Affair of State

Henry Vane

The story of the affair between Louise Alten and Lord Hartington, and their later marriage, takes place at the heart of aristocratic and political life during one of the most exciting eras of English politics. It runs from the front benches of the House of Commons to the high-living circle of the Prince and Princess of Wales, yet has never been the subject of
a full biography.

Lord Hartington, Duke of Devonshire, owner of the magnificent Chatsworth Estate in Derbyshire, was a political high flyer, heir to one of the great Whig families. A Liberal leader who turned down the opportunity to be Prime Minister three times, he served at the heart of government during a seminal political age, serving under Gladstone and battling with Disraeli.

Louise Alten, the ‘Double Duchess’ of Manchester and Devonshire, was first well known as one of the legendary beauties of Victorian high society. She became the mistress of Lord Hartington as he disentangled himself from a tumultuous affair with the famous society courtesan ‘Skittles’, and their loyalty to each other remained constant for thirty years. The Duchess was widely reputed to be the most powerful person in England outside the government and one of the great society hostesses of the age.

She manipulated political events in favour of her husband through lavish house parties at the couple’s Chatsworth estate - parties that were attended by the Prince and Princess of Wales (the King and Queen from 1901) and their fashionable set, of which the Duke and Duchess were at the centre.

‘Is this wonderful book a lost masterpiece by P.G. Wodehouse? Lord Hartingdon is almost like a major literary character, full of quirks and crotchets. I long to see him played by Peter O’Toole.’ - Roger Lewis, Daily Express

HENRY VANE is a writer and historian.

PETER OWEN

Affair of State

Henry Vane