1776 - Everyday Life

Everyday Life

English courtesan Elizabeth Chudleigh, 56, is adjudged guilty of bigamy. Beautiful but illiterate, she had several affairs with courtiers of George II before being secretly married at age 24 to Augustus John Hervey, brother of the 2nd earl of Bristol. She concealed the birth and death of a son, obtained a separation, denied the marriage on oath when being courted by the 2nd duke of Kingston, married him in 1769, and inherited his estates when he died 3 years ago. His nephew has brought suit, and her marriage to Hervey (who has succeeded his brother as 3rd earl of Bristol) will be declared valid next year.