Beginning in the 1700’s, the “fashionable society” of England, or beau monde, would travel to the city of London each spring, and would return to their larger estates in the country each fall. Both in London and in the country, a myriad of social events were hosted by various members of the upper class, creating what is known as the “London Season.” There are many factors contributing to the reason for these specific migration patterns of the British upper class, specifically originating in the Parliamentary session. Although the classic “London Season” originated in the 1700’s, the roots of this cultural movement extend out of the feudal system of the Middle Ages. The London Season, and the culture thereof, percolates through the literature from the time, especially stories centered on upper class characters such as Jane Austen’s stories.
The seasonal movement began with the creation of Parliament. One source says that “the first British parliament is generally believed to have formed in 1265 when Simon de Montfort… called a special meeting of the king’s council to advise Henry III” (Purdy). For many centuries, Parliament consisted of two houses: the House of Lords and the House of Commons. Originally, the House of Lords consisted mainly of spiritual leaders and noblemen invited to advise the Monarch. By the 16th Century, however, spiritual leaders were replaced by noblemen, and heredity was generally required to join the House of Lords. The Encyclopedia Britannica says:
The origins of the House of Commons date from… the 13th century, when landholders and other property owners… began sending representatives to Parliament to present grievances and petitions to the king… In the 14th century the knights and burgesses chosen as representatives… began sitting in a separate chamber, or “house,” from that used by the nobles and high clergy. (“House of Commons”)
During the 18th and 19th centuries, landowning nobility would travel into town to sit the Parliamentary session of each year, either the House of Lords or the House of Commons, typically extending from January to July. One survey of London in 1841 says: “We have already seen that as early as the 1730’s and 40’s many of the residents in… fashionable parts of London, only spent part of each year in town, their seasonal movements being prescribed by those of the Court and by the dates of the parliamentary sessions” (“The Social Character”). The families of these Lords would then occupy themselves by attending social events thrown by “fashionable society” in London.
Noble families would own a secondary townhouse in London, or they would alternatively stay with relatives or friends. This is exemplified in the case of Mrs. Palmer, Jane Austen’s fictional character from Sense and Sensibility. Mr. Palmer must return to London for the Parliamentary session, and Mrs. Palmer must persuade the Dashwood sisters to visit them:
‘I am so sorry we cannot stay longer; however we shall meet again in town very soon, I hope.’ They were obliged to put an end to such an expectation. ‘Not go to town!’ cried Mrs. Palmer, with a laugh, ‘I shall be quite disappointed if you do not. I could get the nicest house in world for you, next door to ours, in Hanover–square. You must come, indeed. I am sure I shall be very happy to chaperon you at any time till I am confined, if Mrs. Dashwood should not like to go into public.’ (Austen 99)
As Mrs. Palmer mentions, the season in London also served as a way for young couples to court each other in the classic Victorian fashion with chaperones. The proximity of eligible men and women, combined with a large array of parties, balls, and other social events, provided ample supervision for courting couples. Young women were not allowed to go out without an escort, and as the character Mary eloquently pointed out in Masterpiece Theater’s docu-drama Downton Abbey, “[Single aristocratic women] don’t have a life. We choose clothes and pay calls and work for charity and do the season. But really we are stuck in a waiting room until we marry” (Fellowes). This meant most eligible women were encouraged to go to London each year with the primary purpose of finding a well-bred husband and socializing.
In London, entertainment distracted from the pollution and the closeness of the city. The Royal Opera began in 1732, offering an exhilarating evening for city residents (“Opera House”). Horse-racing was another pastime for British nobility. One volume of horseracing history says: “[Horseracing] from the first met with the patronage of the Court, the support of the nobility and squirearchy, and the hearty approval of the people, for whom it was calculated to provide holiday amuse- ment of a kind that was highly appreciated,” (Rice 13). One particularly famous horse-racing event is the Royal Ascot, opened by Queen Anne. She opened the Royal Racecourse in 1711, and the first Royal Ascot was held in the same year. One source says: “Queen Anne’s gift to racing, founding the Royal Racecourse, is marked by the tradition of opening Royal Ascot with the Queen Anne Stakes” (“Ascot”). Rowing also was a popular pastime, and beginning in 1839, the Henley Royal Regatta is one of the most famous annual rowing events in England (“Henley”). The Regatta was a popular sporting event occurring annually at the beginning of July, and is occasionally attended by the Royal family. Attendance from the British noble class was typical for many events created for the fashionable society of the day, including opera, horse-racing, and rowing events. Events like these served as a time to socialize, to flaunt their wealth through trendy fashions, displaying the expensive, lavish lifestyles of the upper class.
The beau monde was an exclusive society of well-bred gentlemen and ladies. Each member of the society typically had to be formally recognized as a noble, and as an adult, before entering society. Single ladies were not considered eligible for marriage, nor were they allowed to attend most high-society events, until they were “presented” to either the Queen for ladies at an official ceremony at age 17 or 18. Gentlemen were also presented at court to the Prince of Wales in a similar fashion. The ceremony involved a white gown and veil, similar to a wedding dress, with a long train. One could not be presented without the advocacy of another woman that had already been presented. Typically, an older woman, such as a mother, aunt, or close friend, would help a young lady to navigate the process of the presentation. These older women would teach their younger charge about good manners and graces, fashion and feminine attributes, and would also introduce them to their friends in society, especially the younger bachelors. They would teach them the correct way to curtsey and walk in court, and would escort them to events. They might also help finance a young lady’s upper-class lifestyle, as many well-bred women may not be able to afford luxuries. On the Misses Dashwood from Sense and Sensibility, one critical essay says:
Women like Elinor and Marianne have been brought up in a certain manner. They are educated and cultured but essentially useless. They have little money to offer a man, cannot work, and yet demand a man of their own level. They must find a man who doesn’t need a dowry, like Colonel Brandon, or get used to living on less, like Elinor, or like Austen herself, remain single and hope for the goodness of their more wealthy friends to include them to some degree in the social life of the community. (Smaridge)
In this instance, Mrs. Palmer helps to fund a season in London for the Dashwood sisters, after they had already been presented prior to the story.
Although the upper-class lifestyle seems glamorous and fun, the excitement seems to mask much of the pain and heartache that must have occurred beneath the surface. Women without children must have felt isolated and undervalued, as their only activities were to play music, do needlework, pay calls on friends, and play cards. Looking beautiful and acting feminine was their top priority, as they needed to attract a man as quickly as possible. Women that had been raised in this lifestyle had few life skills, such as cooking or working, and were dependent on their family and charitable friends to provide for them until they married. A rare exception to this rule was the few women had inherited, or had been given money. These women, however, had the trouble of fortune-hunting men looking to find a wealthy wife. This society, although grandiose, was centered around materialistic and shallow mindset. Beauty and money mattered in this culture, especially the women, perhaps more than the people themselves. This issue has permeated into today’s modern mindset. Jane Austen and other Romantic- and Victorian-era poets and authors represented this time period well. The magical world of balls, royal presentations, and going to London for the spring has its attractive qualities. This magic does come at a cost: exchanging close, unconditional relationships and healthy self-esteem for an empty, materialistic life. The life of these women, however leisurely, was also isolated, empty, and entirely dependent on their ability to attract a man.
Works Cited
Austen, Jane. “Chapter XX.” Sense and Sensibility. New York: Barnes & Noble Classics, 2003. 99. Print.
Fellowes, Julian. “Downton Abbey, Series I (Episode IV).” Masterpiece Theatre. PBS. WITF, Harrisburg, 10 Jun. 2015. Television.
“Henley Royal Regatta, History.” Henley Royal Regatta. 2005. Web. 12 June 2015.
Holland, Evangeline. “The Court Presentation.” Edwardian Promenade. 07 Dec. 2007. Web. 12 June 2015.
“House of Commons.” Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2015. Web. 09 Jun. 2015.
Purdy, Elizabeth Rholetter, PhD. “Parliament.” Salem Press Encyclopedia (2015): Research Starters. Web. 9 June 2015.
Rice, James. History of the British Turf, from the Earliest times to the Present Day. Vol. I. London: S. Low, Marston, Searle, and Rivington, 1879. Print.
“Royal Opera House, History.” Royal Opera House. Web. 12 June 2015.
“Ascot, A Short History of.” Ascot. Web. 12 June 2015.
Smaridge, Norah. “Critical Essays: Background on Sense and Sensibility.” Cliffnotes. Web. 12 June 2015.
‘The Social Character of the Estate: The London Season in 1841.’ Survey of London: Volume 39, the Grosvenor Estate in Mayfair, Part 1 (General History). Ed. F H W Sheppard. London: London County Council, 1977. 89-93. British History Online. Web. 3 June 2015.