2000 Years of English History.
This book is about the remarkable people from this modest Huntingdonshire village who, over the past two millennia of England’s history, exercised power and influence both locally and on the national stage. The book gives a detailed biography of each of these characters, setting their lives in the wider context of English history from the time of the Romans to the present day.
An introduction to Chapter 18: Mr Duberly acquires an estate in Great Staughton
The latter half of the 18C saw many notorious trials over what was called criminal conversation or simply crim.con, in plain words adultery. Always it was the woman who was at fault. These trials were the preserve of the nobility and fashionable society and one of the most famous was the criminal conversation case for £20,000 brought in 1782 by Sir Richard Worsley, 7th Baronet against George M Bissett. Worsley was awarded one shilling in damages. The case attracted the satirical cartoonist James Gilray and it featured in numerous scurrilous pamphlets. Though not at that level of notoriety, the case brought by James Duberly against his wife Rebecca was the subject of much comment in London society.
Feedback is welcome: aw.staughton@gmail.com
NEXT WEEK: Chapter 19: Of bastardy bonds and other domestic matters
The next chapter of the book will be uploaded to the website on Monday January 23 2023
Click the PDF below to read Chapter 18.
