Tower and Town, September 2021

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Chawton And Jane Austen

Did you know that the cottage that Jane Austen spent the last years of her life is an easy car journey of less than 50 miles from Marlborough? And just 400 metres up the road, is Chawton Great House, owned by her brother Edward Austen Knight. More good news, both properties are open to the public and really help to bring one of the nation’s favourite authors to life. 

 Jane’s father, George, retired from his living at Steventon Rectory, where Jane had been born and had done much of her early writing. In 1801. Jane’s parents, Jane, Cassandra and a friend, Martha Lloyd then moved to Bath where, in 1805 George, unexpectedly, died. The women, with very little money, spent the next years renting various homes or staying with the extended family, until Edward gave them Chawton Cottage in 1809. 

This move gave Jane stability and freedom from most domestic duties, enabling her to re-work earlier writing and embark on new works. When tenants left the Great House, Edward decided not to let it again but to use it for his large family when he was in the area. This meant that Jane had plenty of opportunities to use Edward’s magnificent library. All her major six novels were either written or revised during her time at Chawton. 

Although the cottage was modest, Jane was happy there because it gave her the freedom to write and she wrote this humorous verse in its praise: 

Our Chawton home – how much we find 
Already in it to our mind, 
And how convinced that when complete 
It will all other Houses beat, 
That ever have been made or mended,
  With rooms concise or rooms distended.

I urge you to visit Chawton – you won’t be disappointed.

Ellen PRockter