She was of course one of the infamous Mitford sisters (one - Unity had very strong link to Hitler and is rumoured to have had a baby by him) ... another - Diana - was married to British fascist leader Sir Oswald Mosley.

Harold Macmillan - former Tory PM, not 20 years dead - had the misfortune to marry into this family which bought its title. (They had no connection with Devonshire - which was the only title available when they wanted to buy).

Mac married Dorothy who had a very long affair with Bob Boothby - and caused Mac's breakdown in 1931; many of the Cavendish/Devonshire pack got government/ministerial jobs in Mac's time.

The connection/affinity (of many of them) with Hitler is well known and documented. Not a nice family - although the lady who died today was an exception. And Chatsworth is one of the finest properties in Europe.

I signed the book of condolences at Chatsworth yesterday.

The story of the house is here - www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-29350138

Of course, the Dowager Duchess had no idea that she would inherit the title or the house. Andrew (her husband) was the second son and not expected to inherit. It was only when his elder brother (married to Kathleen Kennedy - JFK's older sister) was killed in the war that Andrew became "next in line".

In The Know wrote:
Kathleen Kennedy - JFK's older sister

Kathleen was 3 years younger than JFK - and predeceased him by 15 years (plane crash;1948).

Deborah will be buried (near Kathleen) in St Peter's Churchyard, Edensor at noon on 2 October 2014.

All are welcome. Refreshments at Chatsworth afterwards.

In The Know (as always) wrote:
She was of course one of the infamous Mitford sisters (one - Unity had very strong link to Hitler and is rumoured to have had a baby by him) ... another - Diana - was married to British fascist leader Sir Oswald Mosley.


If they managed to trace Hitler's baby it would make a cracking episode of "Who do you think you are" Especially if they didn't tell him first!

I prefer to do my grieving in private

hedda wrote:
I prefer to do my grieving in private

When Andrew (the last Duke) died, the staff lined the one and a half mile route from Chatsworth to the Church at Edensor* (pronouced En-saw) - at spaced intervals - and it seemed very respectful and appropriate.

* A previous Duke had the entire village moved from its then location to where it is now, so he could not see it from Chatsworth !

In The Know (as always) wrote:
A previous Duke had the entire village moved from its then location to where it is now

No - not the entire village.

Just one example of the many exceptions, the lovely Edensor cottage, which still stands, in Chatsworth Park.


Accurate information is important.

ROSS1938 wrote:
No - not the entire village.

Just one example of the many exceptions, the lovely Edensor cottage, which still stands, in Chatsworth Park.


Accurate information is important.

The cottage you refer to - Park Cottage - was not in Edensor (old village) and was hidden behind a hill out of sight of Chatsworth House, so was allowed to remain. The tenant had been a gamekeeper (retired) for a number of years.

Park Cottage was known as Naboth's Vineyard - its name taken from the 1st book of Kings XXI - after a previous owner refused to sell it to the 6th Duke, to have his home demolished as an eyesore. It is also known as the Andrex Cottage - having featured in a TV advert many years ago.

Other buildings to escape the 6th Duke's demolition were the present day post-office and tea-rooms, formerly part of a farm building dating back to the 1600's; the toll-bar cottage at the top of the village, a couple of cottages overlooking the green, and parts of the Old Vicarage.

Isn't the internet wonderful?

It allows "copy and paste" and you can pretend to be knowledgeable about places you have probably never visited LOL!

In The Know (as always) wrote:
Park Cottage - was not in Edensor (old village) and was hidden behind a hill out of sight of Chatsworth House, so was allowed to remain. The tenant had been a gamekeeper (retired) for a number of years

As you now know, the above statement is wrong.

'Entire village' moved - wrong too.

Then the JKF family error.


- pretend to be knowledgeable -

That's you, not I

I wasn't expecting Elvis to be played at her funeral, but then knowing what a fan she was I should not have been surprised !

Prince of Wales was in attendance too.

How Great Thou Art - comes from a 19th century Swedish poem.

Great send off for Deborah.

that's all she ever wanted to be called

and hated the word dowager