On April 15, 1776, President George Washington gathered troops in New York City to prepare for a confrontation with the forces of King George III of England. Although the situation had the potential to escalate into war, the people of England seemed indifferent, focusing instead on a 56-year-old countess preparing for her trial.
The Life of “the Most Notorious Countess in England”
This woman was Elizabeth Chudleigh, who was famously known as the most notorious countess in England. On that morning, Mrs. Chudleigh appeared pale and frail, dressed in a black silk cloak and wearing a hooded hat as she arrived at court. Tens of thousands of people crowded outside the courthouse to catch a glimpse of the trial, with even the condemned prisoners being escorted down the street unable to contain their curiosity.
Portrait of “the Most Notorious Countess in England” – Elizabeth Chudleigh.
A foreign visitor once referred to that day as “England’s Day of Celebration” due to its significant impact. Even Queen Charlotte Sophia, who was eight months pregnant, endured pain to witness the event.
According to historical records, Elizabeth Chudleigh was born on March 8, 1721, into a family in the suburbs of London. Her family was so impoverished that when her father died, she received no inheritance and had to give everything to her elder brother. Just before her sixth birthday, her brother also passed away, plunging the family into hardship once again due to the loss of their breadwinner.
In light of this situation, her sister-in-law had to work hard and save money to invest in her son’s education, forcing Mrs. Chudleigh to fend for herself from a young age. She later became known by many different names due to her diverse occupations, which included being a maid, a lady’s companion, a fashion model, an advertising agent, and even a distiller. Her life inspired numerous writers of the time, who incorporated elements of her experiences into their works.
Elizabeth Chudleigh with her wealthy husbands, transforming her life into that of a countess.
Due to her varied career, Mrs. Chudleigh had the opportunity to meet and mingle with high-ranking officials of her time. During one occasion as a bridesmaid, she caught the eye of James Hamilton, a duke from the upper class, who helped elevate her from poverty to a glamorous lady of rank.
Her experiences in life led her to develop views that were ahead of her time. Consequently, she faced criticism and ridicule from the public for her audacious statements and disregard for societal norms. However, when viewed from today’s perspective, Elizabeth Chudleigh’s thoughts were remarkably progressive.
For instance, she believed that women deserved better treatment and equal rights. Chudleigh rejected the notion that women should be confined to domestic duties, sewing, and sacrificing for men. She argued that women could engage in significant pursuits such as politics, adventure, and wield power. Nevertheless, such ideas were not accepted in her era, leading to her severe condemnation.
Her first husband was wealthy but had a habit of infidelity.
End of Life Yet Not at Peace
One might think that marrying a wealthy man would lead to a fulfilling life, but fate had other plans. Duke James later committed infidelity, leading to conflicts that resulted in their divorce. When facing the court, Mrs. Chudleigh had to pretend that they were only engaged and had not yet married, as women at that time would lose many rights if divorced.
After the divorce, she returned to her job as a bridesmaid to make ends meet. However, due to the meager salary from this work, she resorted to selling skin creams on the streets. In a twist of fate, her quality products combined with her “showy antics” led to a successful sales venture, allowing her to earn significant income.
Thanks to her past as a lady with shocking statements and her newfound fame from selling skin creams, Chudleigh had another chance to re-enter high society when she was invited to the famous masquerade ball in 1979. At this event, she caused a stir by wearing a sheer dress that revealed much of her figure.
Following this incident, her name resurfaced, and she met Duke Evelyn Pierrepont—a man regarded as the most handsome in England at that time. The two were inseparable, resembling a true married couple, but it wasn’t until March 8, 1769, that they officially wed.
The couple lived happily until Duke Evelyn passed away in 1773. At that point, the duke’s sister, Lady Frances Meadows, continuously harassed Chudleigh in an attempt to seize the inheritance. They even devised several malicious schemes to “eliminate” Mrs. Chudleigh.
Recognizing the precarious situation, Mrs. Chudleigh filed a lawsuit to protect her rights. However, due to her previous scandals, she faced public backlash and was not supported by the court. The court remained neutral, dismissing her case for various reasons while not endorsing her sister-in-law’s actions either.
The trial lasted 5 days with a large number of spectators.
To protect her life, she moved to France and spent the rest of her days there. Instead of “living a quiet life away from society,” she indulged in a lavish lifestyle with various noblemen. She lived extravagantly beyond her financial means until her death in 1788.
Even after her passing, the people of England did not express sympathy for her, labeling her a foolish woman. They asserted that Chudleigh’s life was a result of her own choices, chasing wealthy husbands and making thoughtless statements. Nonetheless, it cannot be denied that Mrs. Chudleigh held many progressive views, and today she is referred to as “the most notorious countess.”
