Elizabeth Armistead
Encyclopedia
Elizabeth Armistead was a courtesan
and, later, the spouse of statesman
and politician
Charles James Fox
. Her relationship with and marriage to Fox was one of the most famous and controversial of their age.
Born Elizabeth Bridget Cane, her career began in an exclusive, high-class brothel
in St. James
’s in London
.
"Mrs. Armistead's" legendary beauty and gentle nature made her sought after and ensured her the attentions of a string of rich notable clients including the Prince of Wales (the future George IV
). She acquired considerable wealth and owned two houses, carriages and a host of servants.
After more than a decade of popularity with the ruling classes, she met the Whig politician Charles James Fox
, with whom she lived from 1783 onward.
In 1795, she married Fox, but the marriage was kept a secret until 1802. Her marriage to the prominent politician eased her acceptance by upper circles, but she would never be fully accepted. Their turbulent liaison and ensuing marriage was kept secret from society for seven years, until it was made public in 1802, and is regarded as one of the great romances of the 18th century.
Courtesan
A courtesan was originally a female courtier, which means a person who attends the court of a monarch or other powerful person.In feudal society, the court was the centre of government as well as the residence of the monarch, and social and political life were often completely mixed together...
and, later, the spouse of statesman
Statesman
A statesman is usually a politician or other notable public figure who has had a long and respected career in politics or government at the national and international level. As a term of respect, it is usually left to supporters or commentators to use the term...
and politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
Charles James Fox
Charles James Fox
Charles James Fox PC , styled The Honourable from 1762, was a prominent British Whig statesman whose parliamentary career spanned thirty-eight years of the late 18th and early 19th centuries and who was particularly noted for being the arch-rival of William Pitt the Younger...
. Her relationship with and marriage to Fox was one of the most famous and controversial of their age.
Born Elizabeth Bridget Cane, her career began in an exclusive, high-class brothel
Brothel
Brothels are business establishments where patrons can engage in sexual activities with prostitutes. Brothels are known under a variety of names, including bordello, cathouse, knocking shop, whorehouse, strumpet house, sporting house, house of ill repute, house of prostitution, and bawdy house...
in St. James
St. James's Park
St. James's Park is a 23 hectare park in the City of Westminster, central London - the oldest of the Royal Parks of London. The park lies at the southernmost tip of the St. James's area, which was named after a leper hospital dedicated to St. James the Less.- Geographical location :St. James's...
’s in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.
"Mrs. Armistead's" legendary beauty and gentle nature made her sought after and ensured her the attentions of a string of rich notable clients including the Prince of Wales (the future George IV
George IV of the United Kingdom
George IV was the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and also of Hanover from the death of his father, George III, on 29 January 1820 until his own death ten years later...
). She acquired considerable wealth and owned two houses, carriages and a host of servants.
After more than a decade of popularity with the ruling classes, she met the Whig politician Charles James Fox
Charles James Fox
Charles James Fox PC , styled The Honourable from 1762, was a prominent British Whig statesman whose parliamentary career spanned thirty-eight years of the late 18th and early 19th centuries and who was particularly noted for being the arch-rival of William Pitt the Younger...
, with whom she lived from 1783 onward.
In 1795, she married Fox, but the marriage was kept a secret until 1802. Her marriage to the prominent politician eased her acceptance by upper circles, but she would never be fully accepted. Their turbulent liaison and ensuing marriage was kept secret from society for seven years, until it was made public in 1802, and is regarded as one of the great romances of the 18th century.