From Cradle to Crown: British Nannies and Governesses at the World's Royal Courts

by Charlotte Zeepvat

Used, as new

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Royalty, 19th Century, Biography, British Literature, Russia

352 pages, Hardcover

First published April 6, 2006

About the author

Charlotte studied medieval and modern history at Birmingham University and completed an MA thesis which explored the curious links between diplomacy, espionage and art collecting in the mid-seventeenth century.

Charlotte's writing career began in 1991 with Royal Digest (a magazine to which she was principal contributor throughout its 14-year existence before moving on to its successor, Royalty Digest Quarterly). Her books have included a biography of Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany and two books on the Russian imperial family. The lastest is 'Before Action: William Noel Hodgson and the 9th Devons - A Story of the Great War'.

Other areas in which Charlotte has an interest are miniature painting and model making, the literature of the First World War and the history of portraiture. Royal photography is another specialist area and Charlotte has a large collection of original photographs currently represented by the Illustrated London News Picture Library and the Mary Evans Picture Library.

Reviews

[♏ Gina☽ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was an interesting read. Well written and well researched, it tells the true story of a number of young women who left their homes to become nannies to the children born to wealthy and/or royal parents.

Some of these young ladies were running from poverty, some from horrific home lives, some were pregnant with nowhere else to turn - and all became one of the most influential people in these children's lives. Most found they loved being nannies, and cared for these children as if they were their own.

If you are interested in a little peek under the crown of some of the world's royal families, this book will be for you. Nannies were often a part of the daily lives that the rest of the world never saw. They were confidantes and rarely, if ever, talked about what went on in the lavish castles and homes that became their homes too.

[Zosi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written, thorough, and fascinating.

[Karyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting concept, but it would have been better to perhaps concentrate on a few rather than so many. It was very scattered and therefore made it hard to follow.

[Johannes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zeepvat is one of my favourite authors when it comes to royal history, she has the right touch to turn even the most boring recollection into an interesting story. And this wasn't the case, both these nannies and governesses had full access to royal enclosures, and private lives to the point sometimes they knew their charges, and their elders, well enough as to have been spies if needed, and some of them were.

It goes without saying this is all but a lost world, well, perhaps not for the British aristocracy and some royals still kept nannies but they lack, for certain, the gravitas these woman did have to embark themselves into long, and unpleasant, journeys into the unknown with a lot of goodwill, and headstrong characters.

I particularly like the story: "it is only bombs dear, now elbows off the table". Upper stiff lip if there ever was one.

[Louise Heren · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very well researched social history that explores a new aspect of royal court life from mid 19th century. A well written and informative read.