tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1436417288060370638.post6087991996522947465..comments2024-03-29T02:57:53.320-04:00Comments on ...... SHARP ELVES SOCIETY ...... Jane Austen's Shadow Stories: Countess Morley as Jane Austen's Secret Agent in the Royal Court Arnie Perlsteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01720424361279466002noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1436417288060370638.post-52065560504893977692014-01-29T09:03:26.928-05:002014-01-29T09:03:26.928-05:00What a generous, detailed response by you, thanks!...What a generous, detailed response by you, thanks! If you'd email me at arnieperlstein@myacc.net, I have some followup questions for you about Countess Morley!<br /><br />Cheers, ARNIE PERLSTEIN<br />Arnie Perlsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01720424361279466002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1436417288060370638.post-29776345478726832762014-01-29T07:08:09.971-05:002014-01-29T07:08:09.971-05:00Hello. I am in the fortunate position of being a ...Hello. I am in the fortunate position of being a researcher for the National Trust UK based at Saltram House in Devon home of the Parker family. We have been privileged to have access to many documents and correspondence relating to Frances Talbot and the Parker family which I and my trusty team have painstakingly transcribed over the last several years. In particular a long series of letters between Theresa Villiers and Frances. Not all the letters survive sadly, and there are gaps simply because there was no need to write when they were living next door to each other in London. There is a large amount of detail in the letters which also include letters from John Parker himself. Your blog contains snippets which seem to make a case, sadly however, we have yet to come across anything which might suggest that Frances had any association with JA other than the brief exchange of thanks on receipt of her copy of Emma. As for close association to the King and Royal Family, the Villiers family found themselves in an invidious position because his financial dealings were shady if not fraudulent and Theresa was indeed a member of the ladies in waiting for a while but there is certainly nothing to indicate any position of influence. All British aristocracy would come in contact with the King at some point, John Parker, Lord Boringdon and then Earl Morley was no exception. However, he was never able to be a 'mover and shaker' simply because he was tainted with a scandal which rendered him persona non grata in higher circles hence his marriage to Frances who had no money and no title. We were pleased to welcome JASNA to Saltram House a few years ago and hope we managed to give them a flavour of Parker life.Thoughts From The Studiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07378588946860660622noreply@blogger.com