Community Chat

[Oznell]

The interesting alert I read on the Q boards about the Eva Braun project got me to thinking about the infamous children of Lord Redesdale, the Mitfords.

They played an outsize role in English life, to say the least.  One, Diana, considered very 'glam', married Oswald Mosley, British fascist.  The previously mentioned Unity, felt quite comfortable with Nazis and developed a huge crush on Hitler (?!!!).   She gave Eva Braun some nervous moments.

Another, the ice-cold but clever writer, Nancy, was a limousine socialist, and Jessica ("Decca") became a Communist.  Not sure what sister Pam's leanings were!  Nor brother Tom's.  And finally, Deborah ("Debo") seemingly the most benign, became ultimately the Duchess of Devonshire, and lived in the serene magic of Chatsworth for most of her life. 

Here's what looks like a bare bones discussion of the family I found, with photos.  It's way too basic, I think.  If interested, try googling the BBC article on them-- it's far better, but might have some sidebars forbidden by QVC, so I won't link it for you.  Wiki and many many other sources will have tons of stuff.

https://historylists.org/people/list-of-the-6-mitford-sisters.html

I read Jessica Mitford's memoir when I was a teen, and it was the most startling depiction of English aristocratic life before World War II, and her family had to have been one of the most eccentric. The poisonous, Nazi-sympathizer Unity alone, was a complete enigma.  People still talk and speculate about the Mitfords.  If you like the whole Evelyn Waugh, "Brideshead Revisited" period, you might find them interesting.

[spiderw]

Very interesting and for me worth checking into more about the Mitford sisters, thanks for the information.  

[SharkE]

you see the Dr Phil show on the other day this week that had on these idiot women who dated and married and wrote to serial killers, murderers and such in the prison system.

@Oznell

[Phantom41]

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@SharkE wrote:

you see the Dr Phil show on the other day this week that had on these idiot women who dated and married and wrote to serial killers, murderers and such in the prison system.

@Oznell

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As the saying goes, "no matter how crooked the pot, there's always a lid to fit it."  Sometimes, I look at people and think, "wow, I'm glad you two found each other!"

[Free2be]

I didn't see these sisters at all as idiots, in fact they were amazingly intelligent but because they were home schooled and raised in such a way that their intelligence became mis-directed, it did not serve them well in life.  Still, their lives were fascinating and that's why we learn more about them now. 

[Oznell]

No, I didn't see that, @SharkE, but it no longer surprises me.  If Charles Manson and Ted Bundy can find "companions",  then anything goes.  I do think that the people drawn to killers and psychopaths have totally disordered childhoods and a fair number (although not all) were probably abused and have no self-esteem...

@Free2be, I agree that these specific Mitfords were not what we would think of as idiots.   They ranged from quite clever, to seriously misguided, to unexceptional, to bad characters, to apparently very mentally ill.  I don't think that being educated at home, or receiving a sketchy education (as surprisingly many English patricians did) accounts for the spectacular eccentricity and flamboyance of some of their lives.  It was a very strange family, with lots of cross currents and unusual dynamics, for sure.

I can still remember how stunned I was, first reading about them decades ago!

[Somertime]

Interesting to say the least!  Each a true individual in their own right.  Not one of them had a dull life.  Amazing the times they lived in and the circle in which  they were raised.  Socialism, Communionism and a devotee of Hitler, all in one family!  I had forgotten all about them until I saw your posting.  Thanks for reminding me!

[SunValley]

Ken Burns here is your next project....

[QVCalm]

Very, Very Interesting! Thank You!