In the A-Z of Ashdown we have reached L. L is for Louisa. Louisa Brunton is one of the fascinating
characters in the Craven family. Born between 1782 and 1785, Louisa was the
daughter of a grocer turned actor and theatrical impresario. For part of his
career her father John Brunton was manager of the theatre at Brighton where the Prince of
Wales was his patron. Louisa’s brother John was also an actor and theatre
manager, and two of her sisters, Elizabeth and Anne, became actresses. They were a theatrical dynasty.
The youngest of John Brunton’s six daughters, Louisa made
her stage debut on 5th October 1803
at Covent Garden, playing Lady Townley in the 'Provoked Husband' opposite John
Kemble as Lord Townley. She followed this role with that of Beatrice in Much
Ado About Nothing. The “Theatrical Inquisitor” for November 1803 described her
as “extremely handsome and striking” with features expressive of archness and
vivacity. One critic predicted a glittering future for her and gushed that she was both beautiful and gifted. Other gossip-writers agreed on her charm and the
perfection of her face and figure.
Many other roles
followed between 1803 and December 1807. It is interesting to note that from the start the respectable
antecedents of Louisa and her family were emphasised in all the newspaper reports and biographies. She was from a
professional theatrical family. She was not a courtesan.
Louisa's last
performance was as Clara Sedley in Reynolds's comedy 'The Rage.' In 1805, William, 7th
With the family connections between the Cravens and Jane Austen, it was only natural that Louisa Craven should be an avid reader of Jane Austen's work. In 1816 she was recorded as being a great admirer
of Emma but apparently did not think it the equal of Pride
and Prejudice.
The earl, like his forebears, was keen on field sports and
horse racing. He was also a founder member of the Royal Yacht Squadron and in
1809 named his yacht Louisa. It was in Cowes that he died in 1825, aged 55.
Louisa became the Dowager Countess with an income of £15 000 a year. She
continued to live at Hamstead Marshall whilst her eldest son, the 2nd
Earl, chose Ashdown as his main seat. The family was close with the earl and
his brothers Frederick Keppel and George and sister Louisa frequently visiting
their mother at Hamstead.
The original grand “palace” at Hamstead Marshall had burned
down in 1718 and Hamstead Lodge developed as a hunting lodge in its place, probably from one of the original 17th century buildings on the estate. During Louisa’s
occupancy this house was remodelled in the Regency style and it was later extended again. Having left the ranks of
the middle classes to join the aristocracy, Louisa seems to have been intent on
maintaining a grand style. Perhaps her theatrical experience stood her in good stead for the role of great lady. She employed a liveried butler and attended church
in a coach and four complete with postillions. She had a French cook. One
of Louisa Craven’s main interests was garden design and she had a whole army of
gardeners and a park-keeper in her household. The gardens at Hamstead Marshall became renowned for their beauty.
Louisa Craven died in 1860 at the age of 79. Her funeral took
place at Coombe Abbey and she was buried in the Craven family vault at Binley. However
there was a memorial service for her at Hamstead Marshall and it was here that
she was particularly remembered as a generous benefactor to the church and the village
school, and for the dances and suppers she held for villagers and tenants. She had become the perfect epitome of a grand aristocratic lady.
I am indebted to Deirdre Le Faye for the information on Jane Austen's Emma and to Penelope Stokes for the detail of Louisa Craven's life at Hamstead Marshall. Penny's book, Craven Country, is available here.
