Lillie Langtry Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description
Lillie Langtry (née Emilie Charlotte Le Breton) (13 October 1853 - 12 February 1929) was a British actress born on the island of Jersey in 1853 -- hence her nickname, "The Jersey Lily." Her father was the Dean of the Isle of Jersey.
Emilie married Irish landowner Edward Langtry in 1874, but did not begin her stage career until several years later, after her husband became bankrupt. She also had a daughter, born in 1881, Jeanne Marie Langtry (she married Sir Ian Malcolm of Poltalloch in 1902, had four children, and died in 1964), whose father was definitely not Lillie's husband. The child's actual father was reportedly Lillie Langtry's lover Prince Louis of Battenberg (later 1st Marquess of Milford Haven, 1854-1921), who married Queen Victoria's granddaughter Princess Victoria of Hesse and the Rhine in 1884 and became father of Earl Mountbatten of Burma, the last Viceroy of India, and grandfather of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. A recent biography of Langtry suggests that another of her lovers, Arthur Jones, may have been Jeanne Marie's father, though Prince Louis's son Lord Mountbatten always maintained that his father was the one.
Lillie's heyday as a society beauty culminated in her becoming a semi-official mistress to the Prince of Wales, Queen Victoria's son Albert Edward ("Bertie"), the future king Edward VII. Other lovers included wealthy Britons Robert Peel and George Baird. Among her friends were the Irish writer Oscar Wilde and the American artist James McNeill Whistler. She was for a time the manager of the Imperial Theatre and also manufactured claret at her 4,200 acre (17 km²) winery in southern California, which she purchased in 1888 and sold in 1906.
In 1887 Lillie became an American citizen, and divorced her husband the same year in California. In 1899, she married the much younger Hugo Gerald de Bathe, who would inherit a baronetcy, and became a leading owner in the horse-racing world, before retiring to Monte Carlo.
Lillie Langtry's story was dramatised by London Weekend Television as Lillie, with Francesca Annis in the title role. She was also portrayed on film by Ava Gardner in the 1972 movie The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean, and (a heavily fictionalized version) by Stacy Haiduk in the 1996 television series Kindred.
The town of Langtry, Texas, was not named for her, although its most illustrious inhabitant, Judge Roy Bean, was an ardent admirer, naming the saloon where he held court "The Jersey Lily". Bean himself spread the rumor about the town's name. He also built an opera house in anticipation of a visit, and Mrs. Langtry appeared there after Bean's death. (The town was named for railroad supervisor George Langtry.)
The future King Edward VII bought a plot of land in a secluded area of the *East Cliff in Bournemouth for his mistress Lillie Langtry. He decided that he wanted to have somewhere that they could get away from prying eyes, relax and be themselves.
Edward VII told Lillie that she could design a home for them. Where others would have preferred jewellery and gowns Lillie was very practical and considered land and property to have lasting value.
Lillie enjoyed designing the romantic royal love nest, adding personal touches. The foundation stone shows ELL (Emilie Le Breton Langtry) and 1877. The King's chamber had a lofty ceiling specially designed to disperse his cigar smoke. The walls featured original paintings and their love of the theatre was reflected in the huge carved oak fireplace featuring hand painted tiles with scenes from Shakespeare in blue and white enamel with gold leaf.
On the outside wall of the Kings room the motto 'Dulce Domum' (Sweet Home) can be seen. On the other side of the building is written 'Stet Fortuna Domus' (may fortune attend those who dwell here).
Lillie was determined to stamp her personality on the building and on entering her friends would be welcomed with the greeting 'and yours my friends' meaning this is your home too.
No royal retreat would be complete without a magnificent Dining Hall. Lillie hated dark wood and as in the rest of the house the wood was painted with the new white enamel. Beneath the minstrels gallery is a self explanatory statement for all to see: 'They say What say they? Let them say'. Carved into the inglenook fireplace are the letters 'ELL' and in the stained glass window lovers' swans.
Lillie didn't want to leave anyone in doubt as who her benefactor was. She even had curtain tie back hooks with the Prince's own emblem. A humorous feature of the Dining Hall is the peep hole from where His Royal Highness could view his guests before deciding whether to descend.
The building work did not proceed at the pace the couple desired. The English masons were on strike and others had to be imported from Holland. Meanwhile the couple made use of the nearby home of Lord Derby (now the Langtry Lodge).
Lillie named her pride and joy the 'Red House' (now the Langtry Manor) and she and Bertie were delighted with the home that she had made for them. Picture the scene: Lillie is waiting for the Prince and sits in anticipation, glancing frequently out of the window, with the diamond ring he gave her she lovingly scratches her initials and intertwined love Hearts.
This feature along with many others previously mentioned can still be seen today along with a small display entitled 'The 1877 collection' which consists of Lillie Langtry memorabilia and relevant artefacts and pictures from 1877. A controversial feature within the building is a stained glass window dated 1881 on a staircase commemorating the birth of her daughter Jeanne Marie who was born in Paris and attended by the Prince's own Physician. Rumour has it that the child was fathered by Prince Louis of Battenberg, the Prince's Nephew, who soon after rose swiftly through the ranks of the British navy. Jeanne Marie was brought up as Lillie's niece and was only told who her father was on the eve of her wedding day.
- Langtry Manor is situated on the East Cliff in Bournemouth and was restored to its former glory by the Howard Family who own and maintain the hotel in the style befit for a King. On the website there is a virtual tour of the building along with photos. (This text is reprinted here with permission of the Howard Family).
This is an Article on Lillie Langtry. Page Contains Information, Facts Details or Explanation Guide About Lillie Langtry