Quick Index Board Index Home FAQ Site Map

View thread | Previous message | Next message


Whither Kellynch - Lodge?   Written by Chris DS (9/21/2005 5:42 p.m.) in consequence of the missive, I hardly know either but..., penned by Aramathea
Are you new?

This is an interesting question! Possibly unanswerable, but like a lemming heading for the cliff, here goes.

I see two possibilities. As suggested, LR's home could be a converted gatekeeper's lodge used for the Kellynch estate; but I suspect that this would put it too far from the village. Our Baronet would want a respectful distance between the edge of his property (where his gate would be), and the 'unwashed', as he would think of them, on the odd occasion they passed through his mind.

The second possibility is a gentleman's house with land. Lady Russell - who has her own carriage - must have horses and they would need stables, paddocks and who knows what to go with them. Being rich, she would have a fine collection of cooks, maids, ostlers, grooms and so on, as well as the housekeeper and the boy understairs who cleans the shoes and knives, hopefully he is provided with many cloths for the purpose, and who smirks behind the butler's back! They all take up a lot of room.

Sir William Lucas in P&P renamed his abode (second only to Longbourn in status) Lucas Lodge after acquiring it, moving out from Meryton and retiring from business. Purvis Lodge, with the dreadful attics, also gets a mention amongst the many houses Mrs Bennet may take for Lydia. This suggests 'Lodge' as a common enough name for a grand house, suitable for a gentleman.

My problem with either solution is that Jane has sited LR actually in the village. In vllages of the time the only sizable residence actually "in the village" would have been the Rector's. All the larger, grander homes with land where found outside the village. Gentlemen of the time probably shared some of our Baronet's views!

So where does the poor Rector live, after LR has moved in. Or does this suggest a new line of thought; something else entirely? Scandalous, even to think about it. Lady Russell and a Rector? Never!

My speculations have turned Tabloid, so I'll give up.


Previous message | Next message | Board index

All messages in the thread


Password:

Groupread is maintained by Myretta with WebBBS 3.21.


View thread | Previous message | Next message
Board index

Group Read Board Pride & Prejudice Board Emma Board Sense & Sensibility Board Persuasion Board Mansfield Park Board Northanger Abbey Board Austenuations Board Jane Austen's Life & Times Board Lady Catherine & Co. Board Library Board Virtual Views Board Ramble Board Meetings Board Newcomers' Board Milestones Board Help Board Pemberleans Board





- Jane Austen | Republic of Pemberley -

Quick Index Home Site Map JAInfo

© 2004 - 2012 The Republic of Pemberley

Get copyright permissions

Quantcast