1848 The Life of Mrs. Godolphin

Description

Illustrated, Publishers' Original Binding

Margaret Godolphin, nee Blagge, was a Maid of Honour to Anne Hyde, the Duchess of York, and after her death she was employed in the same role by the Queen. Throughout this period Godolphin was mentored by the English writer and diarist John Evelyn, and was hence advised on religious learning and worship by the older man until her death in 1678. In honour of his friendship with the young woman, Evelyn produced a 'masterpiece' of religious biography after her death, in an attempt to "consecrate her worthy life to posterity". Indeed, the picture of Margaret Godolphine's saintly life is heightened in contrast to the the scandalous memoirs of the comte de Gramont, or other contemporary political satires on the court. This biography remained as a manuscript in the possession of the Harcourt family until it was edited by Samuel Wilberforce, bishop of Oxford, as this text, 'The Life of Mrs Godolphin'. In the original publishers' boards complete with a portrait frontispiece.