The Duchess

This movie is derived from a true story of the Duchess of Devonshire. It was year 177 when Georgianna Spencer, out of her obedience to her mother, married the Duke of Devonshire, i exchange of her producing an heir to the Duke.

She found then that her marriage was loveless and that the Duke, inspite of her being loyal and wanting to produce an heir, didn’t respect her. Instead, he made an affair with her friend Lady Bess, ending 3 of them living together in one house.

The Duchess became the fashion icon of England. She got herself involved in politics. This was where she met Charlie Grey again. She fell in love with him.

The Duchess made a deal with the Duke. She would give her blessing to his relationship with her friend, Lady Bess… and he would let her have a relationship with Charles Grey. He got furious and threatened to take her children away if she continues relationship with him.

She eventually produced a son and she was paid according to the negotiations that took place between her mother and the Duke before she married him.

She was left living with her husband (with her 4 children, 3 girls and one boy) and his mistress (who’s got 3 boys on her own) in the house until her death.

Georgianna, the Duchess of Devonshire was Keira Knightley.
The Duke of Devonshire was Ralph Fiennes.
Mr. Charles Grey was Dominic Cooper.
Elizabeth “Bess” Foster was Hayley Atwell.

It must be a struggle for her to see her husband and his mistress in the same roof… I wonder show she coped with it. She’s a total martyr. She could have gone off with Charlie Grey who eventually became a Prime Minister of England… but because of her children, she sacrificed herself and stayed on.

In this movie, and in the Duchess’ life, it takes sacrifice to be a mother and a Duchess.