride and Prejudice. On display in August and September. Translations of Jane’s work appeared as early as 1813, with extracts of Pride and Prejudice being published in a French periodical not long after it was published in English. This is a handwritten translation in Danish, written in 1904 made by two Danish sisters for their mother who wanted to read the book her daughters loved so much. It comprises of seventeen paper booklets bound with ribbon, encased in an embroidered linen cover. A published translation did not appear until 192830. 24. Letter: Mrs Austen to Mrs Walter, 20 August 1775, Mrs Austen mentions that she will be going into ‘confinement’ in November 1775 to prepare for the birth of Jane. On 20 August 1775, Jane’s mother Cassandra sat down at Steventon Rectory to write this letter to her sister-in-law Susannah Walter who lived in Kent. She was five months pregnant with Jane, and although she says in the letter she is still ‘nimble and active’ would soon be preparing for the birth. This is a cheerful letter containing a delightful first reference to Jane Austen.

25. Jane Austen’s Ring, Gold ring set with turquoise stone, belonged to Jane Austen. On permanent display.

Jane’s ring has a vibrant turquoise stone set in a small gold band and is thought to have been made between 1750 and 1800. Simplistic in design, it shows how dainty her hands would have been. Cassandra kept Jane’s ring until her own death when it was ed it down through the Austen family. At its auction by Sotheby’s in 2012, Kelly Clarkson, the American singer, bought the ring for just over £150,000. It then became the subject of an export ban and funds were raised to keep the ring in England. Kelly Clarkson, a Jane Austen fan herself, generously agreed to sell the ring to the Jane Austen’s House Museum along with the box it came in and letters of authenticity. A wonderful piece of history, it has a hint of mystery as to who gave Jane the ring. 26. Clementi Piano, 1813 square piano, similar to one owned by Jane Austen whilst at Chawton. On permanent display. As a young girl, Jane was encouraged to play music by her father. By 1796, the family had bought a piano and Jane was taking lessons from George Chart, an assistant organist at Winchester Cathedral and Master of Music at Winchester College. Music is an important element in all of Jane’s novels, used both as a plot device and to describe many of her characters. Whilst at Chawton, she rented a similar instrument and planned to buy ‘as good a pianoforte as can be got for thirty guineas’ a considerable sum at the time. The piano on display is of a slightly later date than Jane’s, but is likely to be of a similar style and quality.

27. Austen Family Music Book, ‘Juvenile Songs & Lessons’, manuscript sheet

music book for piano, copied out by Jane Austen.

Jane Austen’s Music Book in which she copied out the musical notes by hand

Jane loved music and was taught by older female relatives from around seven or eight years old, the age that Catherine Morland begins her lessons in Northanger Abbey. Although Jane’s piano and printed music were sold when the family moved to Bath, Jane kept her own copybooks which had taken hours to write. Jane’s niece Caroline ed that whilst at Chawton Cottage, ‘Much that she played from was manuscript, copied out by herself - and so neatly and correctly, that it was as easy to read as print.’ Jane’s piano book includes the boldly inscribed title, ‘Juvenile Songs & Lessons’ while underneath Jane has written ‘For young beginners who don’t know enough to practise.’

28. Ten Pound Note from Henry Austen’s Alton Bank.

A Bank Note from Henry Austen’s Alton Bank

The partners names are listed at the foot of this unissued note from the Alton Bank, ‘Austen, Gray and Vincent’. The ‘Austen’ was Jane’s brother Henry who set up the bank in 1801 with his militia friends Henry Maunde and James Tilson. He encouraged his brother Francis to them, and his name appeared on the banknotes they issued, including this one here. The bank had offices in London, and in 1806 opened a branch on the High Street in Alton, which is where this one was issued. In 1815 the war was over, and a financial slump resulted in the banknotes being worthless. By March 1816 Henry was bankrupt. The family lost a substantial amount of money. Jane lost £13 profit from Mansfield Park, Edward lost £20,000 and an uncle £10,000. Jane’s affection for Henry never faltered, and she left him £50 in her will when she died. 29. Emma, Three Volume 1816 First Edition of Emma by Jane Austen belonged to Francis Austen.

Emma, Jane’s fourth published novel is about secrets, social status, marriage and mistaken judgements. Saved by her friendship with her friend Mr Knightley, she discovers that she cannot live without him, and loves him. Jane had twelve copies of the First Edition to give away to family and friends. This copy she gave to her brother Francis, which he took to sea with him and read many times. He said he liked it so much better than Mansfield Park. 30. Alphabet Letters, Early 19th century ivory box containing ivory alphabet letters. Dainty and delicate, this jumble of ivory letters enclosed in this veneered box would have used to play a variety of word games. Some were used to teach children to read and write, or simply played for pleasure. Jane mentions alphabet letters in Emma when the flirtatious Frank Churchill plays a trick on Jane Fairfax, using the letters to spell out ‘Dixon’, so Emma thinks Jane loves Mr Dixon. 31. Clueless Doll, Late 1990s Clueless merchandise ‘Cher’ doll. The extent of Jane Austen’s legacy today is driven in no small part by the success of modern adaptations and their widespread appeal. Many people developed an iration of Jane’s work after watching the 1995 BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, no doubt aided on its way by a wet shirt. And in 1995, the story of Emma was rewritten for the modern world by director Amy Heckerling in her much loved teen movie Clueless. The successful Bridget Jones Diary series followed, and the more unusual Pride and Prejudice and Zombies have been hitting the big screens. The modern retelling of Jane’s work is big business. 32. Elegant Extracts, 1801 edition of Elegant Extracts given by Jane Austen to her niece Anna Austen (later Lefroy).

Elegant Extracts Collection by Vicesimus Knox published by Charles Dilly in 1801. Jane has written comments on selected ages.

Elegant Extracts is a collection of 18th century sermons, histories, literature and style guides. Jane mentions the book in her novel, Emma, as Robert Martin reads it at night to his mother and sisters as a sign of his efforts for selfimprovement. This book was gifted to Jane’s niece Anna in 1801 on her 8th birthday. She was only 2 years old when her mother died in 1795, and she would stay at Steventon Rectory for months at a time until James, her father married Martha’s sister Mary. Jane has written comments on ages from Hume’s History of England and Robertson’s History of Scotland. As we know, Jane was a great fan of the Stuarts! 33. Bakehouse Copper, used to boil water, stored in the Bakehouse at the Museum. On permanent display. The Copper would have been installed in the Bakehouse as part of the outbuildings around 1690. It was part of the farm at the time named ‘Petty Johns’. The Copper was a large pot built into the structure that used for cooking, boiling water, washing, and meat processing. For festivals and special occasions, the coppers were used for the communal cooking of large puddings, with cottagers bringing their own puddings to be cooked together. 34. Memoir and Sermon Scrap, Jane Austen manuscript fragment and 1870 first edition of A Memoir of Jane Austen by James Edward Austen Leigh. On display October to December. James Edward Austen Leigh’s A Memoir of Jane Austen was published in 1870. It is the first major biography of Jane Austen, written by her nephew with help

from his sisters Anna and Caroline. It describes Jane in her thirties living in Chawton, when they were all still children. These precious first hand insights have informed subsequent biographies. The scrap shown here is in Jane’s own handwriting that she copied from a sermon that her brother James gave. Dated 1814, it reads, ‘Men May get into a habit of repeating the words of our Prayers by rote, perhaps without thoroughly understanding - certainly without thoroughly feeling their full force & meaning.’ This scrap echoes a discussion in Mansfield Park, Chapter 34, on the ‘art of reading’ and its importance to the modern clergyman, and raises the possibility that Jane’s novel inspired James to write this sermon. 35. Martha Lloyd’s Recipe Book, Recipe book by Jane Austen’s friend and fellow resident of Chawton Cottage, from about 1809 to 1829. On display for the month of November.

Martha Lloyd lived with Jane, Cassandra and their mother at Chawton Cottage and this was her recipe book. The food inside seems rather plain with recipes for ‘Hogs Puddings’, ‘Cabbage Pudding’ and ‘Vegetable Pie’ are included along with ‘Sausages’ and ‘Toasted Cheese’. Not all are recipes for food, as there are instructions for household products like ‘Varnish for Tables’ and concoctions ‘To Clean White Silk Stockings’. The recipe that particularly resonates, given that this book was used in Jane’s home, is the one for ink made from the galls from an oak tree. 36. Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, Four volume 1817 First Edition of Jane Austen’s novel, belonged to Edward Knight. We can imagine how Jane’s family felt holding their first copies of her posthumously published novels. The open chapter must have evoked memories of Steventon, and of a daughter and sister who we can guess, ‘loved nothing so well in the world as rolling down the green slope at the back of the house.’ These two novels seem to give us so much of Jane’s writing career. A sense of beginning with Northanger Abbey, the first novel she sold, and Catherine Moreland, so young and so in love with books. Then Persuasion, which, with ‘the cancelled chapter’ we can surmise Jane struggled to finish, and Anne Elliot, a heroine wiser, sadder and older than any of Jane’s others. This lingering sadness was not meant to be the final note. 37. The Mysteries of Udolpho, Four volume 1794 First Edition of The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe.

Seen here on the left is Ann Radcliffe’s fourth novel, The Mysteries of Udolpho. Dated 1794, it was a literary sensation of extravagantly gothic tales, and Jane Austen readers know it well from her novel Northanger Abbey. Ann Radcliffe established the staple ingredients of a good book, with forlorn maidens, tyrannical men, wild and inhospitable landscapes and barely credible storylines. 38. Carved Letter Case, Wooden letter case carved with the Austen coat of arms and the initials JA. On permanent display. Jane’s brother Francis carved this letter case as a gift for his sister shortly before her death. Carved whilst at sea, it would have taken him many hours to complete. With ornate strap work and motifs that surround the Austen Family Crest, he has added Jane’s initials, JA to the front. The rear is carved with lilies set within an ornate border. During the Regency era, letter writing was considered an important social obligation. The inside pocket is big enough to keep papers or letters inside where they could be cared for and protected. The great care he took to make it shows how fondly Francis felt about his sister Jane. 39. Patchwork Coverlet, Medallion style shaped chintz flower basket patchwork, about 1810, worked on by Jane Austen and her mother. On permanent display. This beautiful coverlet is a medallion quilt with a large central motif cut as a diamond, with a design of birds and a basket of flowers. Jane, her sister Cassandra and their mother made it together, although it was Jane who was known for her neat needlework.

It is a beautiful design, with left and right sides being identical. There are at least 64 fabrics in the quilt which are a mix of dress and furnishing cottons. The size and layout was carefully planned with over 3000 diamonds in total, all hand stitched together. It was made by using the English paper piecing method. This is where the fabric is sewn onto paper shapes and then hand stitched together. The paper is then removed from the back of the fabric. On 31 May 1811, Jane wrote to Cassandra who was staying with their brother Edward in Kent, ‘Have you ed to collect peices for the patchwork - we are at a standstill.’ 40. Winston Churchill Memoir Extract, Signed extract from Churchill’s memoirs describing how Pride and Prejudice aided his recovery from pneumonia. On permanent display.

This signed extract from Winston Churchill’s Second World War memoirs describes how Jane’s novel, Pride and Prejudice comforted him during a period of sickness in the middle of World War II. In 1943 Churchill was critically ill with pneumonia and bed ridden. His daughter Sarah read the book to him, which he said had a calm and comforting effect. This letter was sent in 1953 to Mr Carpenter by Sir Winston Churchill himself during his second term as Prime Minister. In this extract, Churchill marvels at how the characters appear unaffected by the war and political turmoil of the time. The Prime Minister wrote it for the Museum’s collection, where it has been on display ever since. 41. Letter: Jane Austen to Cassandra Austen, 29 January 1813, letter written on the publication of Pride and Prejudice in which Jane refers to the novel as ‘my own darling child’. This letter was written by Jane to her sister in January 1813. It is of particular importance as it describes the publication of Jane’s most famous novel, Pride and Prejudice.

Jane was at home at Chawton, and Cassandra was visiting their brother James at Steventon Rectory, their childhood home. The letter speaks of her excitement at receiving her copy of the three-volume book from her publisher on 27 January. Jane writes, ‘I want to tell you that I have got my own darling Child from London.’ This was a considerable achievement, not just because there were so few novelists in 1813, but also because Jane was a woman and an unmarried one at that!

Educating Jane Austen's England 1775-1817

Winchester

Winchester College, Winchester 24 April - 21 August 2017 This exhibition was a collaboration between Winchester College and Chawton House Library. It explored the differences between the education taught to boys and girls in Georgian England. William of Wykeham founded Winchester College in 1382, and rose to be Bishop of Winchester and then the Chancellor of England. He owed his own education to one or two wealthy patrons, and as his career had given him substantial wealth and power. He decided to create a school in Winchester and a University in Oxford to give others the same opportunity as he had the fortune to experience. His aim was to educate a new generation who would go out into the world, ready and equipped to serve society. Opened in 1394, Winchester College has the longest continuous history of any English School. It has a wonderful motto still relevant today, ‘Manners Maykth Man’. You can find Winchester College tucked behind 8 College Street, where Jane spent the last few months of her life. Its close proximity meant that Charles was often invited to take breakfast with his aunts before his school day began. Jane’s nephew Edward also attended the school, as did several of his cousins so Jane’s family knew it well.

At the time, the College was home to 200 boys. Seventy of the scholars were ed by the school’s endowment, and the rest, including Jane’s nephews, were fee-paying pupils known as Commoners. Grammar and the classical languages of Greek and Latin dominated the boys’ education. It was only later in the 19th century did the formal teaching of other subjects begin. In contrast, girls like Jane were taught to read and write, and may have received some additional tutoring in arithmetic and modern languages. More importance was placed on ladies ‘accomplishments’ such as playing a musical instrument, needlework and drawing. Jane briefly attended two boarding schools for girls, but like many women, received most of her education at home. During this period, there was increasing concern about the shortcomings of girls’ schools and their teachings, which inspired a period of debate about the differences. Reformers suggested that girls should receive the same kind of education as boys.

Of Special Interest

Special items include a display of Jane’s music books, Latin grammar books that belonged to Jane’s nephews, and a poem called ‘Charade by a Lady’, written out in Jane’s handwriting.

The Exhibition

Winchester College Curriculum

Dated 1756-57, this leather-bound book is the only dedicated record of the Winchester curriculum from the 18th century. Pupils received a purely classical education, spending their days learning grammar, Greek and Latin. The most frequently mentioned are Homer, Virgil, Ovid, Terence and Horace.

Cricket Bat

Boys at the College in the 18th century enjoyed many recreational activities. Jane’s nephew George became a famous amateur cricketer, and was partly responsible for introducing round-arm bowling. Cricket matches were played between Commoners and College Men, and were regularly played on St Catherine’s Hill.

Gentleman’s Pocket Companion for Travel Into Foreign Parts (London, 1722)

Jane’s brother Edward embarked on a four-year Grand Tour of Europe when he was 18 years old. For wealthy young men, a journey to Italy was seen to round off a classical education. This pocket companion contains maps and advice that would have been key to planning a trip for any 18th century gentleman.

A Short Introduction to Grammar by William Lily (London, 1805)

Jane’s brother Edward gave this Latin grammar book to his son George. The gift inscription is dated 1808, the year George entered Winchester College when he was 12 years old.

Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen (London 1818)

Though not published until after her death, in the first of the extracts on display Jane discusses the appropriate literary training for a ‘heroine’. In the second, the potent imaginative effect of the Gothic word ‘abbey’.

‘Charade by a Lady’ in Jane Austen’s Handwriting

Charade by a Lady is a sociable verse written by Catherine Maria Fanshawe (1765-1834) that Jane has copied out. Jane enjoyed writing riddles and charades and it was a popular pursuit for both girls and boys in this period.

Charade by a Lady Text

Inscrib’d many a learned page In mystic characters & sage Long time my first has stood But tho’ its’ golden age be past In wooden walls it yet may last Till cloath’d in flesh & blood. My second is a glorious prize For all who love their wondering eyes With curious sights to pamper But tis a sight which should they meet All improviso in the street Ye gods! How they would scamper! United, I’m a wandering throne To woman limited along The Salique law reversing But when the imaginary queen

Begins to act this novel scene Her royal part rehearsing O’erturning her presumptuous plan Up starts the old usurper man And she jogs after as she can.

The Mysterious Miss Austen

Winchester

Winchester Discovery Centre, Winchester 13 May - 24 July 2017 One of the most exciting exhibitions to take place to celebrate Jane’s life and works is The Mysterious Miss Austen exhibition which asks the intriguing question, who is Jane Austen? This was probably the most special exhibition of the anniversary year, exploring Jane’s life, work and relationship to Hampshire through the 80 items on display including paintings, prints, illustrations, watercolours, letters, manuscripts, clothing and other objects. All generously loaned from private and public collections from around the world, some had not been seen by the public for many years, if at all.

Of Special Interest

What makes this exhibition unique are six portraits of Jane Austen brought together for the first, and probably the last time. Two are from the National Portrait Gallery, London, which are the silhouette and familiar painting of Jane by her sister Cassandra.

The other three portraits are from private collections, one of which has not been seen in public for more than 40 years. Another is the 1869 painting by James Andrews, the likeness of which is featured on the new £10 banknote. These are presented alongside items that have been traced directly back to Jane, including her pelisse coat, some of her needlework, early writings, and finally the original ending of Persuasion written in Jane’s own handwriting. This makes it a must see exhibition for Jane Austen fans in 2017, which closes on 24 July, the date of Jane’s burial at Winchester Cathedral.

The Exhibition

The Grand Opening

HRH Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex, officially opened The Mysterious Miss Austen exhibition. In his opening speech he said that it was a privilege and something he had been looking forward to for some time. He signed the Visitors Book and was taken on a guided tour by staff from the Hampshire Cultural Trust.

HRH Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex and Dr Kathryn Sutherland

At the end of his tour, Prince Edward was presented with a copy of Jane Austen, Writer in the World by Kathryn Sutherland of Oxford University, who co-curated the exhibition with Louise West, former Curator of the Jane Austen House Museum at Chawton.

What an Entrance!

When entering the exhibition, there is a window at the bottom of the corridor showing a shadow of Jane pacing around a room, then sitting and reading. This reflects the fact that we cannot say with certainty who Jane was and what she looked like, and prompts the question, who is Jane Austen? Along the wall there are three chosen quotes. The first is from Jane’s letter to Cassandra dated 24 January 1809, written from Castle Square, Southampton, ‘I tell you everything, & it is unknown the mysteries you conceal from me.’ Next is from Jane’s letter to Cassandra dated May 1801, ‘I think I see more Distinctly thro’ rain.’ And finally, a quote from Pride & Prejudice, ‘I hear such different s of you as puzzle me exceedingly.’ These are Elizabeth Bennet’s words to Mr Darcy, and could equally apply to s of Jane herself.

Above the door where Jane sits is a quote by another author Charlotte Brontë. In a letter dated 1850, she refers to Jane’s novel Emma, ‘The ions are perfectly unknown to her.’

Jane’s Life

Turning the corner to enter the main room, the timeline on the wall shows Jane’s birth through to her death, with key milestones marking when she moved house, the novels she wrote, and other events that were significant to her life. Except for Jane’s pelisse coat, the items on display in this section are from Jane’s early years, and show us her sense of fun.

Parish Marriage

As a child, Jane helped her father at his Parish at Steventon, and part of her duties was to write up the Marriage . On the page that shows an example of what to write, Jane has doodled her own marriage between ‘Jane Austen and Henry Frederic Howard Fitzwilliam of London’ and ‘Jane Austen and Edmund Arthur William Mortimer of Liverpool.’ Finally, it seems that ‘Jack Smith and Jane Smith, late Austen’ are also witnessing their own marriage. The Marriage is kept at the Hampshire Archives.

Pelisse Coat

In the middle of the first room is Jane’s bronze silk pelisse coat, beautifully decorated with an oak leaf pattern that dates from 1812 to 1814. This is one of the very few surviving garments believed to have been worn by Jane, and gives us a clue to her physical appearance. She was around 5 feet 7 inches tall, of slim build and a UK size 4. The fabric had been purchased in 1812 and was most likely bought from a warehouse in Bath or London, and cost £5 11S (5 Pounds, 11 Shillings) which would be hundreds of pounds in today’s money. It also cost an additional 8 Shillings for the pattern maker to make it.

From Jane’s letters, it is clear that she owned more than one pelisse, though only one was made of silk. It is likely that she is referring to this garment in a letter to her sister Cassandra in August 1814, ‘Henry…has once mentioned…calling on the Birches & Crutchleys …It may never come to anything, but I must provide for the possibility, by troubling you to send up my Silk Pelisse.’ This possibility Jane refers to in her letter is calling on family friends on her way home from London. Owning a silk pelisse, a luxury item, suggests that Jane had allowed herself this indulgence. She now had an income from her writing which also permitted her some independence.

Jane Austen Letters to Cassandra

Two of Jane’s letters to her sister Cassandra in her beautiful handwriting are shown together. This first is the letter dated ’26-27 May 1801’ written from Bath to Cassandra where she says that she has found the daily round of visiting, tea drinking and conversation stifling. ‘Another stupid party last night’ she had written only a few days before. A late item of news crammed into this letter, written upside down between the lines on the first page is that Charles has sent his sisters gold chains and topaz crosses. He bought the gifts from Gibraltar from his share of prize money for the capture of an enemy ship. 'We shall be unbearably fine.’ writes Jane. Charles, a Lieutenant on HMS Endymion, had been on patrol in the Western Mediterranean. His gift later provided the idea for the very pretty amber cross that William Price brought back from Sicily as a gift for his sister Fanny in Mansfield Park.

The second letter dated ’29 January 1813’ is one of Jane's most famous letters. Written from Chawton to Cassandra, it contains rare details of the publication, only the day before, of Pride and Prejudice. There are anxious moments of selfcriticism as Jane finally sees her novel in print. We sense her emotion as she calls it ‘my own darling Child.’

Volume the Second from Juvenilia

Alongside is the second of three notebooks now known as Juvenilia, and Jane has titled the middle one Volume the Second. She wrote these pieces in her teenage years, and the page is opened at a comic spoof of the History of England that is beautifully illustrated by Cassandra.

Sense and Sensibility First Edition

Jane started writing Elinor and Marianne around 1795 when she was about 19 years old, which was published as Sense of Sensibility. Shown here are the three First Editions that were published in 1815, almost 20 years later.

Needlepoint Purses

Jane was excellent at needlework, as shown in the two tiny embroidered purses she made that would have been used for coins or keepsakes. This knitted thread and glass beads purse was made by Jane between 1800-1817, dated by the age of the glass beads she used. It is tiny, being about 2cms long, and features very fine stitching that was typical of Jane’s needlework.

The purses are usually on display in the Winchester City Museum.

JANE AUSTEN PORTRAITS

Going into the next room, the centrepiece of The Mysterious Miss Austen presents six portraits of Jane all under one roof for the very first time.

Six Jane Austen Portraits are presented together for the first, and possibly last time.

These original works are displayed in a glass case in the middle of the room, surrounded by wall s telling the story of how each portrait was created.

Silhouette of ‘L’aimable Jane’ by Unknown Artist, 1814

This portrait is the famous hollow cut silhouette of Jane by an unknown artist that dates from around 1810-15. It was found inserted in the back of Jane’s third novel Mansfield Park which was published in 1814. It is around 4 x 3 inches (10 x 8 cms) in size and has the words ‘L’aimable Jane’ written at the top.

It is likely to be Jane Austen’s silhouette, or why would it be kept inside a copy of her novel? It is usually on display at the National Portrait Gallery in London.

Sketch of Jane Austen by Cassandra Austen, 1810

This famous sketch of Jane by her sister Cassandra dates to around 1810. It is the only reasonably certain portrait of Jane that shows her face, and was the basis for the engraving commissioned for her Memoirs. Jane sits with her arms folded on a plain wooden chair, looking into the distance.

The sketch is around 4.5 x 3 inches (11 x 8 cms) in size and is presented in a gold frame. It is usually on display in the National Portrait Gallery, London.

Portrait of Jane Austen by James Andrews, 1869

Copied from Cassandra’s sketch of Jane, this portrait of Jane was painted by James Andrews, an artist from Maidenhead in 1869. It was commissioned by Jane’s nephew, James Edward Austen Leigh to be the frontispiece of his biography about his aunt, A Memoir of Jane Austen. It was painted from Cassandra’s sketch of Jane she made around 1810. Jane sits in a wooden chair, wearing a ruffled dress with a bright blue sash, and looks quite content. It is a tiny painting, as it had to be small enough to go into the front of a book. It is beautifully presented in a decorative brown and gold frame.

In reference to the likeness to her aunt, in 1869 Jane's niece Cassy Ester Austen commented to a relative, ‘I think the portrait is very much superior to anything that could have been expected from the sketch it was taken from. It is a very pleasing sweet face, tho I confess to not thinking it much like the original, but that the public will not be able to detect.’ The painting is in private ownership, although the National Portrait Gallery in London have three plates of the image used by the publishers.

A Memoir of Jane Austen

Next to the James Andrews portrait is A Memoir of Jane Austen, laid open at the frontispiece that shows the printed engraving by William Home Lizards in 1869.

Painting by Cassandra Austen, c1804

The famous painting of Jane’s back view, was created by Cassandra on one of their expeditions dates to around 1804 is taped inside a book. It just shows the edge of Jane’s face beneath a wide bonnet, with ribbons untied which shows the casualness of the portrait.

Jane’s niece Anna Lefroy described the sketch in a letter dated 1862 to her brother,

I would give a great deal, that is as much as I could afford, for a sketch which Aunt Cassandra made of her on one of their expeditions – sitting down out of doors on a hot day with her bonnet strings untied.

Portrait of a Lady by James Stanier Clarke

This friendship book belonged to Reverend James Stanier Clarke, the Librarian for the Prince Regent and an acquaintance of Jane’s. The book contains an 1815 ‘Portrait of a Lady’ which some believe to be Jane Austen.

According to some, after the Reverend met Jane in 1815, he was quite besotted with her. If this is her, she looks very glamorous in a large black and red hat with matching shawl, that drapes down the front of her dress. A large brown muff keeps her hands warm, and the picture overall could have been a fashion print.

Jane Austen ‘Imaginary Portrait’

The ‘Imaginary Portrait’ in graphite on vellum had been in a private collection for years. When it was put into an auction, it was sold as an ‘imaginary portrait’. Although it has the words ‘Miss Jane Austen’ written on the back, and is dated to Jane’s lifetime, it states in the notes attached that it cannot be authenticated. Could it be her we wonder?

EVERYBODY’S JANE

‘There appears no end in sight to our love affair with Jane Austen’ is the opening quote to this final part of the exhibition. Although Jane was appreciated by a select readership in her own lifetime, in the two decades following her death there has been mounting interest in her life and writings, bordering at times on obsession.

Afterlives

A selection of posters mounted across the wall Jane Austen inspired film and TV productions. One of the earliest shows that in 1940 Jane went to Hollywood for the first time when Lawrence Olivier played Mr Darcy in the first film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.

Alternative Ending to Persuasion by Jane Austen

Persuasion is Jane's final, completed novel, and is intensely romantic. A wartime story of love lost and restored and of second chances. On 18 July 1816, Jane completed her first version of Persuasion, although she was unhappy with the ending. She rewrote the original tenth chapter, and wrote a new eleventh chapter and made the original eleventh chapter (with a few changes) the twelfth. These two manuscript chapters of Persuasion are unique as the only pages of Jane’s published novels to survive in her own handwriting. The manuscript is open at the pages that describe the only serious love scene Jane ever wrote. Whilst they have survived, the manuscripts of her other published novels have not. Persuasion was completed in 1816 when Jane’s health was failing, and published posthumously in 1818.

A North America Collection

American husband and wife Henry and Alberta Burke began their Jane Austen collection in 1935 and over the next 40 years amassed a huge body of material. They collected manuscripts and books, news clippings, and film and theatre adaptations of Jane’s novels. After her death, much of the collection was bequeathed to Goucher College, Baltimore where Alberta had been a student. A small sample of her collection shown here includes one of Alberta's many scrapbooks dated 1968-1973 into which she mounted Jane Austen memorabilia. A fun selection from their collection is the correspondence between Alberta and Roland Gelatt of the Saturday Review of Literature. These date from October to November 1949. Alberta told Roland that he should be devoting more column space to Jane Austen, and the way he was editing the content, he may as well drop the ‘Literature’ part of the title and call it ‘Saturday Review’ instead.

There is also a copy of the rare 1897 edition of Oscar Fay Adams’s Story of Jane Austen published by Lee and Shepherd from Boston. It is the first of Jane Austen that used photographs instead of hand-drawn illustrations. A Proclamation Certificate alongside shows Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake made December 3, 2011 ‘Jane Austen Day’ in Baltimore. The playful items include Pride and Prejudice cut out dolls, a game of Monopoly called ‘Jane-o-poly’, mouse figures, and an apron for children. There are also a selection of gifts for adults, including Jane Austen tattoos, stickers and badges, and finally a Jane Austen Nebraska license plate to close off this collection.

Vision of Contemporary Britain

‘Jane Austen in E17’ by Grayson Perry 2009 (loaned by the Manchester Art Gallery) is in the form of a large ceramic vase. E17 is the postcode of Walthamslow where you can see a clash between middle class polite culture and the world of north London with its rows of council houses.

The pot is painted with images of genteel ladies in Regency costume, drinking tea. Almost a parody of the polite drawing rooms and calm, ordered lives of Jane’s English villages. If you look closer, beneath the photographs you can see adverts and snippets from gossip magazines. Would Jane have been started to see her sophisticated social world reduced to kitsch romance, bonnets and gossip?

Jane Austen and You

This exhibition brings together many items that survive today that belonged to Jane, or are related to her in some unique way. I think it is the most exciting exhibition put together this year, and have visited many times. It certainly does inspire the question, who is your Jane Austen?

Jane’s Winchester: Malady and Medicine

Winchester

Winchester Discovery Centre, Winchester 13 May - 24 July 2017 On 24 May 1817, Jane arrived in Winchester to receive treatment for her illness from Doctor Lyford. He was a surgeon at the new Winchester Hospital on Parchment Street and a friend of the family. This exhibition painted a vivid picture of what the city of Winchester was like in 1817, the year that Jane travelled to the city to receive treatment for what would be her final illness.

Of Special Interest

One of the oldest and more unusual objects was a rare surviving sedan chair used by patients of Winchester hospitals. Medical items included a set of apothecary’s drawers and other Regency medical equipment, from surgical instruments to pill pots.

The Exhibition

Malady and Medicine explored the changes in treatment that came about during and after the Regency period, and how Jane portrayed illness in her novels.

Painting of Winchester Cathedral, James Cave 1821

A painting at the entrance of the exhibition showed the West Front of Winchester Cathedral by James Cave, painted in 1821 as Jane would have seen it.

West Front of Winchester Cathedral 1821, James Cave

Jane’s funeral procession would have entered through the west doors before she was laid to rest. It shows people walking close to the outer walls and how the grounds were covered with gravestones, unlike the fencing and open grass you see today.

Hospital Transport

A wonderful focus piece of this exhibition was an old black Sedan Chair. It was used by Winchester hospitals and dates from the Regency period. It is a rare item in that it has survived, and is in fairly good condition considering its public use. It is fairly large, being around ten feet tall with a seat inside, three windows for viewing, and a door at the front.

It was the safest way to travel around the city at the time, as a person could go from indoors to indoors without setting foot outside. Could this be the one that Jane references in one of her letters when she says she was taken around the City in a Sedan chair?

Household Items from Winchester Residents

Ceramics used in Winchester around the 18th century

A range of glass cases held items from Winchester households. An array of teapots, cups, bowls, plates and delicate Regency drinking glasses made up the collection. Items from the home included an interesting display of coins, seals for waxing closed letters, and smaller household items.

Medical Instruments

An Apothecary in Jane’s time was actually a botanist rather than a doctor, and their herbs and medicines would have been presented in this array of glass bottles. The medical instruments came from a Winchester apothecary shop called HerbGarret, for which there is a small shop sign. An old ment board described their wares.

Medical instruments and medical instruments found in Winchester

Inside a black box with red satin lining was hearing tests, a knee reflex hammer, space for scissors, and a stethoscope. A small portable pair of scales would have weighed medicines and powders patients. A large set of apothecary drawers showed a range of medical equipment from pill pots to surgical instruments which were laid out neatly in each drawer.

William Curtis Portrait

A copy of the painting of William Curtis was on display with details about his life, and how he initially treated Jane from his Alton Apothecary. The original portrait is on show at the Allen Gallery in his home town of Alton. He so impressed Jane with his bedside manner, that he appears in Emma as Mr Perry, the medical attendant who took care of Mr Woodhouse, Emma’s aged parent. Jane’s letter dated 22 May 1817 mentions Mr Curtis, ‘My chief sufferings were from feverish nights, weakness & Languor… and as our Alton Apoth’y did not pretend to be able to cope with it, better advice was called in… I am going to Winchester… to see what Mr Lyford can do.’ This exhibition is placed just inside the entrance of the Winchester Discovery Centre, on the ground floor of The Mysterious Miss Austen exhibition. The portrait of William Curtis is shown in the chapter Jane and Her Alton Apothecary.

Jane and her Alton Apothecary

Alton

Allen Gallery, Church Street, Alton 3 June to 20 August 2017 Jane lived the last eight years of her life in the neighbouring village of Chawton, and she and Cassandra walked into Alton on most days to shop and to visit their friends and relations. Jane’s brothers Frank and Henry both rented houses at Alton, and Henry’s Hampshire bank was on the High Street, and many of their childhood friends lived in the town. The front section of the gallery was originally a stable and coachman’s house owned by William Hugh Curtis. He left the building to the town to be used as a museum in his will. Known for their vast pottery collection, there are 3,000 pieces on display, dating from 1250 to the present day.

Of Special Interest

The portrait of Jane’s ‘Alton Apothy’ William Curtis (1746-1799) was on

display. It had recently been discovered after being lost and incorrectly tagged for some years in storage. It was thought that Mr Perry in Jane’s novel Emma was inspired by Mr Curtis. There were also examples from the Curtis Museum’s own pottery collection, a selection of tea sets used in Jane Austen’s time.

The Exhibition

Just a small part of the Allen Gallery at Alton was used to show Jane’s links to Alton in her bicentenary year. Jane’s pelisse coat was on display, which was one of the replicas made especially for this year in order to protect the original. This was alongside a selection of items used to make tea in the 19th and early 20th century.

Porcelain Teapot and Bowls

A selection of tea sets that were used

In Jane’s day, tea was a luxury commodity that was associated with the upper classes. It was generally kept in a tea caddy and locked with a key by the mistress of the house. Maria Lucas in Pride and Prejudice says after a visit to the Collins at Hunsford, ‘We have dined nine times at Rosings, besides drinking tea there twice! How much I shall have to tell!’

William Curtis, Jane’s Apothecary

When Jane first started to feel unwell, she consulted William Curtis, a qualified apothecary who was born into a family that had a long-standing association with Alton.

William Curtis (1746-1799), Anonymous Portrait

An apothecary would mix plants and herbs and was much like a dispensing chemist today. They were more affordable than seeing a doctor, as they were not paid for giving advice, just for the medicines they sold. It was a notable profession, and took 6 to 7 years to qualify. Jane called William Curtis her ‘Alton Apothy’ and mentions him in two of her letters from 1817. To her brother Charles, she wrote on 6 April, ‘I was so ill on Friday but either her return or my having seen Mr Curtis or my disorders choosing to go away, have made me much better.’ Sadly, this improvement did not last, as Jane wrote in her last letter from Chawton to her friend Anne Sharp on 22 May, ‘In spite of my hopes & promises when I wrote to you, I have since been very ill indeed...our Alton Apothy did not pretend to be able to cope with it, better advice was called in. Our nearest very good is in Winchester...I am going to Winchester, instead, for some weeks to see what Mr Lyford can do farther towards re-establishing me in tolerable health.’ The Curtis family thought that William inspired the character Mr Perry, the apothecary in Jane’s novel Emma, ‘He had been at the pains of consulting Mr. Perry, the apothecary… Mr. Perry was an intelligent, gentlemanlike man, whose frequent visits were one of the comforts of Mr. Woodhouse’s life.’ The Curtis family were a notable family at Alton, and were five generations of apothecaries. This included William’s father, grandfather, and his older cousin, another William, who went on to achieve fame as a notable botanist, wrote many successful books, and started a Botanist magazine that is still being published today. His son founded the Curtis Museum on the High Street in 1865, and named it in memory of his father.

Fickle Fortunes: Jane Austen and Germaine de Staël

Chawton

Chawton House Library, Chawton 12 June - 24 September 2017

Exile made me lose the roots which tied me to Paris and I have become European.

Germaine de Staël Letter to Mme de Berg, May 1814

The Fickle Fortunes exhibition celebrates the life and works of two remarkable women, and reflects on their shifting reputations in the 200 years since they died. The first is the much loved Jane Austen (1775-1817) who has drawn people to this special place, and the other is the lesser known French author Germaine de Staël (1766-1817). Madame de Staël was at one time the most famous authoress in Europe. She was known to be a great talker, and by reputation to have many love affairs. Born into a wealthy family, she moved in literary circles and hosted parties for her famous friends.

Both writers were aware of each another in their lifetimes and shared the same famous London publisher, John Murray. In a letter to Cassandra in the December 1808, Jane mentions that she recommended Germaine’s novel Corinne, ou L’Italie to a friend. It seems however that Germaine was less flattering about Jane, and after reading Pride and Prejudice it was said she thought it ‘vulgaire’.

Germaine de Staël was well-known throughout Europe. She wrote both fiction and non-fiction, and her books were translated into many different languages. Her most popular novels were Delphine (1802) and Corinne ou L’Italie (1807) which achieved great acclaim. On the other hand, Jane led a humble life as the daughter of a preacher, published four novels in her lifetime anonymously, and was little known outside her family circle. She lived most of her life in and around the county of Hampshire. Ironically, these two women died within four days of each other. Germaine died in Paris on 14 July 1817 aged 51. She was mourned across Europe, and her death was reported widely, even in the English newspapers. The Hampshire Chronicle headline read ‘The celebrated Madame de Staël died at Paris’, and this was echoed in The Gentleman’s Magazine on display. In contrast, Jane died on 18 July 1817 aged 41. Her death was announced across the local newspapers by her family. It is the relatively unknown Jane Austen, however, and not Madame de Staël whose fame has increased to become globally celebrated.

The Exhibition

Refreshingly different from the other exhibitions taking place this bicentenary year, Fickle Fortunes has made a successful comparison between two successful authors. The Curator has cleverly pulled together a wide collection of items that tell the story of Germaine de Staël’s fame, and items that touch on Jane Austen’s celebrity. It also reflects on the difference between male and female writers at that time, and how fame and success are measured by the public and the authors

themselves, from 200 years ago through to today. Over 50 items are presented in glass cases and on tables throughout the Great Hall, the Dining Room and the Exhibition Rooms upstairs. Some of from the library at Chawton House, and others have been loaned from international libraries. As you would expect, it is very much a display of first editions, diaries, and notebooks. You will come away wondering why Germaine de Staël, who led such a fascinating life in the spotlight is not more widely known. Whilst Jane’s fame seems to increase each ing year as more people discover her work.

Of Special Interest

The exhibition is split into sections with Jane Austen’s Growing Fame, then Biographies of Jane and Germaine, through to Famous Authors, Literary Tourism, and Family Loyalties. Some items show what connects the two authors and some show what distinguishes them apart. On display are novels and translations, mainly of Germaine’s works, and the diaries and letters, portraits and poems from contemporaries and biographers. Novels from the Library include first editions of Pride and Prejudice, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion. You can see a play written by Jane Austen now in the Chawton House Library Collection titled Sir Charles Grandison. A letter Jane wrote to her sister dated Christmas 1798, where she talks lightly of dancing and shopping, is alongside Jane’s signature on a small piece of paper, owned privately so rarely seen.

Chawton House Library

To Jane and her family, Chawton House was known as the ‘Great House’. Her brother Edward inherited the Hampshire estate on which it sat from his adoptive parents. Jane would walk along the lane from Chawton Cottage to visit her brother and his family, which he made his home after his wife Elizabeth died giving birth to their eleventh child. From the ground floor hallway is the Reading Room which houses a vast library and an old printing press. From the same hallway is the Great Hall that dates to 1583 that takes you into the house. ing through the Great Hall and up the stairs, the Dining Room is on the left, which is where Jane would Edward’s family for meal times. He had eleven children, including Jane’s fondest niece Fanny, so it would have been a busy place. Edward’s portrait can be found here, painted in Italy during his Grand Tour, and where his clothes and diary are permanently on display. You will be amazed at how small Edward was as a teenager, judging by the size of his clothes.

Portrait of Edward Austen for his Grand Tour

On the top floor are the Upper Reading Rooms which are used as the primary exhibition rooms. They are connected by the Tapestry Gallery, which was originally used for exercise by the ladies of the house. At the end of the upper floor is the Oak Room which houses a large dining table with matching chairs. The window in the small alcove gives you a clear view to the bottom of the driveway and across the estate. Carriages were frequently seen on the road, and it is said that Jane sat here to watch the various comings and goings to the house.

JANE AUSTEN’S GROWING FAME

Entering the Reading Room on the ground floor, you can find the library that houses over 1000 books from floor to ceiling. The room has impressive views to the south and east, although the windows are covered to protect the books from sunlight. The value of the objects in this room have dramatically increased since Jane’s death and will continue to do over time.

Sir Charles Grandison or The Happy Man, a Comedy

Jane and her family would write and perform plays for their own amusement. She has written this play in a little booklet which are similar to her Juvenilia. The five short acts on three pages are a summary of the seven long volumes of the novel Sir Charles Grandison, written by Samuel Richardson in 1753.

It is thought that Jane wrote it with encouragement from her young niece Anna, the daughter of her eldest brother James. It was first published in 1980 when it was discovered, and is the only surviving attempt by Jane Austen to write a full length play.

Sir Charles Grandison or The Happy Man, A Comedy by Jane Austen

Sir Charles Grandison or The Happy Man, A Comedy by Jane Austen

Sir Charles Grandison or The Happy Man, A Comedy by Jane Austen

Jane Austen Letter to Cassandra Austen dated 24 December 1798

In Jane’s letter to her sister, she writes that she has some pleasant news for her, but it will have to wait. Firstly she has to impart a message from iral Gambier to her father. It is in response to his request to transfer his son Charles from the Scorpion to a larger Frigate. Jane says that she has not heard from their brother Frank for ten weeks, and their brother Edward has been suffering with his health.

She then moves on to talk about more pleasant news of shopping, dancing at balls and visiting friends and family. She mentions a visit to Manydown and Deane, and how the worry of the weather had hampered her travel plans. She lists the men she danced with at a ball and how pleased she was that her friend Mrs Lefroy ired her black cap. Jane closes with her worry for snow coming to nothing, and how she returned home in the little carriage without being too cold. Jane makes an apology for the shortness of the letter, although to me it seems quite long!

Letter from Jane Austen to her Cassandra Austen, 24 December 1798

Jane Austen’s Signature

This is an authentic Jane Austen signature from a letter she has signed ‘by J. Austen’. It has been cut from one of Jane’s letters, which has happened frequently, either to increase financial gain or to be kept as a memento of her life. Historically, letters would often be cut up and given away to family and friends to someone after their death. You can just read the end of the sentences ‘by the author of’ and ‘the name to yourself.’ It looks like she is asking someone to keep the secret that she is the author of her novels.

Jane Austen’s Signature Scrap

BIOGRAPHIES

Upon entering the exhibition you are met with a striking portrait of Germaine, where she is wearing a bright red and white turban, and a red blouse. It was painted by Elizabeth Vigée Le Brun in 1807. She was a famous portrait painter who painted many of the most important and influential women of the day including Marie Antoinette. When staying with Germaine at Coppet on the shores of Lake Geneva, she suggested that she paint her as the heroine in her successful novel Corrine.

Corrine, Germaine de Staël

It was seen as a reflection of Germaine’s own fame to be painted by such a famous and ired artist. She disliked it so much she had it repainted shortly after by Firmin Massot. Germaine was born in Paris on 22 April 1766, and was the only daughter of a wealthy Swiss banker Jacques Necker, who became Finance Minister to Louis XVI. She was famous from an early age, hosting salons with her mother and even suggested her own marriage to an Englishman when she was 11 years old. Her father disapproved of her writing, so she hid it until after her marriage to the diplomat Baron Erik Magnus Staël in 1786. They had three children, although one was allegedly fathered by Benjamin Constant. As an enemy of Napoleon and political figure, she spent much of her life in exile and lived at the family residence at Chateau de Coppet in Switzerland. Known to be witty and a brilliant conversationalist, she had a regular circle of close intellectual friends known as the ‘Groupe de Coppet’. She would travel widely to , Italy, Russia, Moscow, Sweden, and even spent some time in England. She wrote about controversial topics including politics and suicide, and her works sold well across Europe and were translated into many languages.

A map of Europe showing where Jane and Germaine published their novels

In contrast, Jane wrote about romance and the world around her and lived within an 80 mile radius. She never married and grew up within the closeness of a large family and in her lifetime was relatively unknown. She did not move in the literary circles, and her four books were published anonymously. They brought her a modest income, and although she never left England, she was aware of international affairs through her Navy brothers, her family in and from reading newspapers. Jane had never formally sat for a portrait and probably the most famous picture of her is the one by James Andrews (1869) that he made from Cassandra’s sketch.

Jane Austen, James Andrew, 1869

Jane was very much a Hampshire girl and was born in the middle of a snowstorm on 16 December 1766. She started writing in her teens and was encouraged by her father, who gave her access to his extensive collection of books. He also bought her notebooks and a travel writing slope and attempted to get her work published in 1797. Later her brother Henry ed her career and she would stay with him in London whilst they negotiated her contracts. There was a story that Jane was invited to a party in London to meet Germaine, who was then the most famous authoress in Europe. Jane refused. Henry was annoyed at the snub as he thought it would increase Jane’s fame by attending. However, he later changed his mind. As Germaine became more famous, she was rumoured to be a great talker, known to wear revealing outfits and have many love affairs. Quite the opposite to Jane’s Anglican upbringing within the closeness of her family circle.

NOVELS ON DISPLAY

Novels by Germaine de Staël

From the selection of Germaine’s novels, you can see that she wrote on a diverse range of topics. The earliest here is the English translation of Considerations on the Principal Events of the French Revolution, which was written when Germaine was 22 years old and shows how early her political views were formed. More works followed from 1813 as her fame increased, including , Zulma and Other Tales, and Réflexions Sur Le Suicide, although only was published by John Murray. A French edition of De L’Allemagne dated 1850 shows that Germaine’s popularity continued in years after her death. Her two classical novels that are probably the most well-known today are Delphine (1802) and Corinne ou L’Italie (1807). Delphine came out in 1802 and was rapidly translated into English, as this 1803 London edition shows. A tale of ion, told in letters and set in and Switzerland during the French Revolution. Corinne was Germaine’s second romantic novel and was an overnight success. The story is about a love affair between a Scottish peer Lord Nelvil who is torn between his ionate love for Corinne, an Italian poet, and a promise he made to his late father to marry a plain English girl. It sold particularly well in England and was an interesting landscape and combination of characters for a French Author. The book had seven French editions published, including this illustrated copy from 1819.

Novels by Jane Austen

Jane Austen published four novels in her lifetime, the most successful being Pride and Prejudice, which was drafted as First Impressions. The Austen family enjoyed it so much, that Jane’s father offered it to a publisher in London who declined it ‘sight unseen’.

Fourteen years later in 1811, Jane began revising it and it was ‘lop’t and crop’t’ and published by Egerton in January 1813. It sold so well, a second edition was printed the autumn and a third in 1817. Jane called it ‘my own darling Child’ in a letter to Cassandra. Unlike Germaine, Jane was not publicly known as the author.

Pride and Prejudice , Jane Austen 1811

FAMOUS AUTHORS

Germaine had many friends in literary circles that she hosted at her salons, including Isabelle de Montolieu, Juliette Récamier, and Byron, although only Isabelle had a direct link with both authors as she translated Jane’s novels into French. Interestingly, they all shared the same publisher in England, John Murray.

Isabelle de Montolieu (1751-1832)

The Franco-Swiss author Isabelle de Montolieu and Germaine were great friends. She was a successful writer in her own right and her novel Caroline de Lichtfield (1786) shown here sold particularly well in England. It was a reworking of the beauty and beast tale, and her fans included Germaine, Jane, and many more writers including Mary Wollstonecraft and Maria Edgeworth. She was a skilled translator and was the first to translate Jane’s novels Sense and Sensibility (Raison et Sensibilité, 1815) and Persuasion (La Famille Elliot, 1821) into French. She did however make significant changes to Jane’s text in Sense and Sensibility and recast Marianne as a French Maria who is inclined to swoon! Jane and Isabelle shared the same Paris publisher, Arthus Bertrand, though sadly Jane was unaware her books were translated and available in in her lifetime.

Juliette Récamier (1777-1849)

Juliette Récamier was considered a great beauty and painted many times. A famous portrait of her by Jacques-Louis David (1800) can be found in the Louvre, and this miniature oval is also by David and typical of the portraits popular in the early 19th century.

Juliette Récamier (1777-1849) par David

Juliette was a famous socialite and an intimate friend of Germaine’s spending time at Coppet with literary and political figures. She also angered Napoleon through political friendships and by refusing to act as a Lady in Waiting to the Empress Joséphine. Once exiled from Paris, she spent her time in Lyon, Rome and Naples. Impoverished in her later years, she returned to Paris and settled in a convent.

Lord Byron (1788-1824)

In a March 1814 letter to Cassandra, Jane wrote, ‘I have read the Corsair, mended my petticoat, & have nothing else to do.’ Jane was clearly familiar with The Corsair which was a tale in verse by Byron, published in 1814, it sold ten thousand copies on its first day of sale. Germaine knew Byron well, and after he took a house on Lake Geneva in 1816, he would often her ‘Groupe de Coppet’. A conversation between Byron and Germaine was recounted by Marguerite, Countess of Blessington in 1823 gives a sense of the nature of their relationship.

Byron observed, that he once told Madame de Staël that he considered her Delphine and Corinne as very dangerous productions to be put into the hands of young women. I asked him how she received this piece of candour, and he answered:—Oh! just as all such candid avowals are received—she never forgave me for it. She endeavoured to prove to me, that, au contraire, the tendencies of both her novels were supereminently moral.

Byron wrote a poem for the publisher John Murray to send to his friend Polidori, known as ‘Satiric Epistle From Mr Murray to Dr Polidori’. It was to turn down the publication of Dr Polidori’s play which he had sent to Byron for consideration. In the original poem Byron talks unkindly of Germaine’s miscarriages, her failed marriage, illegitimate children and that she ‘died a Papist’. Although Murray did use Byron’s poem, he tactfully left out those additional lines of gossip. Near the end of the poem it reads.

A party dines with me to-day, All clever men, who make their way; Crabbe, Malcolm, Hamilton, and Chantrey, Are all partakers of my pantry. They’re at this moment in discussion On poor De Stael’s late dissolution. Her book, they say, was in advancePray heaven, she tell the truth of !

LITERARY TOURISM

Jane Austen memorabilia is plentiful, and the selection of memorabilia shows branded tea cloths, fridge magnets, gin, badges and toothpaste all available

today. In contrast, and possibly showing how Germaine’s lifestyle is perceived after her death is a postcard showing her bedroom. The matching postcards are by Basil Merrett. They Chawton Cottage, Jane’s final home before her death and Germaine’s family home Coppet, which date to around 1940.

Famous Postcards, Authors and Poets, Basil Merrett, c1940

FAMILY LOYALTIES

Both Jane and Germaine were close to their families, and even after their deaths it has been important to their descendants to keep their memories and works alive. Jane, her mother and sister all moved into Chawton Cottage thanks to the generosity of her brother Edward. Her brother Henry wrote a biographical notice which prefaced the 1818 edition of Northanger Abbey and Persuasion. Her nephew Edward wrote a full-length biography of his aunt in 1870, A Memoir of Jane Austen. He writes, ‘She became an authoress entirely from taste and inclination. Neither the hope of fame nor profit mixed with her early motives.’ As for Jane’s letters, many were edited and published by her great-nephew Edward Hugessen Knatchbull. He was the son of Jane’s niece Fanny Knight. Fanny inherited the bulk of Jane’s letters from Cassandra in 1845, and ed them to her son, who published the first selection in 1884.

Letters of Jane Austen Edited by Edward, Lord Brabourne. London: Richard Bentley 1884.

Germaine was the cherished only child of Jaques Necker and Suzanne. She published her father’s works after his death, and added a biographical article ‘On the character of Mr Necker and his private life.’ Germaine’s posthumous Considerations on the French Revolution were published by her son Auguste and son-in-law. The first proper biography was written by her cousin Albertine Necker-de-Saussure, and in 1820 her son oversaw the publication of 17 volumes of her works.

Elbert Hubbard. Little Journeys to the Homes of Famous Women

Elbert Hubbard. Little Journeys to the Homes of Famous People, 1897

Elbert Hubbard was an American writer who visited the homes of Germaine and Jane for Little Journeys, which is as a kind of biographical travel book. After visiting Jane’s Steventon birthplace, he writes, ‘it comes to you that the clouds and the blue sky and the hedgerows and the birds and the cows and the crows are all just as Jane Austen knew them—no change.’ After visiting Germaine’s family home, he writes, ‘Could Coppet speak it must tell of Voltaire and Rousseau who had knocked at its gates; of John Calvin; of Montmorency; of Hautville; of Fanny Burney and Madame Récamier and Girardin and Lafayette and hosts of others who are to us but names, but who in their day were greatest among all the sons of men.’

The Deaths of Two Talented Female Authors

Ironically, Jane and Germaine died within four days of each other. Germaine died in Paris on 14 July 1817, aged 51, and she was mourned across Europe, and her death was widely reported in international newspapers. The English press also reported her death, including The Gentleman’s Magazine which reported the news and said that she was popular amongst her friends but ‘more remarkable for felicity of wit and sprightliness of fancy, than purity of taste, or correction of judgement.’ The Hampshire Chronicle simply reported on 21 July, ‘The celebrated Madame de Staël died at Paris.’ In contrast, when Jane died in Winchester four days later, the announcement her family placed into The Hampshire Chronicle. It read that she was the daughter of a clergyman, ‘Her manners were most gentle, her affections ardent, her candour was not to be sured, and she lived and died as became a humble Christian.’ A smaller notice appeared a few days later in The Courier.

Pride and Prejudice Wedding Dress

Closing this exhibition is a handmade copy of the silk wedding dress worn by Jennifer Ehle in the BBC’s 1995 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. This popular production was adapted by Andrew Davies and made famous by Mr Darcy’s wet shirt scene played by Colin Firth. It reminds us how simple Jane’s life was and she was a romantic at heart. This wedding dress has been remade many times, as brides want to play Elizabeth to their own Mr Darcy.

Leaving this exhibition, you will wonder why Germaine de Staël’s fame has faded. Although she wrote many books, they are difficult to get hold of, and she is little known outside literary circles. And where Germaine was far more famous in life, it is the relatively unknown Jane Austen who has achieved greater celebrity after her death.

Jane Austen by the Sea

Brighton

The Royal Pavilion, Brighton 17 June 2017 to 8 January 2018

At Brighton she will be of less importance even as a common flirt than she has been here.

Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

Jane Austen by the Sea explores Jane’s relationship with Brighton, the sea, and the coastal towns featured in her novels, including her most popular novel Pride and Prejudice. A fun exhibition on the first floor, it shows how lively and gay Brighton was in Jane’s day, and her links with town.

There is no evidence that Jane visited Brighton, so it seems her descriptions of the town came from her brother Henry, who was stationed close by in the 1790s while serving in the Oxfordshire militia. Jane did however spend a few weeks in Worthing, a town 10 miles west of Brighton in the Autumn of 1805. A long-term misunderstanding about Brighton arose from a hand-written letter dated 8 January 1799. The Curator, Dr Alexandra Loske explained that ‘For many years, Austen has been quoted as having written: ‘I assure you that I dread the idea of going to Brighton as much as you can do..’ but her sentence actually referred to Bookham, a village in Surrey rather than Brighton. We now know that Austen may not have felt as negatively about the town as has been thought.’ Brighton’s reputation as a place to indulge in immoral behaviour was transformed at the end of the 18th century as sea bathing became fashionable, and Brighton became a spa resort. Its gaiety soon appealed to the rakish Prince of Wales who first visited Brighton in 1783, aged 21. His doctors recommended the sea water to ease the swellings in the glands in his neck. He also found the atmosphere a welcome relief from London, and soon struck up a relationship with a Catholic widow, Mrs Fitzherbert. He secretly married her when he was only 23 years old, and they were the toast of Brighton society until his official marriage to Caroline of Brunswick in 1795. Even after his marriage, the Prince continued his relationship with Mrs Fitzherbert and they lived in a farmhouse near the shore. Over time, it was greatly enlarged and in 1823 became the Royal Pavilion. This was to reflect the change in his status from Prince of Wales to Prince Regent, then King. He became George IV in 1820. Queen Victoria sold the Royal Pavilion to the town of Brighton in 1850.

Of Special Interest

On display at the Royal Pavilion for the first time, and on special loan from Her Majesty The Queen from the Royal Collection, is King George IV’s specially bound copy of Emma. It was published in December 1815, and the last novel published in her lifetime. On loan from Jane Austen’s House Museum is a mourning brooch containing a lock of Jane’s hair, a copy of Sanditon copied by Cassandra, and some of Jane’s letters and music books.

The Exhibition

Jane Austen by the Sea features coastal attire, tourist entertainment, Turkish Baths, the new pastimes of sea bathing plus Brighton’s Royal connections and military presence. Set in one large room, the exhibition is a mixture of pictures, objects and costumes. At the entrance to the exhibition is a ladies white pelisse coat that dates from around 1810. It has a delicate white trim, and is similar in style to Jane’s pelisse coat which she purchased in 1804. Worn over dresses as an overcoat, this particular example has a fitted high waist, rather than the previous fashion of a fitted middle waist. Standing next to the costume, it looks petite, and reminds us how much smaller women were in the 1800s than they are today.

Delicate White Pelisse Coat from the Museum’s own collection

The coat looks like the ‘The Brighton Walking Dress’ shown in this London magazine dated 1817. Jane was like many other ladies who would buy fabric, and then show the outfit to a seamstress who would make to measure.

Brighton Walking Dress in Ackermann’s, 1817

Emma by Jane Austen

This copy of Emma is in three volumes, and is a special presentation copy bound in red morocco with gold lettering that was sent to the Prince Regent.

Emma in three volumes, dedicated and gifted by Jane Austen to George IV from the Royal Collection Trust

This set now belongs to Her Majesty The Queen and is kept in the Royal Collection. Printed in December 1815, it was the last novel Jane published in her lifetime Jane had reluctantly dedicated Emma to him when he was Prince Regent, even though she disapproved of his lifestyle. She was forced to pay for the special copies, which probably seemed unfair, as the Prince had so much wealth and hers was limited.

Cassandra Austen’s Copy of Sanditon

Jane loved the sea, and sadly stopped writing her last novel when she was too ill to hold a pen. Known as Sanditon, the story is set in a seaside town in Sussex. It is thought that Cassandra made this copy before ing the original to her niece Anna after Jane’s death.

Jane Austen’s last novel Sanditon copied out by Cassandra Austen

Costume Corner

The Costume Corner displays two beautiful light dresses, two wedding dressing of contrasting styles, and a male Indian styled outfit belonging to Sake Dean Mahomed. The two dresses are of similar design and were fashionable in Jane’s time. Inspired by French fashion, light cottons became popular, partly because of the weather and partly to show the status of the wearer. The upper classes wore light colours to reaffirm their superiority, and Jane mentions this in one of her novels where two servant girls appear in white dresses and are promptly turned away. This is the first time this wedding dress has been on show. It is made of white silk decorated with pretty embroidered flowers. It has capped sleeves and a small gathered trail behind made of a satin fabric. The curator said she added this piece to the exhibition as Jane was known for writing about weddings in her novels.

Wedding Dress from Royal Pavilion Museum Collection

A cream tubular designed dress is shown alongside, with a high waist that was popular in the early part of the 1800s. Weddings were much quieter affairs than they are today, often with many couples getting married together as Elizabeth and Darcy and Jane and Mr Bingley do in Pride and Prejudice. Men of a certain status wanted to be fashionable too, and they would ask their tailors to copy an outfit, as shown here in a London magazine.

Sake Dean Mahomed Costume

The final outfit on display was worn by Sake Dean Mahomed and was made around 1820-25. He had this outfit made for himself in an exotic cream fabric with a red waistcoat, with black tros underneath. It is in the style of Indian court dress, and is a combination of Eastern and Western styles.

Sake wore matching shoes with his outfit, and they were brought for us to see. They are in excellent condition, and it is thought that Mahomed had the outfit specially made for his portrait.

Born in 1759 in Patna, North-eastern India, Mahomed later ed the East India Company. After a successful career in the Military, he moved to Ireland in 1784 where he studied England and later married. He first opened a coffee house in London before moving to Brighton as a ‘shampooer’, and eventually became the ‘shampooing surgeon’ to George IV.

Lithograph of Sake Dean Mahomed, Shampooing Surgeon to George IV by Thomas Baynes and Charles Hullmandel c1820-25

He became so successful, he opened Mahomed’s Baths near the seafront in 1812. Known for its health benefits, it was thought that only men frequented the spa, however, this etching shows a lady standing on the veranda.

Sake Dean Mahomed opened Mahomed’s Baths in 1812

Print and Images

Rare prints and paintings of Brighton dating to the 17th and 18th century adorn the walls. The images of Brighton show how it would have looked in Jane’s lifetime as a popular seaside resort. The other pictures on display show a more comical side to Brighton which was increasingly popular. Jane wrote about the military in all her novels, and this painting by Jacob Spornberg shows the military encampment that was based in Brighton as Jane’s brother Henry would have described it.

Old Steine, Brighton, from the North 1796, Jacob Spornberg

Military Dandies is typical of the more comical artwork that was being created at that time. In this painting, a group of soldiers dressed in bright costumes are puffing out their chests to each other rather than fighting.

Military Dandies or Heroes of 1818, William Heath

I really enjoyed seeing Les Invisibles, which is a wonderful title for the painting as the people on the promenade cannot see each other as the wind is blowing sand in their eyes.

Les Invisibles, H Humphrey

This picture shows the inside of the Brighton Picture Gallery, and shows their paintings for sale in miniature on the walls. The talented artist has managed to create perfect replicas of another artists work.

Brighton Picture Gallery, J Cordwell

As the Prince Regent was known to be racy, it inspired a number of pictures like this one. Le Trenis Contredanse is a tinted etching of two male dancers with two lady dancers - showing a lot more cleavage than was proper!

Le Trenis Contredanse, French etching c1805

This rugged landscape of Brighton’s bathing machines gives the impression that bathing in the sea at Brighton was a lot more challenging. and very different from Jane’s experience on the sandy beaches of Lyme Regis.

Bathing Machines by Thomas Rowlandson, Henry Aiken Aqutint, 1790

The final glass cabinet holds a faded green silk bonnet with ribbons along with a

pair of dainty shoes and a fan of feathers. All encapsulate the simple designs of the Regency period. All the costumes on display were from the Museum’s own collection.

Lumps of Pudding

The Museum also took the opportunity to show Lumps of Pudding. This fragile hand coloured etching was produced in 1811 by William Heath. Made up of five sheets, the print is 8 feet long, and shows eighteen couples dancing in a strip design. Some of the women are wearing exotic headpieces in their hair, including a sailing ship, a windmill and a blue dragon.

Jane Austen by the Sea Lumps of Pudding, William Heath c1811

Lumps of Pudding is actually a piece of music and was a popular country dance tune in the 18th century. It was usually a progressive dance in sets of four, where the top and bottom couple sit out a round in alternative sets and then re the dance after taking a rest. The print shows the comically mismatched couples dancing vigorously and awkwardly, and with varying degrees of enthusiasm!

Additional Items

A mourning brooch containing a lock of Jane Austen’s hair. Letters from Jane Austen to the Prince Regent’s Librarian, James Stanier Clarke. In one of the letters, Jane talks about her reluctant dedication of Emma to the Prince Regent. One of Jane’s music books in her own handwriting. Prints, paintings and caricatures of the resorts and fashions popular to seaside visitors. Rare images of Brighton as it looked in Jane Austen’s lifetime.

You can hear versions of Lumps of Pudding in the British Library’s sound archive. This exhibition was made possible by generous loans from the Royal Collection, Jane Austen’s House Museum, and the University of Sussex.

Sitting with Jane

Basingstoke

Basingstoke and Surrounding Areas 17 June - 31 August 2017 Sitting With Jane was a unique public art trail of Book Benches that highlight Jane’s connections with Basingstoke and the surrounding areas. We had a lot of fun on the trail, and managed to cycle to many of the benches located centrally, which took us a couple of hours to complete. We found the benches beautifully done, and a pleasure to climb up on. We made frequent stops to talk with other visitors, and shared our photographs on social media. The 24 benches are shaped like an open book and hand painted by a professional artist. Each one is decorated with a design to celebrate Jane’s life and the anniversary of her death 200 years ago. Jane grew up in Steventon, a village close to the town of Basingstoke, for the first 25 years of her life, and this is where she began her writing career. The benches were placed at locations with a connection to Jane, and could be found on a trail map, or by ing the Sitting With Jane App. Most benches were placed in and around Basingstoke, with those further afield found in Steventon, outside St Nicholas Church where Jane was born. At Chawton Cottage, was the brightly painted Chawton Woodwalk bench, showing Jane and her sister walking through the woods. The patchwork pattern was inspired by the quilt made by Jane you can see inside.

In the grounds of Winchester Cathedral, Jane and Her Forgotten Peers is decorated with female novelists of her time. This is Jane’s final resting place, and the bench placed here has a view that has not changed in over 200 years. We especially liked the fun Waiting for Mr Darcy bench painted bright red with a white doodle figure found outside Oakley Hall. One of the most intricate is The House That Jane Built which is a dolls house decorated in Regency style. We voted for Once Upon a Time In Steventon to win as we loved the forest animals and the beautiful woodland setting. Unlike most other exhibitions, this installation would take place outside and encourage people to walk as Jane loved to do. Artists were invited to submit their ideas by the end of 2016, and from the entries, 22 were chosen. Made of laminated resin and fibreglass, each bench cost £5,000 to make which was donated by each sponsor. The artists presented their designs to sponsors who commissioned the artist of their choice to design and decorate their bench. Destination Basingstoke led the project which was a glorious success. Many people ed their photographs to social media using the hashtag #sittingwithjane which went viral with 570,000 impressions in the first week. The media dubbed it ‘The Jane Effect’. After the book trail ended, and 22 of the 24 benches were sold at a Charity Auction at the end of the Summer. £750,000 was raised to help build a state-ofthe-art cancer hospital to treat local patients in the Basingstoke area.

Artists at Work

Festival Place kindly allocated a large shop space in which the artists could work, which also allowed the public to watch. Each was allocated a time slot to avoid overcrowding, and first up was Lois Cordelia. It was amazing to watch her decorate her bench in an impressive four and a half hours. She created Look Upon Verdure, which was one of the two benches that feature

quotes from Mansfield Park and an outdoor bench. A Fine Day To Sit And Look Upon Verdure is the other. The word ‘Verdure’ loosely means ‘fresh green vegetation’. Sian Storey followed who was also amazing to watch. She had two commissions, The Golden Peacock from Hugh Thomson’s famous cover of Pride and Prejudice, and Once Upon A Time In Steventon featuring a stag and a curled up fox in a wonderful fairy tale scene. The places Jane lived was also a popular theme with Once Upon A Time In Steventon, Chawton Woodwalk and The Promenade that represented Jane’s time in Bath. Items from a Regency home included the Austen china, sofas, silk and lace, and all featured strongly in Are You Sitting Comfortably, Willow Pattern, Regency Life and Threads, Lace and Time. All these items were seen together inside The House That Jane Built. Of a more modern theme, depicting Jane’s strength of character and probably appealing to a younger audience, was Female Power, Girl Power and Jane Talk. Loved for their names alone! The only time the benches would be all seen together, would be at the auction in September.

Sitting With Jane Map and the App

We picked up a map from the Tourist Office in Basingstoke, and ed the Sitting with Jane App. As some benches were placed in remote locations, it seemed a good idea to carry a map printed on good old fashioned paper.

Sitting with Jane trail map of benches, their locations and sponsors

The App was a fantastic addition to the project. It meant that we could sign up, type in the bench number found on the plinth, and read about the artist, sponsor, and the Jane Austen connection to the location. It also gave discounts to local cafes and shops nearby.

Sitting with Jane App opened up to show the Sitting with Jane map and clicks through to each Bookbench

Once you were signed in, the images of the benches appeared so you could tick off the ones you had visited, and vote for the bench you wanted to win. A scoreboard showed the most popular, and a winner was announced each week.

You could your photographs to social media by using the hashtag #sittingwithjane, which made it a running campaign.

Sitting With Jane Book Benches

The Book Bench trail covered three areas. In Basingstoke Town Centre were found the first ten (1-10), the next eleven were in the Borough of Basingstoke and Dean (11-21), and the last three were found further afield at Alton, Chawton and Winchester (22-24).

1. A Fine House Richly Furnished Artist - Jonathan Chapman Sponsor - Andrew Smith & Son Auctioneers Location - War Memorial Park

This design is based on Chatsworth House, the inspiration for Mr Darcy's home, Pemberley in Pride and Prejudice and has been used as the setting for many TV and film productions of Jane Austen's novels.

A Fine House Richly Furnished sketch submitted by Jonathan Chapman

Showing the view from both sides of the valley, the house is set amongst the sweeping landscape of the Derbyshire countryside. A drawbridge over a winding river sits in the foreground, and when you are sat on the bench you are seated on part of the river that flows in front of the house. Behind you can see a great forest before a clear blue sky.

The artist Jonathan Chapman said of his design, ‘In order to sit with Jane, it must be possible to sit within her landscape.’

The bench on display in the War Memorial Park used to be in the grounds of Goldings, where Jane often visited her friends, the Russell family.

2. The House That Jane Built Artist - Jane Veveris Callan Sponsor - Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council Location - Civic Offices

The House that Jane Built is based on a Jane Austen inspired Regency style dolls house. On the back is the outside of the house with a carriage drawing up outside. The inside of the house is where you sit and there are lots of little details in each room. Many of the scenes are from Jane's life and her novels. Two ladies are sitting talking in one room with Jane's portrait is hung on the wall. Could this be Jane and Cassandra? Or is Jane downstairs playing the pianoforte in the drawing room for a gentleman? The bookcase looks like George Austen's from Steventon, the one that housed his collection of books that Jane would read. Servants can be seen around the house, and pets feature too as a cat sleeps on a maid's bed in the attic as a dog runs around the kitchen. Is this Cassandra's dog Scout? The House That Jane Built is an important Book Bench as it was the first one made, and as such was the prototype. It was displayed at each launch event and gave everyone a good idea of what a finished bench would look like. The detail of the design is wonderful, and the more you look inside this dolls house the more secrets you find. 3. Shall We Dance

Artist - David Graham Sponsor - The Ark Cancer Centre Charity Location - Willis Museum at Market Square

This design celebrates Jane's love of dance. The faded images are reminiscent of musical scores, and shows the floor plan and facade of The Vyne, the home of the Chute family where Jane was known to go for dinner and dancing. The Chute and Austen children were of similar ages and it was a family that Jane knew well. Shall We Dance reflects on the history of architecture, music and dance with a limited palette of sombre colours. Jane attended dances at the Basingstoke Assembly Rooms held above the old Town Hall in the Market Place. They demolished it in 1832 and the Willis Museum stands in its place. 4. There Is No Doing Without Money

Artist - Dominique Evans Sponsor - Royal Mint Location - Discovery Centre

This bench is decorated with doodles from the sketchbook belonging to Dominique Evans from the Royal Mint. She designed the new Jane Austen £2 coin that will come into circulation this year to commemorate the 200 years since Jane's death. Dominique says that she wanted to share with the public some of the ideas and concepts that evolved out of the painstaking research for the final coin design. She felt it fitting to draw on Jane's novels, her wealth of interesting characters and romance. As Jane is such a fundamental part of literary history, Dominique felt it was appropriate to have the writer at the heart of the design, maintaining the air of simplicity and grace she deserves. Her sketchbooks show the ideas for the new Jane Austen £2 coin.

A replica of the 1870 drawing of Jane by her sister is alongside a book, stamps, jewellery, a butterfly, and finally a pink peacock. A painting of the new coin alongside a silhouette of Jane is in the middle of the new coin with Jane’s signature from her Will.

A unique feature of this Book Bench is a large replica of the new £2 coin embedded into the front top corner. Fittingly, the quote comes from Northanger Abbey and says, ‘There is no doing without money.’ On the back is an envelope in reference to Jane's copious letter writing!

5. Beyond The Birdcage

Artist - Katy Stevens Sponsors - Consortium of Basingstoke Travel Businesses Location - Festival Square

Beyond The Birdcage was a clear favourite with visitors on the Book Bench trail, with its bright design, array of beautiful flowers, and painting of Jane writing with a large quill. The design represents the restrictions felt by women in Jane's time, with a bird flying out of a birdcage on the back representing the beginning of a new freedom, inspired by Jane at a time when women started to make their own choices. The birdcage represents the fact that women were trapped from expressing themselves. The flowers and honeysuckle which are synonymous with love and romance and found in country gardens all around Hampshire.

The quote, ‘Let other pens dwell on guilt and misery’ is from Mansfield Park, a novel in the pile. A cute hedgehog is one end of the book fold, and a squirrel is in the other.

This was the most popular bench voted for on the App, and raised the t highest amount at the charity auction.

6. Jane Talk

Artist - Jenny Leonard Sponsor - Rotary Club of Basingstoke Deane Location - Porchester Square

This modern design uses a series of popular quotes from Jane Austen screenplays which are scattered throughout the piece. These include, ‘I am half agony half hope’ and ‘It isn't what we say or think that defines us, but what we do.’ The bright yellow, orange and blue colours depict an image of the sun on the horizon and the dancing silhouettes are all characters from Jane's novels. Found in the busy shops at Porchester Square, the Rotary Club felt the design of the bench is in line with their values of community, charity and awareness, which was why they chose it. 7. Promenade

Artist - Laura Fearn Sponsor - Lamb Brooks Solicitors Location - The Malls

This Book Bench is inspired by the Regency streets of Bath where Jane lived after leaving her birthplace of Steventon when she was 25 years old. Jane used Bath as the setting for scenes in her novels Northanger Abbey and Persuasion. Although she wrote the novels over 200 years ago, most of the architecture remains the same today which makes it popular destination for Jane Austen fans. This bench features one of the most famous streets in Bath, The Crescent, which was called Camden Place in Jane's time. The curved street of houses, gardens and lower walls are featured on the front, and a landscape of the sweeping drive is painted on the back. The artist Laura Fearn is based in Bath and she loves the way light and shade fall on the beautiful buildings around the city. She dedicated her bench in memory of her sister. 8. Hearts

Artist - Deven Bhurke Sponsor - Abstract Securities Location - Basingstoke Railway Station

This design interprets Hugh Thomson's famous peacock cover of Pride and Prejudice and brings the characters to life in a fun and memorable way. Hearts is a way of ing Pride and Prejudice through a different and light-hearted aspect. The front is full of playing cards showing characters on the hearts, which could represent the romantic nature of Jane's novels. A blue abstract peacock pattern is arranged as a deck of cards on the back. This bench also reminds us that card games were popular in Jane's time. People played at the Assemblies and in the evenings at home with counters. Jane would not have known Basingstoke Railway Station, as it was built after her death in 1840.

9. Female Power

Artist - Fatima Pantoja Sponsor - Basingstoke Gazette Location - Fountains at Eastrop Park

This bench was one of the most brightest in the collection, and shows the artists Spanish roots in the design. Jane is working at her desk with a scroll of neverending paper, and the bold colours reflect the strength and the vibrancy of her ideas. For women at that time, writing was power as it enabled them to have a voice. The artist has framed the landscape with fountain pen trees that talk of Jane's ability to create manuscripts. The plants, some of them cactus blooms, represent her sharp wit and concise personality. 10. The Golden Peacock

Artist - Sian Storey Sponsor - Basingstoke Leisure Park Location - Eastrop Park

This beautiful bench celebrates the famous cover of the 1894 edition of Pride and Prejudice, known as the Golden Peacock cover, wrapping peacock feathers around the design and framing it with tropical blossoms. This bench explores the artist's ongoing interest in the beauty of nature, lavish colour and exotic patterns. What stands out about this design is the vibrancy found in the detailed pattern of the peacock. The blues, pinks and purples of this beautiful bird made it one of the winning designs as voted by the public.

Sian also designed the Once Upon A Time In Steventon bench. 11. Once Upon A Time In Steventon

Artist - Sian Storey Sponsor - Absolutely Offices Location - Old Basing Tythe Barn

The Once Upon A Time In Steventon features Jane's birthplace, the tiny rural village of Steventon and St Nicholas Church where Jane was christened. It looks like a fairytale story full of trees, flowers, mice, birds, toadstools and butterflies, and places Jane's childhood grounds in a fairy tale setting. A large deer and a sleeping fox are set in woodland on the back. Sitting here in Old Basing, the bench fits beautifully in the setting of the Tythe Barn which dates to the 14th century.

This is the second bench by the talented artist Sian Storey who also designed The Golden Peacock. 12. A Fine Day to Sit And Look Upon Verdure

Artists - Lynsey Brecknell and Kieron Reilly Sponsors - De La Rue Printing Location - Viables Craft Centre

A age from Jane’s novel Mansfield Park inspired this Book Bench, ‘To sit in the shade one fine day and look upon the verdure is the most perfect refreshment.’ The artist wanted to create a bench similar to what Jane may have sat on herself whilst searching for inspiration for her novels. A traditional white metal bench is on the seating area, and you can see Chawton Cottage through the railings on its back.

Placed outside Viables Craft Centre, the buildings here were part of the Portsmouth Estate. It is in the same business park as De La Rue, the printing company who also sponsored ‘Look Upon Verdure’. Their history also goes back 200 years as it was founded in 1813. They now produce Sterling for the Bank of England, including the new Jane Austen £10 banknote.

13. Girl Power Artist - David Graham Sponsor - The Ark Conference Centre Location - The Ark Conference Centre

This design depicts a selection of leading ladies from Jane's novels and acknowledges them as individual heroines, each with their individual traits and style. Jane's female characters have specific characteristics and strong personalities. Similar to comic book superheroes and their fantastic superpowers, it is a fun way to celebrate Jane's super heroines! The 'Austen Empowers' writing on the back of the bench could be a play on the 'Austin Powers' spy comedy films with black silhouettes representing Bond girls.

The brightness of the design is in contrast to some of the more sombre hues associated with scenes from Jane's novels. They were chosen deliberately to show the vitality and relevance of her work in society today. Situated in a quiet corner of a busy hospital, the artist hoped that visitors are inspired by its strength and positivity. 14. Dancing With Jane

Artist - Michelle Heron Sponsor - Festival Place Location - Milestones Museum

Jane was known to dance regularly at family houses and at the Assembly Rooms. Regency dancing and the balls that Jane and her characters danced at in her novels inspired this simple Dancing With Jane design. The characters are dancing on the manuscript of Jane’s last fully completed novel, Persuasion.

This bench was situated inside the Milestones Museum, a popular living history museum in Basingstoke full of cobbled streets, shops and transport from the past.

15. Willow Pattern Artist - Julia Brooker Sponsor - Destination Basingstoke Location - Walled Garden

This popular blue and white design is based on the famous Willow pattern that was first produced in Stoke-on-Trent in the 1780s, and it was very fashionable in Jane's time. Jane may well have sipped her tea from a china cup with this pattern, as fragments of this china set were found in the excavation of her childhood home at Steventon. The Austen family were acquainted with the family at Down Grange House, and this was their kitchen garden. The bench has been decorated with funny quotes from Jane's novels, ‘Men were put into the world to teach women the law of compromise’ and ‘Mary wished to say something sensible, but knew not what.’ They continue on the back, ‘It’s been many years since I had such an exemplary vegetable.’

Inside the book fold is a message from the artist, ‘With thanks to Jane Austen and Spode... without whom this would not have been possible. April 2017.’

16. Regency Life Artist - Nick Murley Sponsor - Portsmouth Estates Location - Beggarwood Park

This elegant and classic design of black and gold is decorated with a timeline of Jane's novels. The artist's inspiration came after reading about how Jane managed to write such a collection of novels in a relatively short period of time. It has an authentic Regency style with classic oak leaves in its design seen as a symbol of British patriotism at that time, especially during the Napoleonic conflicts. The oak leaf pattern and gold colour reminds us of Jane's pelisse coat. It is nestled in the woodland of Beggarwood Park, bordering the historical and extensive Portsmouth Estates.

17. Are You Sitting Comfortably

Artist - Mik Richardson Sponsor - Worting House Location - Worting House

This design captures the refinement and elegance of high society and has been cleverly designed so that when you are seated on the bench, it looks like you are seated on a Georgian sofa. The sofa is covered with a shining gold and green fabric, placed in a parlour in front of Wedgwood green and gold wallpaper. On the sofa lies Lady Susan’s Diary, in reference to Jane's early work, and a pair of white gloves and a riding crop. The bench decoration shows the romance between Elizabeth Bennett and Mr Darcy as seen in Pride and Prejudice. Their busts are facing each other on the back at either side of a table with two candelabras. Jane often visited Worting House and attended dances here. Lovelace Bigg Wither of Manydown bought the property in 1797, and left it to his son Harris who was briefly engaged to Jane in 1813. If Jane had accepted his proposal, it would have been her home.

When Jane and her friend Catherine needed a chaperone to go to the monthly ball at Basingstoke Assembly Rooms, they sought chaperonage from Mrs Clarke, the mistress of Worting. 18. Waiting for Mr Darcy

Artist - Traci Moss Sponsor - Oakley Hall Hotel Location - Oakley Hall

Mr Darcy inspired this design, and is in the form of a happy doodle-like figure sitting on a sofa next to a sign saying ‘Sit Here’. An arrow points downwards, so you too can wait for your Mr Darcy. The simple bright red, black and white is gender neutral, so everyone can identify with this simple yet bold and cheerfully quirky look at life. The artist says she likes to make people smile with her work. The Austen family were acquainted with Wither Bramston who completed Oakley Hall in 1795 after his marriage to Mary Chute of The Vyne, who was also known to Jane.

Jane visited them often and mentions in a letter, ‘At Oakley we did a great deal ate some sandwiches all over mustard, ired Mr Bramston's porter, and Mrs Bramston's transparencies, and gained a promise from the latter of two roots of heartsease, one all yellow, the other all purple, for you.’ 19. Do You Dance Mr Darcy?

Artist - Caroline Fairbairn Sponsor - Festival Place Location - St Nicholas Church, Steventon

Many of Jane's books have dancing as a key theme and a quote from Pride and Prejudice inspired the artist, ‘To be fond of dancing was a certain step towards falling in love.’ A couple are in a romantic hold and framed by black curtains with a love heart on the back. The characters look as though they have been cut out of black paper and placed over the background, which was a popular hobby Jane enjoyed.

This bench was placed outside St Nicholas Church Steventon where Jane was christened and worshipped as a child. 20. Look Upon Verdure

Artist - Lois Cordelia Sponsor - De La Rue Location - Overton Village Centre

The artist wanted visitors to pause during their hectic modern lifestyles, sit on the bench as in the picture and see nature, gardens and greenery. The quote is a line from Jane's novel Mansfield Park, ‘To sit in the shade one fine day and look upon the verdure is the most perfect refreshment.’ The focus point of the design is a wooden bench that sits under an archway made up of small dabs of blue paint which evoke the beauty of trailing wisteria, which was introduced to the western world in the late Georgian period. Hearts, stars and leaves, and Jane's signature copied directly from her Will adds further authenticity. An English woodland scene on the back has the sun peeking through the trees with the quote, ‘They are much to be pitied to have not been given a taste of nature early in life.’ Lois Cordelia, the artist, painted this design in four and a half hours during a public live art demonstration. Jane would have visited Overton regularly as her brother James lived in the Old Rectory as the curator at St Mary's church when Jane was 15 years old.

This was the second bench sponsored by De La Rue, the printing company founded in Jane Austen's time. The company also sponsored A Fine Day To Sit And Look Upon Verdure. 21. Threads Lace And Time

Artist - Corinne Marsh Sponsor - Jenton Group Location - Whitchurch Silk Mill

This feminine design in pale green and gold was inspired by visits to Jane Austen House Museum and Chawton House. The artist has considered Jane's lifestyle, interests, family, work and the threads that run through it. Watching lacemaking in particular evoked thoughts of the invisible threads that connect us all, and the artist has used this concept in her design. A large drawing of Jane writing at her desk adorns the front of the bench, and she is totally surrounded by pretty flowers and leaves. On the back, Jane's family tree forms part of the decoration alongside a drawing of St Nicholas Church at Steventon where Jane worshipped as a child. Jane was close to her family, and a white silhouette of her mother and sister are found at each end of the book folds.

Henry Hayter built Whitchurch Silk Mill with his son in 1816, and Jane would through Whitchurch on the way to Ibthorp to visit her friend Mary Lloyd. They have woven some fabrics and ribbons using the historic looms at the Mill for television productions of Jane's novels including the BBC production of Pride and Prejudice. 22. Bench and Benchability

Artists - Treloar College Art Students Sponsor - Alton Town Council and Alton Businesses Location - Curtis Museum, Alton

A collaboration of students from Treloar College created this design. It brings together themes and styles from Jane's time, including Regency life, calligraphy, silhouettes, fashion and Jane Austen's house. They decorated the bench in pink and turquoise, and large pink roses, musical notes and silhouettes as its pattern. It was a consistent winner with voters. Whilst living at Chawton Cottage, Jane would often shop in the nearby town of Alton and visit her brother Henry at his bank on Crown Hill, across the road from the Curtis Museum.

William Curtis was Jane's apothecary when she first became ill, so it seems fitting that the bench is outside the Museum dedicated to his family. 23. Chawton Woodwalk

Artist - Caroline Fairbairn Sponsor - Hampshire Councils Location - Jane Austen House Museum at Chawton

Chawton Woodwalk portrays Jane and Cassandra, walking through the woods on a patchwork quilt of autumn colours. The patchwork quilt was made by the Austen ladies at Chawton Cottage where Jane lived from 1809 until she died in 1817. Jane was known to be a keen walker, and she and Cassandra would walk every afternoon when the weather permitted. She loved the Hampshire countryside and nature, and the artist has captured this in her woodland scenes.

The quilt is covered with a quote from Jane's novel Persuasion, ‘Her pleasure in the walk must arise from the exercise and the day, from the view of the last smiles of the year upon the tawny leaves and withered hedges, and from repeating to herself some few of the thousand poetical descriptions extent of autumn, that season of peculiar and inexhaustible influence on the mind of taste and tenderness, that season which has drawn from every poet, worthy of being read, some attempt at description, or some lines of feeling.’ On the back of the bench is a series of autumn leaves that are patterned with Jane's novels and their dates. Chawton Cottage was the perfect place for it. 24. Jane and Her Forgotten Peers

Artist - Amy Goodman Sponsor - The University of Winchester Location - Winchester Cathedral

Jane spent the last months of her life at Winchester and is buried in the Cathedral, so it seems fitting that this last bench was in the grounds of Winchester Cathedral. On the back alongside a portrait of Jane are three other female novelists that were pioneers in their time for their independence and creativity. Eliza Hayward wrote over 70 novels in her lifetime, Delarivier Manley was one of the first professional women political journalists and quoted as saying, ‘Courage and clemency are equal virtues.’ Margaret Cavendish wrote the novel Blazing World, published in 1666 and one of the earliest examples of science fiction. The front is traditionally decorated with a quill, Jane sat at her writing desk, and a lady and gentleman dancing. A scroll down the middle dictates lines from Jane's novel Pride and Prejudice that starts, ‘There are few people whom I really love, and still fewer of whom I think well.’

The Sitting With Jane Book Bench Charity Auction

The Charity Auction took place on Friday 15 September, and was held at The Ark Centre at the hospital at Basingstoke. Everyone knew how important tonight was, as 75% of the proceeds from the charity auction would boost the Ark Cancer Centre Charity’s target to raise £5 million towards the building of a new state-of-the-art Cancer Treatment Centre. It was ticket only, and had been sold out for weeks. There was a buzz on the night as we arrived to a welcome of drinks and canapés whilst a string quartet played from Jane Austen’s music sheets in the background. The Book Benches were all cleaned and spruced up and grouped together for viewing so you could appreciate their differences. There were just two benches missing. ‘Jane And Her Forgotten Peers’ which had

been situated outside Winchester Cathedral, and ‘Once Upon A Time In Steventon’ which was at Tythe Barn in Old Basing. Both had been sold privately.

Live Painting by Lois Cordelia

As a special attraction on the night, Lois Cordelia treated us to a live painting session during the reception. She is the talented artist who painted Look Upon Verdure.

She painted a portrait of Jane in such a short time, and placed it onto an online bidding site the same evening to raise additional funds for the charity.

After the reception, we were invited into the auction room. It was crowded, and it was hoped that the bidders would be local to keep the benches in the area and ideally on display. There was a good possibility that this would be the case, due to their size and weight, as each bench weighed 36 kg and measured 1450cms long x 920cms high x 800cms deep - without their plinth! We all took our seats in the auditorium and waited for the telephone bidders to be arranged. Andrew Smith and Son were the auctioneers who donated their services. They had also sponsored the ‘A Fine House Richly Furnished’ bench which would be the second bench to go under the hammer. It was all very exciting, and the two highest bids of the evening went to the first and last lots, which were both voted the most popular at some point during the summer. Both achieving a selling price of £7,000 and were ‘The Golden Peacock’ by Sian Storey and ‘Beyond The Birdcage’ by Katy Stevens. The Rotary Club bought the Jane Talk bench which they had sponsored which was among the most visited on the trail. A crowdfunding appeal by NorthHantsMum enabled them to buy Girl Power to display in the Discovery Centre. Jane Talk was bought by their sponsor, the Rotary Club, to display in the Radiotherapy Unit at Basingstoke Hospital. On the night, a staggering £95,750 was raised just from the charity auction, and you can see how much each bench sold for below.

Auction Lot Sales

Lot Number - Title - Sale Price

The Golden Peacock - £7,000

A Fine House Richly Furnished - £5,500 Bench and Benchability - £4,000 There Is No Doing Without Money - £5,000 Promenade - £5,500 Regency Life - £4,500 Chawton Woodwalk - £5,500 Shall We Dance? - £4,250 Hearts - £2,000 Waiting for Mr Darcy - £2,500 Are You Sitting Comfortably - £5,750 Jane Talk - £4,500 Girl Power - £1,500 The House That Jane Built - £4,500 Threads, Lace And Time - £4,750 Dancing With Jane - £3,500 Female Power - £2,000 Willow Pattern - £2,750 Do You Dance Mr Darcy? - £4,000 A Fine Day To Sit And Look Upon Verdure - £4,000 Look Upon Verdure - £6,750 Beyond The Birdcage - £7,000

Ark trustee Merv Rees said, ‘Sitting With Jane has attracted a great deal of attention locally, nationally and internationally, and now the charity auction has delivered a superb final chapter. The amount of money raised for the charity is a great outcome for the cancer patients and their loved ones who will be helped and ed by the new centre, which will be a beacon of hope.’ The Sitting With Jane Book Bench trail was one of the most talked about events of the Jane Austen 200 celebrations of 2017. Thousands of people had ed us walking or cycling around to each one, and we had enjoyed voting on the app and sharing our photographs on social media. The auction raised so much money and being a success was simply the icing on the cake.

Which Jane Austen? War, Empire and Business

Oxford

Bodleian Library, Oxford 23 June - 29 October 2017

If adventures do not befall a lady in her own village she must seek them abroad.

Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey

To mark 200 years since the death of Jane Austen, the exhibition at the Bodleian Libraries at Oxford will challenge the current public perception of one of England's greatest literary heroes. This exhibition presents Jane as an ambitious and risk-taking businesswoman, and a daring wartime writer who was informed and inspired by the international adventures of her family. Britain was at war with during most of Jane’s adult life, and three of her brothers served in the military. She was enthusiastic about their careers and knew the names of their various ships and fellow officers. This gave Jane an international outlook on life as her brothers sailed all over the

world. They were great storytellers, and would often talk of their adventures in their letters and when they returned home. Jane read many books that dealt with the far corners of the British Empire, and this exhibition illustrates the influence of these international links on her writing through diaries, letters, logbooks and artefacts. Professor Kathryn Sutherland, curator of the exhibition said, ‘Contrary to popular belief, Jane Austen was no retiring country mouse. And while it is assumed that, as an 18th century female, her context was local and her outlook parochial, Austen was always very much a writer of the world.’

Of Special Interest

The Royalty cheque that Jane received for the profits from her novel Emma, as well as the original manuscript of her unfinished novel The Watsons.

The Exhibition

Ali Smith, a celebrated author, playwright and scholar, ed donors and special guests, including author Philip Pullman, at the Bodleian for the official opening.

Jane Austen Travels to London

Jane would travel to London to visit her brother and meet with her publisher. John Murray was the most glamorous publisher in London who had Lord Byron

and Walter Scott on his list of clients, who were the best-selling authors of the day. Of special interest and rarely seen are the letters between John Murray and William Gifford discussing Jane’s book, and the deal that had been agreed with her. John Murray employed William Gifford as an editor for the first Tory Quarterly Review. John had asked William for advice about the deal with Jane, and it seems he had been quite unkind in his response. William does look solemn and imposing in this rather bold portrait by John Hoppner. John Murray’s Business Ledger is open to show the payment to ‘Miss Austen’ as discussed in the letters, which notes the expenses for publishing her novel Emma.

The Royalty Cheque for Emma

Jane received a royalty cheque in October 1816 for her novel Emma, which annoyingly is written out to 'Miss Jane Austin’. It is for 38 pounds, 18 shillings and 1 penny, and is the only cheque she received from Murray in her lifetime.

Jane had to counter-sign the back with the same incorrect spelling of her name in order to withdraw the funds from the bank.

Jane’s Navy Brothers

Frank was Jane’s eldest brother who had a successful military career, becoming an iral in 1848.

Lay open at the entry describing the Battle of Trafalgar and the death of iral Nelson is the Logbook written out by Frank whilst he was Post-Captain of HMS Canopus. Jane’s famous letter to Frank was written to him in July 1813 whilst he was serving on board HMS Elephant. Jane mentions her novels and shares family news. Frank was in the Baltic, and Jane mentions her interest in Sweden and hopes her brother is enjoying his time in a country she considers ‘so distinguished’. She hopes he doesn’t object to her mentioning his ships in her novel Mansfield Park. Frank was often away at sea for months at a time, and he made this wooden Letters Case for Jane just before she died. It must have taken him many hours to complete, and he has carved the Austen Family Coat of Arms and Jane’s initials on the front. The inside pocket is big enough to hold papers or letters to keep them safe from loss or theft.

Letters Case carved by Frank Austen as a gift for his sister Jane Austen

Jane greatly ired her brother Frank, although her inspiration for Fanny Price’s brother in Mansfield Park came from her youngest sailor brother Charles.

The Watsons Manuscript

The Watsons is the earliest surviving manuscript of a novel by Jane which she abandoned in the process of development. It is thought she started writing the story whilst living at Bath around 1804, and it was put away and never finished. It tells the story of Emma Watson who was adopted in childhood by a rich aunt and uncle. Following the uncle’s death, her aunt remarries and Emma is returned to her birth family after an absence of fourteen years.

The Watsons Manuscript abandoned by Jane Austen

London Shopper

Jane loved going to London to visit her brother Henry and discuss her works with her publisher. She found the city a social place and using Jane’s letters as our guide, we follow her for 3 days and nights in April 1811, September 1813, and March 1814. She talks of shopping for fabric at Grafton House, for tea at Twinings, Wedgewood china, and in the evenings attending parties and the theatre. We can follow her route through the famous streets of London, down Pall Mall, across St James Park into Bond Street, on to Piccadilly, and down the Strand, through Covent Garden and into Drury Lane.

Items on Display

A Memoir of Jane Austen by her nephew Edward Austen dated 1870, opened to reveal Jane’s portrait. Volume the First, a collection of short stories, mini-plays, verses and fragments that Austen wrote between the ages of 12 and 18. Wheatsheaf Inn, Popham, Hampshire bill alongside an image of the Wheatsheaf Inn, where Jane picked up her letters whilst living at Steventon. Sanditon, the novel left unfinished in the last months of Jane’s life, on loan from

King's College, Cambridge and opened on the last page of her writing. A ticket of ission to the trial of Warren Hastings, impeached in 1787 on charges of corruption. Jane’s niece Anna Lefroy’s draft novel (that her aunt Jane Austen advised her on). First-edition copies of Jane’s novels Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park and Persuasion, open at the ages relating to war. Martha Lloyd’s household Recipe Book used at Chawton Cottage. Jane’s Travel Writing Slope bought for Jane by her father as a 19th birthday gift. Usually found in the British Library. Routledge Railway Library selection of six of Jane’s books. Two booklets showing a play that Jane wrote called Sir Charles Grandison. Music book that Jane hand-copied. It was probably owned by an elderly relative before Jane took it over and made it her own. Jane’s Family and professional letters that reveal Jane in her own words. A series of edited clips from the earliest to the most recent film and TV adaptations of the novels (presented in collaboration with the BBC).

The Bodleian has one of the world's three most significant collections of Jane Austen items, and has loaned items for this exhibition from Oxford College collections, King's College, the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, Cambridge, Chawton House Library, Jane Austen House Museum, the British Library, the John Murray Archive, and the National Library of Scotland. Although this is a fairly small exhibition, the selection of Jane’s music, plays, novels, manuscripts, and letters it a personal reflection of Jane’s life and well worth seeing in the vibrant university town of Oxford.

The Navy at the Time of Jane Austen: Fighting, Flirting and Fortune

Gosport

Gosport Gallery, Gosport 15 July - 20 September 2017 The Navy at the Time of Jane Austen exhibition is fittingly held at Gosport, just across the sea from Portsmouth on the south coast. Jane’s brother Frank was educated at the Portsmouth Royal Naval Academy from the age of 12, and Charles followed five years later. They were both sailors in the war against Napoleon, and on active service in the golden era of the British Navy and later became irals. The Navy was a profession that Jane knew and ired, and she followed her brothers’ careers avidly. She used their situations in her novels including the names of two of their ships, Elephant and Canopus. Mansfield Park includes a vivid portrait of life in Portsmouth for the midshipman William Price, the brother to the heroine Fanny, and the less attractive iral Crawford. Persuasion presents iral Frost, and the hero of the novel Captain Wentworth. Although Jane has sometimes been portrayed as a country mouse, she had an international outlook as her family went all over the world to India, China, Canada, the West Indies, Africa, and Scandinavia. They were prolific letter writers and would send news of their adventures from abroad, and when at home would tell colourful stories about their travels.

Jane read the wartime news and texts, and as Britain was at war for most of her life, there was much to talk about Fighting, Flirting and Fortune.

Of Special Interest

You can see a small fragment of one of Jane’s letters written to her brother Charles. Exotic items brought from overseas include a delicate shell purse and a cricket cage from China (as in the garden variety!).

The Exhibition

The Gosport Gallery is a large airy open room with high ceilings. The glass cases around the room hold various pieces relating to the Navy in Jane’s lifetime, and the Information Boards above talk about the Navy as a profession. One of the surprising insights I gained from this exhibition is how the wives and children of sailors lived on a ship. Even when Britain was at war, which would be unheard of today. Jane’s brother Charles met and married his wife Fanny in Bermuda, and she lived on board with him and their children.

A New World

In this first collection are items that a sailor would have owned and taken to sea. Of the most useful is a com in its own case, a plate and bowl, a picture sketchbook, and a book of sailing boats to read during quieter times or for children. This beautiful piece of artwork is a miniature portrait of a handsome military

officer. A lady would have kept it to remind her of her loved one.

All At Sea ~ Women on Board

Although life at sea was a man’s world, some officers’ wives stayed on board a ship with their husbands, while others came on board when the ship was in port. Babies were born at sea and children grew up on board, which seems astonishing as England was at war with for most of that time. Charles took his wife and children on board with him when he sailed. They were very much in love, and had their portraits pained in 1807 when they were still young. Tragically, Fanny died in childbirth aged 24.

Portraits of Commander Charles Austen and his wife Fanny Austen by R Field 1807.

The cups, plates and jugs displayed here would have been used by officers’ wives. The women would often sing, sew, play games and craft when alone, and here is a set of ladies dominoes, a horn dice cup, purses, and a bone model showing a woman sat at a spinning wheel. A small carved wooden doll is next to a baby gown, a small dress and bonnets for young children. The only item of Jane’s in this exhibition is a piece of a letter that she wrote. In the 1800s when someone died it was usual to distribute their letters, in part or in full, to friends and family as a keepsake. It looks like this has happened here.

Glamour

Nelson’s victory at the Battle of the Nile in 1798 provoked, just one month later, a fashion for society ladies. It became all the rage to dress ‘a la Nile’. At a Ball in Kempshott Park in Hampshire, Jane wore a Mamalouc cap, which is a blend of a turban with an Egyptian fez and ‘all the fashion now.’ Officers wore smart uniforms to come ashore, and this example in red and gold braid has survived in wonderful condition.

A highlight of this exhibition is a beautiful yellow and white silk dinner dress patterned with oak leaves, depicting the patriotism that was felt and fashionable at that time. It dates to 1815, and this style came into fashion when Jane was about 20 year old when dresses started to be taken in under the bust. Trimmed in yellow braid, it is in wonderful condition.

A New World

Both men and women were surprisingly well travelled, reaching for distant lands. The ‘Wonders from the East’ display some fabulous pieces that were brought back by ship’s crew from different countries, including this special Chinese Ivory Crick Cage made of ivory that dates to the late 1700s. Receiving prize money for capturing an enemy ship was a legitimate way to gain a fortune at that time, like Captain Wentworth in Persuasion. This cage would have held live crickets and is the kind of exotic luxury item available for sailors to buy. ‘From the Mediterranean’ came the craze for porcelain, and the pottery on display here was brought back and used by officers’ families. ‘Cashmere and Gold’ display two cashmere shawls that were brought back to England from India. One has a woven decoration, and the other is embroidered. An opened silk fan alongside shows a decoration of Egyptian motifs, and as women would fan themselves at Balls, this would have been a fashionable and enviable item. Other items shown from around the world include Pastille burners, Egyptian obelisks, and a porcelain bowl from China which has been hand painted with mandarin figures. A shell cameo brooch is decorated with an image of Hebe and Zeus in the form of an eagle, and would have been an exotic item by English standards.

Three or Four Families in a Country Village

Country clothing suitable for country folk Country folk wore more practical clothes to farm the land in contrast to those sailing at sea. This included Jane’s family as they lived in the Hampshire countryside, and her father lived off the strip of his land which is when the farmers gave him a percentage of their profits. A waistcoat, shirt and tros in a brown tweed type of fabric look similar to those worn today, and was probably worn by a land manager. The shotgun alongside was used for hunting which was popular, mainly for food though sometimes for sport. The ladies dress and a girls dress with a matching bonnet look rather worn, and the style indicates that they were probably owned by servants or general workers as they have long sleeves and are made from thicker fabric.

The Napoleonic Wars ~ Pictures and Paintings

View from Portsdown Hill overlooking Portsmouth Harbour by Dominic Serres c1778. Portsdown Manor is house on the hill above Portsmouth where Frank lived in the years before his death. Portsdown Hill from Baffins Farm by Alfred Collins c19th century. Portraits of Commander Charles Austen and his wife Fanny Austen by R Field 1807. The two portraits were painted in 1807 when Charles and Fanny were still young. Charles met his wife Fanny in Bermuda where she was staying with her father, the Attorney General. Tragically, their happy marriage was short lived as

Fanny died in childbirth on board a ship aged 24. Francis Austen c1835 (two watercolour sketches). Charles Austen in later life, painted in his uniform at around 60 years old. ‘Trion’ and ‘Unite’ by s Austen 1807. Prison Hulks in Portsmouth Harbour by Ambrose Louis Garneray c1810. HMS UnicornInaction Against A French Frigate. Bellerophon Storm at Sea c1840. Bellerophon was the ship under the command of Charles Austen when it was caught in a gale off the coast of Syria while on a tour of duty in the Mediterranean.

The Gun Cabinet

Volley Seven Barrel Shotgun. Seven Barrel Volley Gun by Nock from the late 18th century. Telegraph Game Gun. Musketon Gun by Cooper c1780.

Retail and Romance: Jane Goes to the Ball

Basingstoke

Willis Museum, Basingstoke 29 July - 7 October 2017 Visitors to the Retail & Romance exhibition were surprised to learn that Jane knew the town of Basingstoke very well. Located almost eight miles from the village of Steventon, it was a fair distance away by carriage. Jane would often stay with her friends at Ashe Rectory or Manydown Park who lived closer to the town. They would go shopping, to the theatre and attend the dances held at the Basingstoke Assemblies from time to time. ing the new bronze statue of Jane in the Market Square, this exhibition is in the Willis Museum in Market Square. The building was once Basingstoke Town Hall which replaced the original Mote Hall which held the balls that Jane danced at. Jane's letters from this period are full of references to her two distinguished sailor brothers, Frank, who was promoted to Commander, and Charles who was stationed on the Tamar frigate. She also talks of shopping, fashion, dresses, hats and shoes and this is reflected in the many items on display.

Of Special Interest

An additional treat of this visit was a talk by one of Jane's descendants Rebecca Smith, who is an author and the five times great niece of Jane's brother Francis. Many pieces on display are from the 18th and 19th centuries, including a fragile black silk evening gown that dates to c1811. Jane would have been familiar with many of the items, although only the pelisse coat belonged to her.

The Exhibition

The Gallery is divided into sections that align with the Retail and Romance title. ‘Retail’ includes what people generally bought in this period. ‘Growing Up In Georgian England’ explores how people employed their time with hobbies, hunting and entertainment, and how the gentry and clergy lived. ‘Jane Goes To The Ball’ displays smart clothing, card games, pottery, and the rules you would have to follow.

Let’s Go Shopping

The opening gallery is themed ‘Let’s Go Shopping’ and ‘It's a Man's World’, and displays items purchased and worn during the Regency period. This room includes the highlight for many Jane Austen fans, her Pelisse coat, an item we know belonged to Jane. After making some money from the publication of her books, she purchased this luxury fabric in 1812 and had it made to measure into a long coat, so it would have fitted her perfectly. Made of a brown silk weave and decorated with a repeat design of patriotic oak leaves, the lining is made of a different kind of fabric in light cream. At one time it would have had a belt which has since been lost. The size of the coat suggests

that Jane was between 5 feet 6 inches and 5 feet 8 inches tall, and a petite UK size 6 (US size 2). The information board reads that Jane Austen's letters are full of references to shopping, particularly when she was staying in Bath or London. The quotes are taken from Jane’s letter to Cassandra dated 20 April 1811, ‘I am sorry to tell you that I am getting very extravagant and spending all my money.’ Jane took a keen interest in her appearance and loved shopping for clothes and accessories such as ribbons and trim. For balls, ladies would wear gowns with short sleeves and a hat or feathers for decoration. This selection of bonnets and fans, fine shawls, and satin shoes would have been worn by wealthy ladies on special occasions. The perfume bottles and powder cases were carried in little purses, and the rings and hairpieces worn for decoration are quite delicate. Many items were brought back from India or Europe, like the scarf and silver trinket box.

A Selection of Ladies Accessories for a Ball

A special piece that caught my eye in this case is the delicate purse made of pearl with a shell design. It has a silver pattern around the edges and would have been carried on a chain. It could be imagined to be in the shape of an anchor or buoy, fashionable at the time as a show of to the Navy who were active in .

Satin dancing shoes that would be worn to dances at the Assemblies or at a Manor House

Of special interest in this glass case are a pair of black shoes with a spotted yellow pattern. They date to around 1795 and are in such good condition and so delicate it is remarkable to think they are so old.

It's A Man's World

The information board here talks of Jane writing about shopping in her novels, such as Frank Churchill in Emma buying a pair of gloves. This is followed by a quote from a poster for men's clothing, ‘Lay out half a guinea at Ford's and your popularity will stand upon your own virtues.’ Men would have worn these items depending on their profession and lifestyle. Landowners were usually engaged in law, banking or the Church, although the wealth of a clergyman depended upon his parish. The black top hat is in immaculate condition, has its own box, and would have looked very impressive when walking out with a lady. The three-pointed military hat was worn by a soldier, and the hunting hat for a day out shooting. The variety of shoes on display range from clogs worn by working men to smart leather shoes similar to the ones worn today.

Growing Up In Georgian England

This section highlights how young children were, for the first time, regarded as a separate group rather than as miniature adults. The first cabinet contains toys and

games that are still popular today such as puzzle pieces, books, spinning tops, and jigsaws. Jane used this cup and ball and we know from her family letters she was particularly good at it. The fish counters and penny pieces for keeping score were used when people played cards at the Assembly Rooms. Miniature skittles, counters, and tiny dominoes were popular games for both children and adults. Some game pieces are carved from bone and stored in crafted boxes, possibly the work of POW’s from the war in . A card game here pokes fun at how swiftly some marriages were arranged and is aptly named, ‘Would You Like To Be Married In Half An Hour!’

Games and Counters used in card and board games

Marriage was a popular topic for young girls and this handwritten game of Consequences has a question, ‘Are you not partial to handsome men?’ with one of the potential answers being, ‘Yes, in a corner’. The cowrie shells were used as currency.

Game of Consequences with Cards and Cowrie Shells c1800-1820

Jane often writes about playing cards in her novels, including a noisy game of lottery tickets in Pride and Prejudice.

What to Wear

The clothes of a lady and her two children are shown in this cabinet. A silk dress in green fabric has small capped sleeves that go over long sleeves, that has a fashionable circular collar. By looking closely you can see the good quality of the fabric, and it would have been expensive to buy which is probably why it has survived in such good condition.

Day Outfits for a Regency Family

There are two other outfits, a fitted jacket and tros set with a hat for a boy, and a cream frilly dress and overcoat in matching fabric for a girl. Each has a doll, a boy doll in a blue outfit and a girl doll in a pretty white dress. The final cabinet contains guns and a mullet which reminds us that England was at war through most of Jane's life. Jane's two brothers went to the Navy Academy at Portsmouth when they were just 12 years old.

Dancing at the Ball

This final section is a display of fine clothing that ladies and gentlemen wore to the Assembly Rooms in the 18th and 19th centuries. The outfits are placed on mannequins, and as you walk between them you feel you are at the Ball. Interestingly, the information board says that Jane was far more interested in her characters than what they were wearing. This is probably true in reference to her novels, although not in her personal life. Jane loved shopping and would often make alterations to her clothes adding bows or ribbons to bring them in line with the latest fashions. A lady and gentleman are playing cards which was popular at the time, at home and at the Assemblies. Jane's mother especially enjoyed this pastime and Jane mentions this in her letters.

Playing cards with counters at the Assembly Rooms

Every ball had an interval period where refreshments would be served in the teacups, plates, coffee pots, and various pieces of pottery laid out on this table.

Selection of Refreshments for the Ball Interval

The gentleman at the front is wearing a matching coat, waistcoat, and breeches made of thick black wool. The large flat brown buttons decorate the coat down either side and they have sewn a cream frill around the bottom of each sleeve. His dancing partner is wearing a beautiful long silk dress made of cream fabric that has a flower pattern sewn at intervals. The sash is sewn just under the bust which became fashionable in the early 1800s. The short puffed sleeves have been delicately inlaid with pieces of silk brown fabric which has also been added inside the scooped neck.

Cream Flowered Gown and Military Style Jacket

Dancing behind this pair is a red military-style jacket which is belted with a bright red silk sash tied at the side. It has a fetching yellow square front piece with matching cuffs, adorned with brass buttons, sewn in sets of two. It is worn with cream breeches cut off at the calf. His partner is wearing a long dress that is more subtle and could have been made for somebody older or for winter months. The dress is made of pale brown fabric with a sheer patterned black lace sewn over the top. A narrow sash in matching fabric is sewn under the bust and the square neck has tiny bows at each corner. The sleeves are slightly longer and sit above the elbow, decorated with a contrasting pink triangle pattern which may have been added later.

Black Beaded Ball Gown and Military Style Jacket and Breeches

The gentleman at the back is wearing a matching black coat, waistcoat, and breeches. The coat is decorated with smart metal buttons along the hem and around the cuffs. Alongside this smart gentleman is a particularly fetching blue silk ballgown patterned with small flowers and a wider sash fitted at the waist. The short sleeves are decorated with large ruffles of cream satin fabric which also edges the square neck. Just by the quality of the fabric and the stitching, you can see this dress was an expensive item.

Blue Silk Ball Gown and Coat Tails and Breeches

Each Assembly Room had its own set of rules for the balls they held, which Jane has written about in her novels. This room is decorated with some of them including, ‘Young ladies must always be chaperoned by a married woman or an older couple.’ And, ‘If a lady turns down a request to dance from a gentleman she must turn down all others’ and ‘A gentleman must only ask a lady to dance to whom he has been personally introduced.’ The final one we especially like, ‘The Waltz is not permitted!’

Special Events

This Chapter features some of the more unusual activities that took place in 2017 to celebrate the 200 year anniversary of Jane Austen’s death.

Floribunda Jane Austen Rose London and Chawton Discover the World of Jane Austen Winchester Jane Austen Festival: Ten Days in Bath Bath Jane Austen Regency Week Alton and Chawton Rain Jane Trail Winchester Reflect in the Memorial Garden Winchester

The Stinking Fish of Southampton Southampton Jane Austen at Winchester Cathedral Winchester

Floribunda Jane Austen Rose

London

Chelsea Flower Show May 2017

I sat three-quarters of an hour in the flower-garden, while Fanny cut the roses; and very pleasant it was, I assure you.

Jane Austen, Mansfield Park

A new Jane Austen rose is as vibrantly colourful as her characters.

Unveiled at the Chelsea Flower Show, a new rose has been created to celebrate Jane Austen’s bicentenary year. With a bright and intense orange flowered Floribunda, the rose has perfectly formed buds open to multi-petaled flowers from summer and into autumn. With a light sweet scent and a great depth of colour, the rose radiates warmth. Later in the year, Alan Titchmarsh will plant the rose in the gardens of Chawton Cottage, now the Jane Austen’s House Museum. Alan is a well-known English gardener and television presenter, and also an Ambassador for the Museum. Harkness Roses are generously donating a percentage of the proceeds from the rose to the Museum’s fundraising appeal to restore and protect Jane’s home. The rose can be purchased from Harkness Roses or from the Museum shop.

Discover the World of Jane Austen

Winchester

Hampshire Records Office, Winchester 19 July 2017 On the evening of 19 July, a special evening event marked the bicentenary of Jane Austen’s death. On display by the Hampshire Cultural Trust were documents in their care relating to Jane’s life, her family, and the period she lived in. Most of which are fragile, over 200 years old, so rarely seen by the public.

Of Special Interest

The start of the display showed the written entry for Jane’s Baptism, alongside the famous of Marriages from St Nicholas Church Steventon which Jane had doodled in as a girl. The books that belonged to John Ring were open recording the sale of Jane’s Travel Writing Slope to her father for her 19th birthday.

The Exhibition

Professor Emma Clery from the University of Southampton gave an interesting talk about Henry Austen, his bankruptcy and the financial scandals in England at that time, the topic of her latest book. The Madding Crowd played live Regency music, whilst drinks and nibbles were served, which made it a perfect Jane Austen evening Jane would have enjoyed.

Jane Austen Marriage Bans

The highlight of the items for me was Jane completed the marriage bans with comical entries. At the front of each , there were specimen entries to show clergymen how to complete marriage records. Jane appears in the for December 1775. She write the Banns of Marriage between Henry Frederic Howard Fitzwilliam of London and Jane Austen of Steventon, then Edmund Arthur William Mortimer of Liverpool and Jane Austen of Steventon, and finally she witnesses her own marriage, Jack Smith, Jane Smith, late Austen in the presence of Jack Smith, Jane Smith.

John Ring Books

The books of John Ring, auctioneer and furnisher of Basingstoke, survive from 1785 to 1796. His records show the sale of a Travel Slope to George Austen at the end of 1794 which was a gift for Jane’s 19th birthday. The description reads, ‘A small mahogany writing desk with long drawer and glass ink stand compleat’. Hampshire Archives care for a selection of Jane Austen letters and her music books, letters from her brother Edward to his son at Winchester College, diaries relating to friends and family from the area include Elizabeth Chute from The Vyne. You can also read Edward Austen’s books for his Chawton Estate, and the entries relating to the building works made to Chawton Cottage before the Austen ladies moved in, and ongoing work that was needed to the property.

Jane Austen Festival: Ten Days In Bath

Bath

Bath 8 - 17 September 2017

Oh! Who can ever be tired of Bath?

Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey

The Jane Austen Festival is an annual event held in Bath, usually during the second week of September. It runs for 10 days and features over 80 events centred around Jane and her time in Bath. The theme for the Festival this year was Northanger Abbey, so many of the events and activities were themed around the novel. As it was 200 years since Jane died, there were more activities than usual as more visitors had been expected. Jane lived in Bath from 1801 to 1806 and set two of her novels here, Persuasion and Northanger Abbey. Relatively speaking, little has changed since Jane lived here. You can visit the Roman Baths, take the water in the Pump Rooms, walk

along The Crescent, go shopping on Milsom Street, and dance in the Assembly Rooms. All as Jane did all those years ago, which is why so many Jane Austen fans want to visit Bath.

The 2017 festival took place from 8 to 17 September in 2017, and we were amongst a record number of 4000 Jane Austen fans that descend on the city for Jane’s bicentenary celebrations. People came from as far away as Canada, Japan, America, New Zealand, Australia, and from many places across Europe. The theme for this year was Northanger Abbey which was set in Bath, and many of the events were themed around the novel.

Jane Austen Summer Ball

The first major event of the Festival was the Summer Ball held in June, just a few weeks before the 200th anniversary of Jane’s death. Held in the Assembly Rooms, it was a joyous event of over 200 people celebrating everything about Jane’s life. Along with dinner and dancing, we enjoyed playing card games, quizzes and impromptu readings from Jane’s Northanger Abbey.

Regency Grand Promenade

To kick off the September Festival, and a highlight of the week for us was the Regency Grand Promenade. Around 600 people met at the majestic curved row of Georgian townhouses high above Bath, on the Royal Crescent that Jane frequently mentions in her novels. The Militia band started up and played its tunes as they marched ahead of the procession of ladies, gentlemen and children in Regency dress as we scrolled through the city streets of Bath. There were hundreds of spectators along the route, cheering, waving and taking photographs.

The walk ended in the Parade Gardens where a Georgian picnic was underway, and a Militia camp was set up for the soldiers.

Jane Austen Regency Ball

Dancing is a very important part of the week, and The Jane Austen Dancers held classes in the Assembly Rooms in the afternoons to learn the dances. It is a lot harder than it looks, and much faster than it looks in Jane’s films, so we were quite exhausted at the end of the day. The Regency Ball is one of the two key events of the week, traditionally called the Country Dance. It is held at Bath’s Guildhall on the first Saturday of the Festival. The second is the famous Masked Ball held at the Pump Rooms that includes a drinks reception by the torch-lit Roman Baths.

At the Theatre

The big hit of 2017 was Northanger Abbey by Heartbreak Productions which they performed at The Mission Theatre. Built in 1797, it is thought that Jane came here to see plays, which made it an extra special place to visit. Although we missed it, we heard that Adrian Lukis gave a great performance of his Mr Wickham at a local theatre. He was also ed on stage by Mr Bennett, the actor Benjamin Whitrow which apparently brought the house down. There were many other pop-up outdoor theatrical performances of key scenes in Jane’s novels, most in 20 minute versions that took place around Bath. The Natural Theatre Company performed a funny performance called Austen

Undone, a dramatic love story with unexpected plot twists and turns.

Music, Walks and Talks

The Austen Trio performed some of Jane’s family music in the Assembly Rooms, and the actress Hayley Mills added a celebrity sparkle to The Story of Pride & Prejudice. As fans of Pride and Prejudice, we went to the talk that Simon Langton gave. He was the Director of the BBC production with Colin Firth as Mr Darcy. He talked about Colin Firth and the famous wet shirt scene that is not in the book, and how cold it was for Colin on that day! There were many other interesting talks including The Rise and Fall of the Bath Stagecoach, Beechen Cliff and the Bath Landscape, Jane Austen and Her Architectural Imagination in Northanger Abbey, and Rummaging Through the Reticule to name a few. We enjoyed lots of special moments during the bicentenary Festival. It is definitely worth a trip to Bath to attend, although you do need to be on the Festival mailing list. Ideally sign up as a ‘Friend’ to get early access to tickets, especially the two Balls, as they sell out very quickly. We made lots of new friends, and caught up with old ones. And we got to dress up and talk all about Jane Austen for more than a week!

Jane Austen Regency Week

Alton & Chawton

Alton and Chawton 17 to 25 June 2017 Jane Austen Regency Week is a series of events held over nine days in the town of Alton and the nearby village of Chawton. Started by a group of volunteers, it has grown in popularity and size each year with a series of Jane Austen plays, talks, walks, stalls, carriage rides, dances and tours. The town of Alton is close to Chawton, and Jane would walk into Alton almost every day with her sister to post and collect her letters, go shopping, and visit her friends and family. As well as 2017 being a special year as the 200 year anniversary since Jane’s death, Jane Austen Regency Week are also celebrating their own 10-year anniversary. The first Saturday was the busiest of the week, and Alton Regency Day opened with a series of stalls on the High Street. On sale were Regency clothes, hats, shoes, needlepoint, ribbons, books and crockery. A lively pony and trap took the children on a tour around the outskirts of the town, returning them to soldiers playing their flutes and drums in the market square. Hampshire Regency Dancers held a Workshop in the Alton Assembly Rooms in the afternoon. This meant that the guests were well rehearsed by the time they arrived at the Regency Ball.

Each year the dances make up a story, and this year the theme was Emma and the trip to Box Hill. Hampshire Regency Players played music that Jane would have been familiar with and led the dances. Once we had danced energetically for a few hours, a Regency buffet of puddings and biscuits was gratefully received. On Sunday 18 June, a special Choral Evensong for Jane Austen was held at St Lawrence Church. Jane had often visited the church to attend the baptisms of her own nieces and nephews, and the children of her childhood friends. The following days were a mix of walks, talks and tours. An interesting talk was led by Dr Gillian Dow around the Fickle and Fortunes Exhibition at Chawton House Library. She presented an interesting contrast about the fame of Jane Austen and Germaine de Staël, both in life and after death. Deirdre Le Faye gave an insightful talk on ’Jane Austen A Local Heroine for 200 Years’ that explored Jane’s connection with Hampshire. ‘How Jane Loved The Theatre’ was presented by Dr Paula Byrne who discussed her book Jane Austen and the Theatre. The following Regency Week Talks were cleverly titled, The Importance of Aunts and Darcy Then, Now and Forever. And a local historian, Jane Hurst gave an insightful talk about Jane Austen’s Apothecary. He was Mr Curtis who Jane refers to as her ‘Alton Apoth’y’, and had treated Jane in the early stages of her illness. Needing a little more imagination was An Excursion to Sanditon, where we were spirited away to a new seaside resort through readings from Jane’s last novel. A pleasant afternoon was spent visiting Wyards Farm, a 17th century house which was the home of Jane’s favourite niece Anna Lefroy. Jane frequently visited her niece in Alton and mentions Wyards in her letters. Anna painted Wyards Farm in 1815, and a copy is on display in the Jane Austen House Museum. The closing Sunday was a day of sunshine. An all-day Cricket Tournament was played by local teams dressed in period costumes, competing for a 500 guineas prize. Cricket was played here on The Butts in Jane Austen’s day, and there is an of a ladies cricket match in 1811 between Hampshire and Surrey.

Luckily, Hampshire won. The day closed with a Regency Supper at a nearby hotel, which was a wonderful way to end a week full of Jane Austen, as we packed away our dresses for another year.

Rain Jane Trail

Winchester

Hampshire With the 200 anniversary of Jane Austen’s death on the horizon, Winchester City Council commissioned an innovative new project called the Rain Jane Trail. The trail exposed of 12 Jane Austen quotes in 39 locations in and around Winchester, written using a special paint that only appears when it rains.

‘One cannot have too large a party’ from the Jane Austen novel Emma. Found outside the Wykeham Arms.

The brainchild of the project was a local company, AR Design Studio which is found in Little Minster Street. Andy Ramus of AR Design Studio commented, ‘Jane sadly died at just 41 years old and we wanted to mark the fact her life was cut short with this temporary installation. Hopefully, local people will experience a sense of delight and surprise as they unexpectedly come across her words and her wit. The quotations have been carefully placed in strategic locations chosen by Visit Winchester and the team here – many that have an ironic link to the words so there is an ‘in-joke’ about society in general that shows how relevant her work still is. The ones we found around the town were nicely linked to things Jane liked to do. Their placement is associated with the quote used, or is simply a piece of Jane’s good advice!

Rain Jane Trail Quotes

On College Street outside PG Wells bookshop. ‘Indulge your imagination in every possible flight’ from Pride and Prejudice. At the top of the High Street. ‘The distance is nothing when one has a motive’ from Pride and Prejudice.

On the High Street outside Marks and Spencer. ‘One half of the world cannot understand the pleasures of the other’ from Emma as she talks to her father about the boisterous nature of Mr Knightly. Outside the Jeremy Jewellers on the High Street. ‘There are many forms of love as there are moments in time’ from the film adaptation of Mansfield Park about Fanny. At the steps of Winchester Discovery Centre Library. ‘The person.. who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid’ was said by Henry to impress Catherine in Northanger Abbey. In The Square. ‘One man’s style must not be the rule of another’s’ from Emma as Mr Knightly comments on Frank Churchill’s letter to Mrs Weston. At the Wykeham Arms on Kingsgate Street. ‘One cannot have too large a party’ are the words of Mr Weston as he invited the Eltons to their picnic on Box Hill (Emma disagreed). Outside O’Neills Irish Bar. ‘Every savage can dance’ said Mr Darcy disapproving of the enjoyment of dancing in Pride and Prejudice. On Little Minster Street. ‘I have no notion of loving people by halves. It is not my nature’ from Northanger Abbey.

Outside Wild Sports on Jewry Street. ‘Run mad as often as you choose, but do not faint’ was the advice given to Fanny in the BBC production of Mansfield Park. At the door of the Winchester City Museum. ’You must be the best judge of your own happiness’. Said by Emma when her friend Harriet receives a proposal from Mr Martin. By Buttercross busking seat. ‘Without music, life would be a blank to me’ was said by Mrs Elton boasting about her musical attributes in Emma. An additional quote was added to the Jane Austen Memorial in College Street, across the road from the house where Jane had died 200 years before. This was the well-known quote from Mansfield Park, ‘Let other pens dwell on guilt and misery’.

When the quotes were worn from footfall or washed away with the rain, they disappeared forever. A fleeting tribute for Jane, an author whose life was cut short too young. The Rain Jane Trail was sponsored by Winchester College and the Jane Austen Society of North America.

Reflect in the Memorial Gardens

Winchester and Bath

24 July 2017

Know your own happiness. Call it hope.

Jane Austen, Sense & Sensibility

College Street, Winchester

The full quote from the novel is, ‘Know your own happiness. You want nothing but patience or give it a more fascinating name, call it hope.’ Owned by Winchester college, the garden opposite the house where Jane died in College Street was renamed as the Jane Austen Memorial Garden. This was for a limited time in 2017 to mark the 200 years since her death. The garden has always been named after the incumbent heaster, so in Jane’s time it was known as Doctor Gabell’s garden.

The living wall in the Jane Austen Memorial Garden created for 2017

Jane mentions it in her letter to her nephew Edward, ‘…Our lodgings are very comfortable. We have a neat little Drawing-Room with a bow window overlooking Dr Gabell’s garden.’ A large living wall of ivy climbs the large memorial built for the occasion that features the shortened quote from Sense and Sensibility. Along the bottom of the memorial is a line of Georgian houses, flanked on either side with Jane's signature in two round plaques. The garden has large pink rose bushes grown over a large trellis on one side, that give a wonderful fragrance to the garden when in bloom. Local sculptor Nicola Henshaw created a carved metal and wooden bench in a Regency style. It makes a nice addition to the garden and gives the visitor somewhere to sit. Nicola worked with Eileen White to develop ideas for the design with children from the local Winnall Primary School. They used Jane’s words, ‘To sit in the shade on a fine day and look upon verdure is the most perfect refreshment’ as the inspiration for the design.

Bath Memorial Gardens

Bath Memorial Gardens are found below the streets of Bath by looking down over the stone walls that surround it. The large open book flower sculpture has the words ‘Jane Austen’ and a black silhouette of her on the left hand page. On the right hand page is a quote from Jane’s novel Northanger Abbey that says, ‘Oh! Who can ever be tired of Bath.’

Display of flowers as an open book in Bath Memorial Gardens

The Stinking Fish of Southampton Festival

Southampton

26 June - October 2017

Beware of the unmeaning luxuries of Bath & the stinking fish of Southampton.

Miss Jane Austen, Love & Freindship, 1790

The Austen ladies moved from the expensive city of Bath to a house in Southampton to live with Jane’s brother Frank and his wife Mary in 1806. It was after George Austen’s death, and the family lived in the city until the move to Chawton in 1809. In 1807, the family moved to a house in Castle Square with a large garden. It was rented from the second Marquis of Landsdowne who had built an imposing mock-gothic castle which his family demolished after his death in 1819. Many of the buildings in the city that Jane knew were either bombed in World War Two or more recently replaced with commercial buildings. There is little to see except for the Dolphin Hotel where Jane danced in the upstairs rooms to celebrate her 18th birthday, and pieces of the city walls that remain. The Sarah Siddons Fan Club arranged the Jane Austen 200 celebrations in

Southampton to celebrate Jane’s time in the south-coast city. A street theatre group from the Southampton area., they take their name from the 18th century actress Sarah Siddons, one of the early female acting pioneers who often performed in Southampton. Mrs Siddons had performed at the Mission Theatre in Bath, which Jane had frequented, and it was there that Jane ired Mrs Siddons ‘real acting’. The Fan Club had decided that Jane’s time in Southampton should not be overlooked, and won a Heritage Lottery Grant to create The Stinking Fish of Southampton Festival. The idea was to show what Southampton was like in the 18th century, including the more unknown parts of the city associated with Jane.

The Stinking Fish of Southampton Festival

The Stinking Fish of Southampton Festival Poster

What was impressive about the Festival was the variety of events. We enjoyed theatre performances, many walks and talks, a Book Launch weekend, and spending time at Netley Abbey ruins amongst the beautiful countryside that Jane loved to visit. Dres and dancing at the Regency Ball held at the Dolphin Hotel was extra special, as Jane danced in this same ballroom to celebrate her 18th Birthday. The Stinking Fish of Southampton Festival opening night on the 26 June and we were entertained by Taking the Flounce or Nonsense & Insensibility. This theatrical perambulation was a fun walking theatre performance around the streets of Old Southampton with animated actors talking of Royalty, artists, Navy Officers, bathing, and the health benefits of taking the flounce. We enjoyed the Book Launch weekend, seeing the new books launched about Jane Austen and her life. The Gothic Literary Festival at St Edmund’s Church in Netley Village was loosely themed on Jane’s novel Northanger Abbey, although the series of talks were very much about Netley’s literature heritage. Topics discussed included Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson (who did his training at Netley Hospital), Gothic Tourism, and the king of the Gothic, Horace Walpole. The City Walks were themed around Jane Austen, her novels, or topics relevant to people living in the 18th and 19th century. We particularly enjoyed the Jane’s Pattens to Peartree walk, where Jane walked to visit the Lances at Peartree, their Southampton family home. Jane visited Netley Abbey with her niece Fanny who was particularly impressed by its atmospheric ruins. Excursions took visitors to Netley Abbey for Gothic Guided Walks, and on 6 August we enjoyed a Jane Austen Picnic that recreated Jane’s picnic along with Regency games and dancing. For the main weekend of 30 September to 1 October, the variety of events included embroidery workshops, tea and scandal, concerts with the Madding

Crowd, dancing workshops with the Duke of Wellington Dancers, walks, talks, and finally the Regency Ball.

The Stinking Fish of Southampton Events

26 to 30 June at Old Southampton Taking the Flounce Street Performances Spa Fever has gripped Southampton, Royalty, artists, and naval officers are flocking to the town to take the waters and indulge in sea bathing. Mr Martin has enrolled the help of the Austen ladies to promote the health giving benefits of taking the flounce - what can possibly go wrong? 2 July & 27 August at The Bargate, Southampton Jane Austen & Southampton Spa Walk Walk the streets so familiar to Miss Austen and Miss Jane, who knew the town as schoolgirls, teenagers and young adults. It was all about connections, and that is what drew Mrs Austen and her daughters to set up home in Southampton. 9 July at The Bargate, Southampton Trafalgar Days Walk It was well know that Jane Austen loved the navy and sailors, and there was much to interest her in the town of Southampton. Find out about the towns links to Nelson and other naval heroes. 16 July at The Bargate, Southampton

The Bits Jane Left Out Walk Life in Georgian Southampton wasn’t all balls and reading novels. There was a dark underbelly beneath the glittering spa town. 23 July at Southampton Art Gallery Officers & Gentlemen Walk Stroll around Regency Southampton, and see the new suburbs where wealthy people bought holiday homes outside the confines of the old walled town. 30 July at St Michael’s Square Pattens to Peartree: Jane Visits the Lances Walk Jane, like her heroine Elizabeth Bennet, enjoyed long walks and thought nothing of a five mile stroll to call on her acquaintances. your guide to recreate Jane’s walk to Peartree to call on the Lances. 6 August at Netley Abbey and Netley Village Netley & the Gothic Walk Find out why Jane Austen and her fellow writers Horace Walpole and Thomas Gray were drawn to the ruins of Netley Abbey to feel inspired by its gothic ruins. 6 August at Netley Abbey Jane Austen Picnic Pack a picnic with your bonnet and us in recreating Jane’s picnic at Netley Abbey, with tours around the ruins, Regency games and dancing.

13 August at Netley Abbey Literary Netley Walk Writers, artists, poets from across the centuries have been drawn to Netley. Find out about the links to famous detectives, lost poets, country churchyards and medieval monks. 20 August at Southampton Old Cemetery From Revolutionary Times to Waterloo Walk Jane Austen lived through stirring times. This walk looks at some of those that fought the French at sea and on land. Includes a Tale of Trafalgar, battles from the Peninsular War and stories from the Battle of Waterloo 1815. 30 September at St Michael’s Church Evening Concert with The Madding Crowd Dressed in period costume of 1820, the Madding Crowd perform music familiar to Jane and her clergymen relatives. Includes Southampton born Charles Dibdin, a composer and performer who wrote The Soldier Lament, which Jane amended to The Sailor’s Lament in her copy. 30 September at Dolphin Hotel Jane Austen and Scandal Tea drinking was the height of fashion in 18th century England. us for cream tea and gossip. An Aunt on Trial, The Warren Hastings Scandal, Bankruptcy & the Powlett Affair! The Austen’s involvement in the scandals of the day ..and the scandals in Jane Austen’s novels. 30 September at Tudor House

Hourly Talks that feature aspects of Jane Austen life in Southampton. Georgian Ladies of Tudor House with Miranda Murphy Revealing the fascinating lives of the occupants of Tudor House during the time of Jane Austen. Jane’s Unhappy School Days with Clio O’Sullivan Jane’s unhappy and short lived school days in Southampton ended with an outbreak of putrid fever, but there was more to Jane’s early education and early writing than this traumatic experience. The French Street Theatre with June Effemy Jane was not impressed with the French Street Theatre, even though it hosted the top performers of the 18th century including the Keans and the Kembles. Jane Austen’s Landlord: The Marquis of Lansdowne with Jean Watts The many paintings of Southampton Castle do not depict the medieval fortification but the gothic inspired residence of the notorious Marquis of Lansdowne, who among of things was the Austen’s landlord. Putrid Throat & Things Medical with Mary South Jane Austen’s last unfinished novel Sanditon pokes fun at the pretensions of a small provincial town reinventing itself as a fashionable spa. Find out more about the ills and cures that were rife in Southampton during its spa days. 1 October at St Michael’s Church Jane Austen Service with her Prayers and Music

A Sunday service with prayers by Jane Austen and music that would resonate with Jane’s clergyman father and brothers. 1 October at Dolphin Hotel Jane Austen Regency Dance Workshop In the Jane Austen Suite with the Duke of Wellington Dancers. Time to practice your moves before the commemorative ball which will close the Southampton Jane Austen Festival. 1 October at Dolphin Hotel Jane Austen Regency Banquet & Ball Miss Austen danced at the Dolphin’s Assembly Balls, and danced with a French officer with ‘dark eyes’. Meet the Master of Ceremonies, the Marquis of Lansdowne and Lady Betty Craven as well as Jane Austen herself! 16 - 22 October at St Edmund’s Church Gothic Literary Festival 16 October - Philip Hoare, Spike Island and Beyond 16 October - Joseph Sale, The Cathedral of the Deep 17 October - Dale Townsend, ‘They are not the ruins of Netley, but of Paradise’: Literature, Art Tourism at Netley Abbey 1700-1850 18 October - Gillian Dow, ‘ we are English’: Gothic Villains, Sentimental Heroines, and Northanger Abbey at 200

19 October - Ann Victoria Roberts, ion and Possession: Bram Stoker, Moon Rising and Dracula 20 October - Neil McCaw, The Sherlock Holmes Phenomenon 21 October - Cassandra Clark, The Alchemist at Netley Abbey 21 October - Cheryl Butler, Jane Austen & Southampton Spa 21 October - Simon Sandell & John Hare, Netley Abbey, Jane Austen & the Gothic Imagination 22 October - Marie Edwards, Jane Austen’s England 22 October - Matt Beames, New Tales & Old Stories, Sir Bevis of Hampton 30, 31 October & 1 November at Netley Abbey A Mystery of a Horrible Nature Ghost Walk

Jane Austen at Winchester Cathedral

Book of Memories, A Lasting Legacy

Available to Inscribe from May to September 2017 As a lasting legacy to the 200 years since Jane died, the Cathedral invited visitors to record their own personal thoughts of what Jane’s life and novels had meant to them in a special Book of Memories. People from all over the world had written their names, home town and thoughts into the book as a new lasting legacy from this bicentenary year. The book is now a permanent record of who visited Jane’s grave and the Cathedral for the anniversary of Jane’s death. It was given to Tim and Pete Wiltshire from P & G Wells Bookshop on College Street, the same bookshop that Jane’s father had bought his books from so many years ago. It is just a few doors along from 8 College Street where Jane died. The pages were hand-stitched and bound into a leather journal before being returned to the Cathedral for safe-keeping. It is now a lasting addition to the Cathedral’s own collection of Jane Austen artefacts.

Inspired by the Word

8 June to 30 September 2017 Inspired by the Word is a small art exhibition by contemporary artists celebrating the literature of three Hampshire writers, Jane Austen, Edward Thomas and Gilbert White. Winchester Cathedral invited a selection of artists to create and then showcase their pieces of art inspired by Jane and the Cathedral setting. The artwork presented in the South Nave is an array of sculptures, letter carvings, plaques and paintings. Their uniqueness prompted many moments of reflection and much discussion.

Inspired by the Word, Jane Austen Bust

Inspired by the Word, Jane Austen Plate

Inspired by the Word, Jane Austen Stiching

Inspired by the Word, Jane Austen Oval

Inspired by the Word, Jane Austen Statue Miniature

Jane Austen Treasures

April - October 2017 For the months of April to October 2017, additional items from Jane’s life were added to the permanent exhibition of Jane’s life in Hampshire. The items were borrowed from collections around the world, including those from Winchester Cathedral and Winchester College Archives. Some of the items have rarely, if ever, been seen by the public. The collection included a First Edition of Emma printed by John Murray and dated 1816, a poem written in Jane’s handwriting, and a silhouette of her made after her death rounded off this small exhibition in the corner of the Cathedral. For the months of June and July you could see the most significant items relating to Jane’s death at Winchester.

Winchester Cathedral Burial

The Winchester Cathedral Burial for 1817 shows the entry for Jane Austen. It correctly records Jane’s funeral as being on 24 July 1817, although the clerk has incorrectly written that Jane died on 16 July 1817, two days earlier than the actual date of her death on 18 July.

Winchester Cathedral Burial showing the entry for Jane Austen’s Funeral

The handwritten draft for the Memorial Stone Engraving for Jane Austen dated 1817 by Henry Austen was displayed underneath the Burial . Henry probably consulted with the Austen family to create the fitting dedication to his treasured sister. It was addressed to Winchester Cathedral, presumably for them to on to their stonemason. Alongside Henry’s draft was a copy of a poem called ‘Venta’. It is handwritten by Jane’s eldest brother James who took Holy Orders at Oxford and succeeded to the living at Steventon when his father retired in 1801.

Jane Austen 200 Success

Jane Austen Gives Hampshire a £21 Million Boost

This was the headline used by newspapers and internet news feeds throughout the British press and worldwide. Tourism South East had commissioned a report to better understand the financial impact of Jane Austen’s bicentenary year, and it showed that all the hard work and investment had paid off. The Jane Austen 200 celebrations had added £21 million to Hampshire’s economy, with more than a million extra visitors to the region. A specific 265,000 visitors were attracted to Hampshire because of the Jane Austen events, resulting in an additional 70,000 bed nights. Winchester Cathedral continually sold out their series of events, and over 1000 people attended their services for the anniversary of Jane’s death. Winchester Discovery Centre averaged a 70% increase in visitor numbers through the popular The Mysterious Miss Austen and Malady and Medicine exhibitions. The city was sold out! Jane Austen House Museum attracted 26,000 visitors for the months of June, July and August, even though they had loaned out many of their own treasures to other exhibitions. Chawton House attracted almost 10,000 visitors to the Fickle and Fortunes exhibition, 6,000 more visitors through the ‘Great House’ doors than in 2016. The live unveiling of the Jane Austen statue in the Market Square at Basingstoke saw 100,000 hits on their Facebook page, and #SittingwithJane went viral on social media with 570,000 impressions in just one week. That campaign raised almost £100,000 for a local cancer charity and gave an estimated boost of £1.1m to their local economy. At Bath, the Jane Austen Festival had been sold out for months with its Northanger Abbey theme. Over 4,000 people attended their series of events, and 600 people ed the opening Parade with hundreds more lining the streets to watch. Around 140,000 Jane Austen fans visited the Jane Austen Centre, and tickets to any event were hard to find.

Six million people visited Bath in 2017, with around a third from overseas, 50% of those from the USA. Visitors to the Pump Room and Roman Baths attracted 1.3m people during Jane Austen’s bicentenary year, an increase of 8.4%. Plus, a record 100,000 of those were speaking Mandarin! Hampshire Cultural Trust had led the Jane Austen 200 project. Many people had worked tirelessly behind the scenes, on days, nights and weekends to pull together a vast, and most special series of events. Some were employed by various charities and institutions, and some were volunteers like me. Collectors, both public and private, had kindly agreed to share their Jane Austen treasures. We knew there was going to be great things on show. Many exhibitions were free, and visitors were simply asked for a donation of what they could afford. Jane Austen 200 was open to everyone. Finally, whilst I searched extensively for information about the 200 year anniversary of Jane’s birth in 1775, I only found two items. The town of Steventon produced a booklet called Steventon and the Austens to commemorate the 200 year anniversary of Jane’s birth. Inside is a biography of Jane Austen’s life at Steventon, and a small list of events including a cricket match and a service at St Nicholas Church.

The second is a poster from Bath to celebrate 200 years since Jane’s birth. Jane Austen Bi-Centenary Celebrations 1775-1975, City of Bath, 6th to 11th October 1975.

Poster of Jane Austen Bicentenary Celebrations being held in Bath between 6th and 11th October 1975

I think this demonstrates how Jane Austen’s popularity has grown, even since 1775. For that, we can probably thank the many TV and Film adaptations that have kept her novels alive, and that Jane Austen can be found on the curriculum at some schools. As Jane’s popularity has grown each year, so has her fan clubs and social media groups. We can all share our love of Jane Austen, whether in person or from a destination far from her family home. 2017 was not a year about money, unless you count the £10 banknote and £2 coin. It was a year about bringing people together who love Jane Austen. We were able to see so many treasures associated with Jane, and together from around the world in person and online to share in Jane’s talent, her life, her love of family and the legacy she has left behind. The next Jane Austen anniversary in my lifetime will be in 2025, which will mark 250 years since her birth. I look forward to seeing you then! Emma

Jane Austen Resources

Jane Austen Events List of Jane Events in 2017 Jane Austen Links Useful Websites

Jane Austen 200 Events

This is a comprehensive list of the Jane Austen 200 events for 2017 in date order. Please consider that over time some of the links may cease to be active. You can the Jane Austen 200 list of events from: www.janeaustenquickstepguide/Jane-Austen-200

RAIN JANE TRAIL January - August Winchester, Hampshire An art trail of 12 Jane Austen quotes appearing only in the rain. Placed in 39 locations around the city of Winchester in locations linked to Jane’s life. http://www.hampshireculture.org.uk/sites/default/files/resources/rain_jane_0.pdf

JANE AUSTEN AMONG FAMILY AND FRIENDS 10 January - 19 February The British Library, London Items were brought together by the British Library and the Bodleian Library, some of which were reunited for the first time in 40 years. http://www.bl.uk/events

JANE AUSTEN IN 41 OBJECTS 10 March - 16 December Jane Austen’s House Museum Jane was only 41 when she died, and the Jane Austen in 41 Objects told the story of Jane’s life and legacy through 41 different items held in the Museum’s

collection. Taking the form of a revolving exhibition, a different object was displayed each week accompanied by thoughts from a range of guest authors. www.janeaustenshousemuseum.org.uk/41-objects

RETHINKING SANDITON 11 March Chawton House Library, Chawton ‘Such an unfinished fragment cannot be presented to the public’ wrote James Edward Austen-Leigh. This afternoon of Sanditon will consider this unfinished and understated novel 200 years after its composition. www.chawtonhouse.org

JANE’S HISTORY: A THEATRICAL CONCERT OF PINCUSHION WIT 23 March Chawton House Library, Chawton A lively evening recital in two parts encoming John Howell Morrison's miniature opera setting of Jane Austen's A History of England alongside vocal works by and about women in the Georgian Era. www.chawton.org/events

THE MYSTERIOUS MISS AUSTEN

13 May - 24 July Winchester Discovery Centre This exhibition explores the intriguing question – who is Jane Austen? Jane’s portraits are under the same roof with some of Jane’s most personal possessions not seen for 40 years. www.visitwinchester.co.uk/mysterious-miss-austen

JANE’S WINCHESTER: MALADY AND MEDICINE 13 May - 24 July Winchester Discovery Centre Jane arrived in Winchester in May 1817 to receive treatment for her illness. This exhibition offers a snapshot of the city in that fateful year - the sights and sounds, hospitals and doctors, friends and family. www.visitwinchester.co.uk/jane's-winchester-malady-and-medicine

JANE AND HER ALTON APOTHECARY 3 June - 20 August Allen Gallery, Alton When Jane Austen felt unwell, she consulted her Alton apothecary, William Curtis. It is said that he was the inspiration for Mr Perry, the apothecary in Emma. www.hampshireculture.org.uk/allen-gallery

INSPIRED BY THE WORD 8 June - 30 September Winchester Cathedral As part of a multi-venue exhibition, the Cathedral will showcase a range of artists who have created work inspired by Jane and the Cathedral setting. www.winchester-cathedral.org.uk

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO AUNT JANE? 8 June Winchester Discovery Centre Chaired by Louise West, co-curator of The Mysterious Miss Austen, with Paula Byrne and Kathryn Sutherland discussing Jane's legacy 200 years after her death: who is she, and what have we done with her? www.hants.gov.uk/wdc

JANE AUSTEN IN WORDS AND MUSIC 10 June St Nicholas Church, Steventon A Regency-costumed evening of readings and chamber music by composers

represented in Jane Austen’s family music books and a performance of the Jane Austen Suite by Philip Andrews. www.ashepark.com

FICKLE AND FORTUNES EXHIBITION 12 June - 24 September Chawton House Library, Chawton July 1817 saw the deaths of Jane Austen and Germaine de Staël. This exhibition shows how, over the two centuries since, the reputations of these two writers have realigned in ways that would have astonished their contemporaries. www.chawtonhouse.org

WHAT MATTERS IN JANE AUSTEN? 15 June Winchester Discovery Centre John Mullan explores the rituals and conventions of Jane’s fictional world to reveal her technical virtuosity and her sheer daring as a novelist. www.hants.gov.uk/wdc

JANE AUSTEN BY THE SEA

17 June - 8 January 2018 Brighton Pavilion, Brighton This show looks at the relationship Jane had with the ocean and the role it played in her works. The Prince Regent’s copy of Emma, as well as prints, paintings and letters. www.brightonpavilion.co.uk

JANE AUSTEN REGENCY WEEK 17 June - 25 June Alton and Chawton A week of Regency walks, talks, music, food and dance. An annual event with greater significance in her bicentenary year. www.janeaustenregencyweek.co.uk

SITTING WITH JANE 17 June - 31 August Basingstoke An inspired art trail in and around Basingstoke following 24 Jane Austen Book Benches. Shaped like an open book each is designed by a professional artist in a style inspired by Jane Austen's life. www.sittingwithjane.com

FROM JANE AUSTEN’S POCKET 18 June University of Winchester A day-long writing workshop with Rebecca Smith, the Writer in Residence at Jane Austen’s House Museum. With a focus on Jane Austen’s methods and techniques, you will make good progress with your writing. www.writersfestival.co.uk

EMBROIDERY WORKSHOP 20 June & 22 June Chawton House Library, Chawton Jane was a neat sewer and her needlework was very much ired. Using rare 18th century patterns from Lady’s Magazine (1770-1832) Charlotte Bailey and develop your own needlework skills. www.chawtonhouse.org

HOW JANE AUSTEN LOVED THE THEATRE AND WHY SHE WORKS IN HOLLYWOOD 21 June Chawton House Library, Chawton

Dr Paula Byrne who will explore Jane Austen’s lifelong love of the theatre, and her continuing popularity on stage and screen today. www.chawtonhouselibrary.org

JANE AUSTEN FOLLIES AND NONSENSE WITH BELLE CANTO 21 June Church Cottage, St Michael’s Church Belle Canto will entertain you with a mix of romantic and show songs, all introduced by short readings from Jane Austen novels. Which Jane Austen heroine was ‘So in Love’ and who ‘Can’t Say No?’. Proceeds to ‘Jane’s Fund’. www.bellecanto.uk

JANE AUSTEN: WILD FOR DANCING 22 June Winchester Discovery Centre, Winchester Come and the Duke of Wellington’s Dancers and experience one of the great joys of Jane Austen’s life, novels and times! Wild for dancing? Jane certainly was! www.hants.go.uk/wdc

WALK IN JANE AUSTEN’S FOOTSTEPS - CHAWTON OPEN

GARDENS 22 June Chawton Village Take a walk in the footsteps of Jane Austen around her beloved Chawton. The grounds of Chawton House and Jane Austen’s House Museum will open, as well as other charming gardens around the village. www.chawtonhouselibrary.org

WHICH JANE AUSTEN? 23 June - 29 October Bodleian Libraries, Oxford Which Jane Austen? presents Jane as an ambitious and risk-taking business woman and wartime writer. A special item is the Royalty Cheque that Jane received for Emma made out to Miss Jane Austin! www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/whatson/news/2017/jun-03

JANE AUSTEN AT THE BBC: A CELEBRATION IN FILM, TV AND RADIO 24 June Jane Austen House Museum, Chawton The BBC presents a compilation of Jane Austen's productions, from the earliest broadcasts to the present day. Henrietta Foster, a freelancer for the BBC will introduce this unique event.

www.jane-austens-house-museum.org.uk

JANE AUSTEN - BASINGSTOKE AS SHE KNEW IT 24 June Willis Museum, Basingstoke Jane Austen knew Basingstoke well. this guided this walk around the places she frequented, and hear stories about the people she met. This walk will tell you all about Jane’s local connections. www.bas-herit-soc.org

CYPHERS PRODUCTIONS PRESENT NORTHANGER ABBEY 25 June Proteus Creation Space, Basingstoke A tale of growing up fast, theatre company Cyphers bring a playful and charming style to Jane Austen’s classical satire. This is a ‘work in progress’ piece, being developed throughout 2017. www.wegottickets.com/proteustheatre

JANE AUSTEN AT HOME 28 June

The Haymarket, Basingstoke Lucy Worsley talks about her new biography of Jane Austen and dispels the myth of the cynical, lonely spinster, instead offering a portrait of a witty and ionate woman of her time. www.anvilarts.org.uk

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE OUTDOOR THEATRE 28, 29 & 30 June The Inner Close, Winchester Cathedral Illyria outdoor play of Pride & Prejudice. Lizzie Bennett and Fitzwilliam Darcy hate each other! Or do they? Can she see beyond his pride and can he overcome her prejudice in order to achieve happiness? www.winchester-cathedral.org.uk

JANE AUSTEN BICENTENARY SUMMER BALL 1 July The Guildhall, Bath In the Banqueting Room a pre-ball dance workshop is held prior to the Ball in the evening. Knowing a few steps will enhance your experience and is great fun! Following is the Jane Austen Regency Summer Ball, this year celebrating Northanger Abbey and the life of Jane Austen. www.janeaustenfestivalbath.co.uk

JANE AUSTEN TOURS 1 July Winchester Cathedral Starting at the Jane Austen Memorial Garden on College Street, walk through Winchester to see where Jane spent her final months ending at her grave. On the first Saturday of each month July to November. www.winchester-cathedral.org.uk

RECONSTRUCTING JANE AUSTEN’S SILK PELISSE 5 July Bodleian Libraries, Oxford Find out more about the only garment known to have belonged to Jane, her silk pelisse coat. www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/whatson/whats-on/-events/2017/jul/janeaustens-silk-pelisse

MR DARCY’S DRESSMAKER 5 & 6 July Whitchurch Silk Mill, Near Basingstoke

The year is 1837 and Mr and Mrs Darcy are busy planning the wedding of their beloved daughter. Mrs Darcy as she stitches the gown for this great occasion and shares snippets of gossip. A one-woman play followed by a talk by textile conservator Sarah Howard. www.whitchurchsilkmill.org.uk

PRIDE AND PICNIC WITH JANE 7 July War Memorial Park, Basingstoke Love will be in the air when Jane Austen’s romantic drama Pride and Prejudice is brought to life in an open-air screening of the award-winning film. www.celebratingjane.co.uk

MEETING MISS AUSTEN 8 & 9 July Winchester Discovery Centre In association with 2Time Theatre, this play is based on Jane's Juvenilia and we hear the voice of the teenage Jane in tales of love, loss, vice and victuals. www.winchesterfestival.co.uk

MY DEAR CASSANDRA WALKING TOUR

10 July Winchester Tourist Office Walk through Regency Winchester to mark the 200 th anniversary of Jane’s death in 1817, with quotes from her books, poems and letters read by ’Georgian’ players along the way. www.winchesterfestival.co.uk/walks

JOANNA TROLLOPE ON JANE AUSTEN 13 July Theatre Royal, Winchester Joanna Trollope considers Jane Austen’s genius, the economic circumstances of her world and the realities and hardships of her life. www.winchesterfestival.co.uk/programme/13-july/#joanna-trollope

THE NAVY AT THE TIME OF JANE AUSTEN: FIGHTING, FLIRTING AND FORTUNE 15 July - 20 September Gosport Gallery, Gosport Jane's brothers were on active service in the golden era of the British Navy and you can see the danger and drama, entertaining and social life aboard ship, through her novels, letters and s. www.hampshireculturaltrust.org.uk/gosport-gallery

JANE AUSTEN 200TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION 16 July Tylney Hall Tylney Hall pays tribute to Jane Austen with a quintessentially English afternoon tea and dancing with the Hampshire Regency Dancers. www.tylneyhall.com

JANE AUSTEN ARCHIVES 19 July Hampshire Records Office A talk led by Emma Clery about Jane Austen that includes seeing here Baptism Entry, some of her letters and Regency music from The Madding Crowd. www.hants.gov.uk/archives

JANE AUSTEN IN BASINGSTOKE 20 July Basingstoke Discovery Centre This fascinating walk is led by Debbie Reavell, of the Basingstoke Heritage Society. Take a guided walk around Basingstoke and see the places where she

danced, shopped, visited, and found inspiration for the world which shaped her novels. www.hants.gov.uk/shop/home

JANE AUSTEN’S PERSUASION 15 - 22 July Chesil Theatre, Winchester Winchester Dramatic Society formed 150 years ago and perform Persuasion in one of the oldest buildings in Winchester. Jane’s novel portrays the lost loves of the heroine Anne Elliot. www.chesiltheatre.org.uk

JANE AUSTEN WEEKEND 15 & 16 July Basing House, Basingstoke us at Basing House for a Jane Austen and Regency themed weekend of dancers, speakers, donkey rides and afternoon teas. Special Jane Austen Picnic Packs are available. www.janeausten200.co.uk

CHORAL EVENSONG FOR JANE AUSTEN

18 July Winchester Cathedral, Winchester A special service of Choral Evensong held in Winchester Cathedral where Jane was buried. www.tickets.winchester-cathedral.org.uk

ENGRAVING JANE 18 July Jane Austen Centre, Bath The micro artist Graham Short presents a £5 banknote to the Jane Austen Centre. www.janeausten.co.uk

JANE AUSTEN FUNERAL PROCESSION 18 July & 24 July College Street, Winchester At 8.30am on the anniversary of Jane’s death and on her funeral, a retracing of her funeral procession from College Street to her grave. At 9.00am a bell will toll 41 times, one for every year of her life. www.tickets.winchester-cathedral.org.uk

KING’S COLLEGE JANE AUSTEN EXHIBITION 18 July King’s College Old Library, Cambridge This special exhibition at King’s College features Jane’s last unfinished novel, Sanditon. It was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund as part of the Thackeray Project. www.kings.cam.ac.uk/events/calendar

MUSIC RECITAL FOR JANE AUSTEN 18 July Winchester Cathedral Nave, Winchester Listen to the Austen Trio playing music belonging to Jane and her family. www.tickets.winchester-cathedral.org.uk

UNVEILING JANE 18 July Market Square, Basingstoke Jane Austen has returned to the Market Square as a life-sized bronze statue created by Adam Roud. www.basingstoke.com

UNVEILING THE NEW JANE AUSTEN £10 BANKNOTE 18 July Winchester Cathedral The Bank of England unveils the first public view of the Jane Austen £10 banknote. www.tickets.winchester-cathedral.org.uk

CHAMBER OPERA TOURS PRESENT JANE AUSTEN’S PERSUASION 18 July Theatre Royal, Winchester An original music adaptation features songs from Jane Austen’s manuscripts and music of the era, a chamber orchestra, beautiful Regency costumes, projected scenery and dancers. www.theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk/jane-austens-persuasion

JANE AUSTEN’S BANKER BROTHER AND FINANCIAL SCANDAL IN REGENCY ENGLAND 19 July Hampshire Records Office, Winchester

Professor Emma Clery showcases original documents relating to Jane and her family. This will include Jane’s baptism entry, Jane’s music books, a diary that records Jane’s death, and items relating to her banker brother Henry. www3.hants.gov.uk/austen.htm

JANE AUSTEN REGENCY TEA AND READINGS 23 July Inner Close of Winchester Cathedral Enjoy Regency tea and cakes at this outdoor Jane Austen gathering. Bring along your favourite Jane Austen book and share in everything Jane Austen! www.tickets.winchester-cathedral.org.uk

JANE AUSTEN’S CULTURAL AFTERLIFE 27 July Winchester Cathedral ‘What Katy Did Next’ is an American children’s story in which Katy and her family visit Jane Austen’s grave. This lecture explores how Jane Austen’s legacy lives on, even in the half-light of zombie culture! www.tickets.winchester-cathedral.org.uk

RETAIL AND ROMANCE: JANE GOES TO THE BALL

29 July - 7 October The Willis Museum, Basingstoke Austen wrote about the world she knew, and that most definitely included how one behaved at a ball, what one wore and what one ate. Visitors will be entertained by the gentry, the gowns and the gossip. www.hampshireculturaltrust.org.uk/willis-museum

HERITAGE EXHIBITION 29 & 30 July Holy Trinity and St Andrew’s Church, Ashe A celebration of the history of Ashe, the home of Jane’s friend Madam Lefroy and its connections to Jane Austen. www.achurchnearyou.com/ashe-holy-trinity-st-andrew

MUSIC, DANCE AND SONG FOR JANE AUSTEN 30 July Basingstoke Discovery Centre The Madding Crowd for a summer afternoon’s concert showcasing music and songs which would have been known to Jane Austen. www.hants.gov.uk/shop/home

THANKSGIVING SERVICE FOR THE LIFE OF JANE AUSTEN 6 August St Nicholas Church, Steventon An evening service of hymns, readings and prayers to give thanks for the life of Jane Austen. www.steventonvillage.co.uk

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 20 August Basing House Walled Garden Outdoor theatre performance of Pride and Prejudice performed by Chapterhouse Theatre Company and brought to life by award-winning Laura Turner. Picnic under a beautiful summer sky and lose yourself in this unforgettable love story. www.seetickets.com

JANE AUSTEN BATH FESTIVAL 9 - 17 September Bath Celebrate the life and works of Bath's most famous resident during the much-

anticipated Jane Austen Festival. The 200th anniversary of the author's death and publication of Northanger Abbey means 2017's festival promises to be extra special. www.janeaustenfestivalbath.co.uk

JANE’S PATCHWORK COVERLET: THEN AND NOW 8 September Jane Austen House Museum, Chawton The patchwork coverlet was sewn by Jane, her Sister and Mother. Jane mentions it in a letter to her sister dated 1811, “Have you ed to collect pieces for the patchwork... we are at a standstill”. See it up close with Sue Dell who talks about the recent conservation work. www.jane-austens-house-museum.org.uk

THE STORY OF PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 9 September Saint Michaels Church, Bath This is an intimate performance of Jane Austen’s most famous work. The romantic story between Elizabeth and Darcy will be told in a similar way that Jane will have first read it aloud to her family and friends. www.janeausten200.com

ENGRAVING JANE 12 September Mission Theatre, Bath Talk by artist Graham Short who caused a stir by engraving the face of Jane Austen on five new £5 banknotes. www.missiontheatre.co.uk

JANE AUSTEN: DRESSING FOR THE DANCE 13 September Willis Museum, Basingstoke Gill Arnott, Curator of Art at Hampshire Cultural Trust to hear about the changing fashions in Jane Austen’s day, and tour the Retail and Romance: Jane Goes to the Ball exhibition. www.hampshireculturaltrust.org.uk/willis-museum

JANE AUSTEN AND THE STINKING FISH OF SOUTHAMPTON FESTIVAL 30 September - 1 October Southampton Jane spent a significant amount of time in Southampton, and if you know where to look, you can still find traces of her life here today. To mark the bicentenary of Jane’s death, this festival promises to be a lively celebration of Jane Austen's presence in this south-coast city.

www.sarahsiddonsfanclub.org

JANE AUSTEN’S HOUSE MUSEUM CELEBRATES JANE’S BIRTHDAY 16 December Jane Austen House Museum, Chawton Celebrating Jane's birthday with various activities throughout the day in the run up to Christmas. www.jane-austens-house-museum.org.uk

Jane Austen 200 Website Links

This is a comprehensive list of the Jane Austen 200 website links. Please consider that over time some of the links may cease to be active. You can the Jane Austen 200 list of websites from: http://www.janeaustenquickstepguide/Jane-Austen-200

You can read Jane Austen Collected Works through the Textus Classics Bicentenary Edition of her novels. There is a pdf copy to so you can read Jane Austen’s novels offline. http://www.janeausten2017.com Jane Austen’s works can also be ed from Project Gutenberg. A free project that distributes copyright free works throughout the world. http://www.projectgutenberg.com

Adam Roud created the Jane Austen statue in Market Place, Basingstoke and also the small statue placed next to Jane’s grave in Winchester Cathedral. http://www.adamroudsculptor.co.uk Allen Gallery, Alton. http://www.hampshireculture.org.uk/allen-gallery The Austen Trio at their Facebook Page where you can purchase their music dedicated to Jane Austen. http://www.facebook.com/theaustentrio Bank of England £10 Banknote page that includes a video of its launch at Winchester Cathedral. http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/news/2017/july/the-new-10-note-unveiled Bodleian Library, Oxford who have one of the largest Jane Austen collections in the world including the original manuscript of Sanditon. http://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/bodley/news/2017/jun-03 British Library links to Jane Austen items including her Travel Slope. http://www.bl.uk/people/jane-austen British Library’s Sound Archive for Lumps of Pudding that was featured in the Brighton Pavilion.

http://www.bl.uk/people/lumpsofpudding British Library Virtual Books section to read Jane Austen’s Early Works http://www.bl.uk/virtual-books Chawton House Library, the home of Jane’s brother Edward Austen Knight. http://www.chawtonhouse.org Chesil Theatre, Winchester. http://www.chesiltheatre.org.uk Curtis Museum, Alton. Named after William Curtis, a relative of Jane Austen’s Alton Apothecary. http://www.hampshireculture.org.uk/curtis-museum Gosport Gallery, Hampshire. http://www.hampshireculture.org.uk/gosport-museum Hampshire Archives and Local Studies. www.hampshirearchivesandlocalstudies.wordpress.com Hampshire Cultural Trust Jane Austen 200 Page. http://www.janeausten200.co.uk Jane Austen Festival Bath, a ten day annual event held every September.

http://www.janeaustenfestivalbath.co.uk Jane Austen’s Museum is inside Jane’s Chawton Cottage, the home she lived at for the last eight years of her life. http://www.janeaustenshousemuseum.org Jane Austen Regency Week, held every July at Alton, Hampshire. http://www.janeaustenregencyweek.co.uk King’s College, Cambridge. http://www.kings.cam.ac.uk/library/digital-library/jane-austen Mysterious Miss Austen Exhibition: The Making of The Mysterious Miss Austen by Hampshire Cultural Trust. http://www.vimeo.com/217833706 Royal Mint source for Jane Austen Currency. http://www.royalmint.com/our-coins/events/jane-austen Royal Mint interview with Dominique Evans talking about her Jane Austen £2 coin design. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylrYF7roUz0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jGUzYBj9_U Royal Pavilion, Brighton which was the home of the Prince Regent to whom

Jane dedicated Emma. http://www.brightonmuseums.org.uk/royalpavilion Sanditon by Jane Austen at King’s College. http://janeausten.ac.uk/manuscripts/sanditon/b1-1.html Sanditon manuscript in digital format. https://www.janeausten.co.uk Sitting With Jane Destination Basingstoke. http://www.destinationbasingstoke.co.uk/sittingwithjane Sitting with Jane Jonathan Chapman painting his Book Bench. http://www.illustrationbyjonathan.co.uk/2017/06/fine-house-richly-furnished Sitting with Jane fast video paining of a Book Bench. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_seD58RwEHo Willis Museum, Basingstoke. Home of the life-sized Jane Austen statue. http://www.hampshireculture.org.uk/willis-museum Winchester Cathedral Events including Jane Austen tours that take place on a monthly basis. http://www.winchester-cathedral.org.uk/whats-on

Winchester College where Jane’s brothers and nephews were schooled. http://www.treasury.winchestercollege.org Winchester Discovery Centre, an exhibition space inside Winchester Library. http://www.hampshireculture.org.uk/gallery-winchester-discovery-centre Winchester Tourist Office. http://www.visitwinchester.co.uk

Jane lies in Winchester Blessed be her shade; Praise the Lord for making her And her for all she made; And while the stones of Winchester Or Milsom Street - remain, Glory, love and honour, Unto England's Jane.

Rudyard Kipling, 1819

Acknowledgements

I am grateful to the following for their assistance and permissions: Alton Library, Andrew Smith & Son, Bank of England, Bath Records Office, Bodleian Library, British Library, Chawton House, Curtis Museum Alton, Dubb Creative, Hampshire Cultural Trust, Hampshire Records Office, Jane Austen House Museum, Provost and Scholars of King’s College Cambridge, Richard Knight, National Library of Scotland, Royal Household, Incumbent and Parochial Church Council of Steventon, University of Texas Libraries, Royal Pavilion Brighton, Winchester Cathedral Archives, Winchester College. Photographs unless otherwise indicated ©Emma Darlington. p12 Hampshire Cultural Trust; p40 Courtesy of Richard Knight: Hampshire Record Office; p58 The Austen Trio; p88-94 Reproduced by permission of the Provost and Scholars of King’s College Cambridge; p99 British Library Publicity Photograph; p102 Public Domain; p107-133 Courtesy of Jane Austen House Museum; p137-140 Courtesy of Winchester College; p142 Hampshire Cultural Trust; p148 Dubb Creative; p149-151 Hampshire Cultural Trust; p151 Public Domain; p150 James Andrews 1869 @private collection, courtesy of the 19th Century Rare Book and Photograph Shop, Stevenson, Maryland; p165 Courtesy of Curtis Museum and Allen Gallery; p174 Chawton House; 192 Courtesy of Jane Austen House Museum; p193 Royal Collection Trust, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2017; Courtesy of Royal Pavilion & Museums, Brighton & Hove; Courtesy of J. Pike, Royal Pavilion Brighton; p193 Brighton Royal Household; p199 Royal Pavilion Brighton; p246 Bodleian Library; p247-250 Courtesy of Jane Austen House Museum; p254 Hampshire Cultural Trust; p279 Courtesy of Hampshire Archives. Inside Image: From a watercolour by James Andrews of Maidenhead based on an unfinished work by Cassandra Austen. Engraving by William Home Lizars. A Memoir of Jane Austen by her nephew J. E. Austen-Leigh, Vicar of Bray, Berks. London: Richard Bentley, New Burlington Street, Publisher in Ordinary to her

Majesty, 1870. Public Domain. Every effort has been made to trace copyright holders and obtain their permission for the use of copyright material. In the event of any omissions, the publisher will be pleased to make corrections in future editions of this book.

Also by Emma Darlington

Jane Austen’s Prayers

Jane Austen is known as the beloved author of Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Sense and Sensibility, and other witty and romantic novels. What is less known is that Jane was a deeply religious person and was devoted to God. She wrote beautiful, heartfelt prayers to read with her family.

For the first time you can read Jane’s original prayers in her neat handwriting that she wrote over 200 years ago.

ISBN: 978-1838281106 Print

ISBN: 978-1838281113 eBook

Jane Austen Quickstep Guide

Jane Austen Quickstep Travel Guide is the ideal travel companion, full of insider advice on what to see and do to experience Jane's life, plus walks, talks, events, maps and things to do on your trip to England.

Every chapter covers a different place where Jane lived, and shows you her treasures, where she worshipped, visited friends, went shopping, and wrote her wonderful novels.

ISBN: 978-18382-81151 Print

ISBN: 978-18382-81144 eBook