Inheritance and Influence: Heiresses and the Montagu Property Network, circa 1749‐1827. (29th December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Purcell, Emma
• Other Names: Dashwood Rita J. guestEditor.; Lipsedge Karen guestEditor.
• Is Part Of: Journal for eighteenth-century studies. Volume 44:Number 4(2021)
• Page Start: 439
• Page End: 451
• Publication Date: 2021-12-29
• Subjects: agency -- heiress -- inheritance -- property -- women; Eighteenth century -- Periodicals; Europe -- Civilization -- 18th century -- Periodicals; Dix-huitième siècle -- Périodiques; Civilisation -- 18e siècle -- Périodiques; 940.25305
• DOI: 10.1111/1754-0208.12806
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1754-0194

Abstract

Abstract: The Montagu property network was inherited by two successive heiresses in the eighteenth century: Mary, duchess of Montagu, and her daughter Elizabeth, duchess of Buccleuch. The inheritance of a large property network by these women had a profound effect on both the use of the properties and the extent to which both women were able to assert their own agency through their management. The heiress remains a surprisingly understudied figure in eighteenth‐century historiography, but by using the Montagu duchesses as a case study, the heiress will be brought to the forefront of attention, demonstrating the influence that heiresses could have over property, even within marriage.