The Accidental Duchess
From Farmer's Daughter to Belvoir Castle
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The Accidental Duchess
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Narrated by:
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Emma Manners Duchess of Rutland
About this listen
This audiobook is read by the author, Emma Manners, Duchess of Rutland.
When Emma Watkins, the pony-mad daughter of a Welsh farmer, imagined her future, she imagined following in her mother's footsteps to marry a farmer of her own. But then she fell in love with David Manners, having no idea that he was heir to one of the most senior hereditary titles in the land. When David succeeded his father, Emma found herself becoming the chatelaine of Belvoir Castle, ancestral home of the Dukes of Rutland.
She had to cope with five boisterous children while faced with a vast estate in desperate need of modernisation and staff who wanted nothing to change - it was a daunting responsibility. Yet with sound advice from the doyenne of duchesses, Duchess ‘Debo’ of Devonshire, she met each challenge with optimism and gusto, including scaling the castle roof in a storm to unclog a flooding gutter; being caught in her nightdress by mesmerised Texan tourists and disguising herself as a cleaner to watch filming of The Crown. She even took on the castle ghosts . . .
At times the problems she faced seemed insoluble yet, with her unstoppable energy and talent for thinking on the hoof, she won through, inspired by the vision and passion of those Rutland duchesses in whose footsteps she trod, and indeed the redoubtable and resourceful women who forged her way, whose homes were not castles but remote farmhouses in the Radnorshire Hills.
Vividly written and bursting with insights, The Accidental Duchess will appeal to everyone who has visited a stately home and wondered what it would be like to one day find yourself not only living there, but in charge of its future.
©2022 Macmillan Publishers International Limited (P)2022 Macmillan Publishers International LimitedListeners also enjoyed...
Critic reviews
'The Duchess does indeed seem a remarkable woman . . . this is an engaging book' Lynn Barber, Daily Telegraph
What listeners say about The Accidental Duchess
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- sandi
- 26-06-24
Beautiful voice
I liked everything . Would love another book by Emma . I feel I know her . What am I going to read now ?
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Angelcritique
- 21-03-23
Capable and committed
This lovely, committed and capable lady after a lifetime of dedication and service gets cast off like a worn shoe. He so does not deserve her. His first lunge at her in the car should have been an indicator: honing in on her value as a potential brood mare and chatelaine for a man who was in need. I wish her every happiness. This would have benefitted from the services of a professional narrator although the duchess does well despite her obvious difficulties.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- haskell
- 14-10-23
Finished in two days
I usually just read fiction, but knowing Emma’s Welsh family and the area she spent her childhood decided to give it a go.
Well worth it.
Her struggle with dyslexia ( children are helped today) but then and before we were just thought thick! Congratulations on how she managed to overcome it.
I remember hearing about the wedding venue change at the time, Roma and John must have been devastated, Brampton Bryan was a lovely country church, flowers always beautiful ( I was married there in 1968) daughters were always married from the local church. No option marrying into the Manners family, a whole different life which she opened up for us and herself in her book.
Don’t know how she managed to do all she did bringing Belvoir back to a going concern raising five children plus very sadly five miscarriages
Great houses bring great responsibility, it has been lucky to have Emma as its Duchess
Good listen
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4 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Amazon Customer
- 12-04-23
A wonderful book
This is a holy engrossing book, and I have huge admiration for the Duchess, who has clearly overcome many hurdles to restore Belvoir Castle, and has achieved so much on the estate.
Her reading of the book is particularly enjoyable, as she does not speak, too fast, and her personality comes across. Thoroughly recommended.
The Duchess comes across as a courageous lady, with great personality and drive.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Stephanie Alexander
- 16-03-23
Enjoyed
Very interesting especially as local to the area I grew up in so can relate to a lot of the local community
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Debi J
- 28-10-23
Fascinating and Engaging - Excellent Listen
I really enjoyed this audiobook. The Duchess of Rutland has lived an interesting and fascinating life.
The descriptions of things like the shooting parties that her family hosted when she was a child, or managing the daunting running of a huge house are very well told. I could picture everything very clearly.
I have visited Belvoir Castle before, and definitely hope to again soon - as now I have a much better understanding of what this lovely house really takes to keep going.
I was genuinely sad when I came to the end. I hope she one day writes a sequel!
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 11-05-23
Much enjoyed
I found this an edifying read and such an interesting story of a country family with privileges, yet Emma has kept her humanity.
A most accessible book. It inspires me to visit great houses and grounds again.
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- E. Clark
- 22-11-23
Great book
Really enjoyed listening to this book. Learned so much. Great book from beginning to end without ever getting bored. So inspiring as well.
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- Suzanne M.
- 26-03-24
The strength of women
I was a bit hesitant about this book but absolutely loved it. The Duchess is a fabulous example to all women out there and should be very proud of herself.
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- Malcolm Mills
- 22-12-22
Most interesting
This is a really lovely story told by an incredible lady. The Duchess is to be congratulated on all her work , she certainly has put a lot int her life.
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2 people found this helpful