Jane Cavendish facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jane Cavendish
Born	Jane Cavendish 1621
Died	1669 (aged 47–48)
Nationality	English
Other names	Jane Cheyne
Known for	Poetry

Lady Jane Cavendish (1621–1669) was a talented poet and playwright from England. She was the daughter of William Cavendish, Duke of Newcastle. Later, she married Charles Cheyne, who became Viscount Newhaven.

Besides her writing, Jane helped manage her father's properties. This was especially important when her father was in exile during the English Civil War. She handled many military letters and saved valuable family treasures. Later in life, she became an important person in Chelsea. She used her money to improve Chelsea Church and help her friends and neighbours. Jane's life showed great strength and creativity. Her story tells us about a Royalist woman's brave spirit during a difficult time in English history.

Growing Up

Born in 1621, Jane Cavendish grew up in a wealthy and loving family. Her parents were William Cavendish and his first wife, Elizabeth Basset Howard. Much of the family's money came from William's grandmother, Elizabeth Hardwick, Countess of Shrewsbury. Bess was a very successful woman who owned a lot of property. She also had amazing tapestries, which were passed down in the family. Bess was a great example of a strong, independent woman for William's daughters. William also added to the family's wealth. He married Elizabeth Howard, who was a rich widow.

William Cavendish loved literature and writing. He was a writer himself and knew many famous poets and playwrights. These included Ben Jonson, Thomas Shadwell, and John Dryden. Because of her father's connections, Jane grew up surrounded by the fancy life of King Charles I's court. She had many beautiful gowns made of expensive fabrics.

Even at a young age, Jane showed her writing talent. In one of her father's books, he wrote a short poem to her: "Sweet Jane / I know you are a rare Inditer.— / And hath the Pen off a moste redye writer. / W.N." Jane wrote back: "My Lord / I know you doo but Jest with mee / & so in obdence I right this nothing / Jane Cavendysshe." Her father wrote similar poems to all his children. But only Jane and one brother wrote back. Jane's reply was much cleverer. Her father's idea that she was "a moste redye writer" proved true. As an adult, she wrote her own poetry and worked with her sister on other writings.

The English Civil War Years

The English Civil War was a very hard time for the Cavendish family. They were strong Royalists, meaning they supported King Charles I. In 1642, theatres were closed, which was a big deal for them. William had written plays that were performed in public. His daughters also enjoyed plays, both public shows and private readings.

The war brought more serious problems. Jane's mother, Elizabeth Basset Howard, died in 1643. This left her children with money but without her guidance. Soon after, William lost an important battle at Marston Moor. He then fled to France, leaving his daughters to look after his home, Welbeck Abbey, by themselves.

Welbeck Abbey was taken by Parliamentarian forces in August 1644. Royalists briefly got it back in 1645 but lost it again in November. During these uncertain times, Jane and her sisters, Elizabeth and Frances, hosted King Charles I twice at Welbeck in 1645. After the King was executed in 1649, life became even harder for the sisters. Their father was called a traitor. They were forced to stay at home under house arrest, and the Parliamentarian soldiers were often rude.

Jane worked hard to protect her family's belongings. She managed to arrange for her father's valuable Van Dyck paintings and some tapestries to be moved to safety. She and Frances also sent letters to the Royalist army. These letters gave updates on Welbeck and the area around it.

During this time, Jane and her sister Elizabeth started writing many works together. They probably began as early as 1635, but most of their writings were done during the Civil War. These works were copied by their father's scribe, John Rollston. Today, you can find them in the Beinecke and Bodleian libraries. One book, Beinecke Osborn MS b. 233, contains only Jane's poetry. Another, Bodleian Library, MS Rawl., Poet. 16, is a larger collection. It is called Poems Songs a Pastorall and a Play by the Right Honorable the Lady Jane Cavendish and Lady Elizabeth Brackley. This book includes writings by both Jane and Elizabeth. Rollston noted in the margins who wrote each part.

The sisters' writing together likely stopped when Elizabeth moved to Ashridge. She went to live with her husband, John Egerton. Frances and Jane later joined Elizabeth at Ashridge for a short time. It was more stable there than at their own home, which was under attack. In 1654, Jane married Charles Cheyne. He later became Viscount Newhaven. Jane and Charles had three children: Elizabeth (born 1656), William (born 1657), and Catherine (born 1658). Even with the war still going on, Jane and her husband found some comfort. Charles even bought the former royal palace and manor of Chelsea using his wife's dowry.

Later Life

The Restoration brought changes to Jane's life. A big change was her father's return to England with his second wife, Margaret Lucas Cavendish. Margaret was younger than Jane. Margaret was not welcomed by the family. Jane wrote several letters to other family members. She discussed how Margaret was trying to control William's property and money.

Some experts have thought that the character "Lady Tranquility" in Jane and Elizabeth's play The Concealed Fansyes was a joke about Margaret Lucas. However, others think this is unlikely. The play's story about a father choosing an unsuitable fiancée might show the daughters' worries. But there are very few similarities to the real Margaret Lucas. Also, the book containing The Concealed Fansyes was a gift for William Cavendish from his daughters. They wanted to please him, not offend him.

In 1664, Jane's sister Elizabeth died after childbirth. This led Jane to write a sad poem, an elegy, for Elizabeth. It is hard to know how much poetry Jane wrote in her later years. The elegy for Elizabeth is the only one found so far. But some scholars believe Jane continued to write poetry throughout her life.

Even if she didn't write much poetry after leaving Welbeck in the 1650s, Jane made a big impact. In 1667, she used her own money to have Chelsea Church re-roofed. Jane died in 1669 after having several epileptic fits. Her influence in Chelsea was remembered in a funeral speech by Adam Littleton and a poem by Thomas Lawrence. Both texts mention how Jane used her money to help her community. They also suggest that her friends and neighbours knew she was a writer. From her home at Welbeck to the house she shared with her husband and the wider community of Chelsea, Jane was involved in culture in her own way.

Archives with Jane Cavendish's Works

A Celebration of Women Writers (Online editions)

• The Concealed Fansyes: A Play by Lady Jane Cavendish and Lady Elizabeth Brackley (Cheyne, Jane, Lady, 1621–1669 and Egerton, Elizabeth Cavendish, 1626–1663). Edited by Nathan Comfort Starr. PMLA, Vol. 46, No. 3 (Sep. 1931), pp. 802–838. Copyright not renewed.

Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut.

• Osborn Shelves MS b.233. A special book of Jane Cavendish's writings.

Bodleian Library, University of Oxford, Oxford.

• MS Rawl. Poet 16. A special book of writings by Elizabeth Egerton and Jane Cavendish.

Huntington Library, San Marino, CA

• MS EL 8048. A letter from Elizabeth Cavendish Egerton to Jane Cheyne.
• MS EL 8353. A poem, "On the death of my Dear Sister,” by Jane Cavendish Cheyne, 1663.
• MS EL 11143. Lady Jane Cheyne's account book.

University of Nottingham, Nottingham.

• MS Portland PwV 19. Thomas Lawrence's elegy for Jane Cavendish Cheyne.