An Admirable Wife: The Life And Times Of Frances, Lady Nelson - Hardcover

Hardy, Sheila

9781862272729: An Admirable Wife: The Life And Times Of Frances, Lady Nelson

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1862272727 ISBN 13: 9781862272729

Publisher: Spellmount Ltd Pub, 2005

Mention Nelson, and the name of Emma Hamilton will be linked with his, their much-embroidered love affair having passed down through history. But little has been written about the wife who loved and supported him when times were hard. Nineteenth century 'spin' to preserve the hero's reputation, has made Fanny Nelson cold and uncaring, incapable of understanding the great man or supporting him socially.
This book examines in detail the letters (including those recently discovered) between husband and wife and others, that reveal a warm-hearted, loving woman who gave up a comfortable life, as the favoured niece and hostess to the President of the Caribbean island of Nevis, for marriage to an impoverished naval captain with few prospects. Who, when war took him back to sea, endured years of waiting for his return, looking after his ageing, sickly father with great tenderness. As Nelson did battle abroad, so she coped with the realities of life in England; the threat of invasion, rising prices, food shortages, shortage of money and even a visit from an Inspector of the newly introduced Income Tax.
Her love for Nelson never wavered. Cruelly humiliated and rejected by him, she never lost hope that he would eventually return to her. Avoiding temptation to adopt the role of the wronged wife, she quietly went on with her life. During the twenty-five years of her widowhood, she travelled and found happiness with her family and friends who held her in great affection.

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