Englishwoman Gallery

Letter from The Englishwoman's Domestic Magazine

Handwritten letter from The Englishwoman's Domestic Magazine, London, a publication of Samuel Orchart Beeton, husband of Isabella Beeton. It is addressed from Greenhithe, Kent, 30 March 1870, to a Mrs Cudlip (probably the prolific romantic author Annie Hall Cudlip). The signature appears to read S O Beeton, who regrets that he cannot afford to pay Mrs Cudlip more than 100 for any manuscript of hers. Date: 1870

© Mary Evans Picture Library

Mrs Leeming hoping to become 1st woman to fly Channel

Mrs Leeming, hoping to become the first Englishwoman to cross the Channel in an aeroplane with Lieutenant Lawrence. Lawrence had made his first solo flight in the Blackburn at the end of January, and had decided to make his Channel attempt from Eastbourne. On the flight to Eastbourne he encountered engine trouble and was forced to land on the seashore. The aircraft was taken back to St Anthonys airfield for a complete engine overhaul. On the 30th March Lawrence took the machine out on a test flight but damaged the undercarriage on landing. Three days later Gustav Hamel took Miss Trehawke Davies in her newly purchased two-seat Bleriot monoplane and flew to France to give her the honour of being the first English lady to cross the Channel by aeroplane, rather than Mrs Leeming. The Tatler describes Mrs Leeming as an all-round sportswoman being especially fond of driving and riding as well as shooting. Date: 1912

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans

Portrait of Anne, Lady Russell (1615-84), later Countess of Bedford (oil on canvas)

1764391 Portrait of Anne, Lady Russell (1615-84), later Countess of Bedford (oil on canvas) by Leemput, Remee van (1607-75); Private Collection; (add.info.: Anne Carr, Countess of Bedford was a wealthy English noblewoman, wife of William Russell, 5th Earl of Bedford (later Duke). Only child and heir of Rober Carr, 1st Earl of Somerset and Frances Howard); Photo © Philip Mould Ltd, London; Flemish, out of copyright

© © Philip Mould Ltd, London / Bridgeman Images