St Dwynwen's Day tale of Wales' very own 'Jane Austen heroine'
- by Rachael Misstear, WalesOnline
Jan 25 2012
Maria Rice, in a pastel by John Russell
As Welsh lovers celebrate St Dwynwen's Day, Rachael Misstear shines a light on another Welsh romance which evokes the plot of a Jane Austen novel
A real-life 18th century romance that echoes Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is being investigated by the National Trust.
And on the day that Wales celebrates St Dwynwen’s Day, National Trust bosses are hoping to complete the story of the life of Carmarthenshire’s answer to the feisty Elizabeth Bennett – the equally spirited Maria Rice, of Newton House.
While much of Maria’s story is documented, there are still many details of her life that are unknown. And there is only one known painting of her.
The National Trust Carmarthenshire is looking for more details and possible paintings of Maria Rice and Vice Admiral Markham.
Amid the tales of women who married because of societal pressure or financial need, Maria Rice followed her heart, rather than convention.
“Maria Rice does sound like a Jane Austen heroine,” said National Trust research volunteer Kate Arblaster.
“She was the daughter of George and Cecil Rice, but her mother died when she was young so she lived with her brother and sister-in-law at Dinefwr.”
Maria met future husband Captain John Markham when he was recovering at the estate.
“Captain Markham was a sailor,” said Kate. “He was the son of the Archbishop of York and had been to school with George Talbot Rice, Maria’s brother. He visited Dinefwr in 1795, having returned an invalid from fighting the French in the West Indies.
“He was a physically injured and emotionally scarred man, after the deaths of many of his men and officers from scurvy and yellow fever.
“While being nursed back to good health at Dinefwr he met Maria. She wouldn’t have been involved in his care, but would have been a companion.
“The relationship burgeoning between them would have aided his recovery.”
An 1883 book, entitled A Naval Career during the Old War: A Narrative of the life of Admiral John Markham by Clements Markham, gives us clues to their love.
The book reveals how a recovering Captain Markham found himself “in the midst of enchanting scenery, beloved and honoured by a charming companion, with the bright prospect before him of many years of married happiness”.
“Before he left Dinefwr at the end of the year, he wrote a poem extolling the beauty of Dinefwr and the people who had been so good to him,” said Kate. “He and Maria met again the following spring in London and by the following autumn they were married.
“The couple went to live at Barrington Hall on the Oxford-Gloucestershire border, some three miles from Burford in a comfortable country house. They took long walks and read together and both had a great affection for their dog, Bob.”
Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/need-to-read/2012/01/25/st-dwynwen-s-day-tale-of-wales-very-own-jane-austen-heroine-91466-30195528/#ixzz1lMPkLwBt
