奇速英语

查茨沃斯庄园

Women looking for their real-life Mr Darcy flocked to Chatsworth House, home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, for the annual Pride and Prejudice Ball yesterday. Regency costumed men and women forked out £85 for tickets to the themed event, which included a tour of the house, a four-course meal and a dancing display. Jane Austen, who stayed there while writing her famous novel, is believed to have based her description of the fictional Pemberley, Fitzwilliam Darcy’s residence, on the home.

Guests turned out in clothes including full length gowns with classic square necklines and short sleeves, made from soft cloth. Most dresses were fitted tightly in an empire style and paired with long gloves, which ladies always wore when outside the house. Gentlemen, meanwhile, dressed up in Wellington boots.

Jane Austen visited Chatsworth House in 1811 while staying at the Rutland Arms in Bakewell while writing the love story. The home is believed to be her inspiration for Pemberley, the residence of the novel’s romantic hero Mr Darcy. In the book, lead character Elizabeth Bennet meets Mr Darcy for the first time at a similar event to the Pride and Prejudice evening- but takes an immediate dislike to him.

The home has been the seat of the Dukes of Devonshire since 1549 and is mentioned in Pride and Prejudice as one of the homes that Elizabeth Bennet visits before arriving at Pemberley. Chatsworth also featured in the 2005 Pride and Prejudice movie starring Kiera Knightley and Matthew Macfayden. The scene was originally set to be in a gallery of paintings, but was changed to make use of Chatsworth’s collection. Chatsworth has been used as a setting for other Pride and Prejudice themed outings, from fans coming to see the locations and enjoy photos, such as their Pride and Prejudice themed photo shoot.