Queer Places:
Crewe Hall, Weston Rd, Haslington, Crewe CW1 6UZ, Regno Unito
St Bertoline Barthomley, Crewe CW2 5PF, Regno Unito
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Frances
“Fanny” Crewe, Lady Crewe, was the daughter of Fulke Greville (and therefore
direct descendent from
Fulke Greville, 1st Baron Brooke), envoy extraordinary to the elector of
Bavaria, and his Irish wife, Frances Macartney. She was considered one of the
most beautiful women of her time, and was a political hostess with a sharp
wit.
Fanny and Georgiana, Lady Spencer, knew each other since childhood, their mothers being best friends. It has been said their was a special friendship. Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire (née Spencer; June 7, 1757 – March 30, 1806) was the first wife of William Cavendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire, and mother of the 6th Duke of Devonshire. Her father, John Spencer, 1st Earl Spencer, was a great-grandson of John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough. Her niece was Lady Caroline Lamb. She was the great-great-great-great-aunt of Diana, Princess of Wales.
In 1766, Frances married John Crewe, who became Lord Crewe. She was accustomed to entertain, at Crewe Hall, her husband's seat in Cheshire, and at her villa at Hampstead, some of the most distinguished of her contemporaries. Fox, who much admired her, Burke, Sheridan, Sir Joshua Reynolds, and Canning were frequent visitors. She was also on friendly terms with Charles Burney and Sarah Burney and Hester Thrale. Sheridan dedicated the School for Scandal to her, and some lines addressed to her by Fox were printed at the Strawberry Hill Press in 1775. Three portraits by Reynolds have been engraved, in one of which she appears with her brother as Hebe and Cupid.[1]
She died on December 23, 1818 and is buried at St Bertoline's (Radway Green Road, Barthomley, Cheshire, CW2 5PE).
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