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Amanda Vickery - A History of Private Life

Amanda Vickery - A History of Private Life: Episode 19: Widows

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Episode 19

Episode 19: Widows

Widows

BBC Radio 4 Extra - Amanda Vickery - A History of Private Life, Widows

How the richest widow in 18th-century England spent her late husband's coal fortune.

Historian Amanda Vickery discovers how the richest widow in 18th-century England spent her late husband's coal fortune.

Historian Amanda Vickery presents a series which reveals the hidden history of home over 400 years. She draws on first-hand accounts from letters and diaries, many of which have never been heard before. Including songs which have been specially recorded for the series. 

When we think of the history of home, the cosy experiences of the nuclear family spring easiest to mind. But what of those who had no family or home of their own? 

Widows had enormous status and power in the 18th century. And for some women, the death of a spouse was a fairytale release. This programme tells the story of the richest widow in England, Elizabeth Montagu, and how she spent her late husband's coal fortune.

Readers: Deborah Findlay, John Sessions, Madeleine Brolly and Simon Tcherniak.

Singers: Gwyneth Herbert and Thomas Guthrie, with David Owen Norris at the keyboard.

A Loftus production for BBC Radio 4.

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Historian Amanda Vickery reveals the hidden history of home over 400 years

Historian Amanda Vickery presents a series which reveals the hidden history of home over 400 years, drawing on first-hand accounts from letters and diaries

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