The Mitford Sisters
Dedicated to the most scandalous bunch of sisters of the 20th century. Diana the Fascist, Jessica the Communist, Unity the Hitler-lover, Nancy the Novelist, Deborah the Duchess and Pamela the unobtrusive poultry connoisseur.
You can find my non-Mitford related posts at therealhousewivesofwesteros.tumblr.com
4thJulWed
“ When I met Decca Mitford at Cousin Dorothy’s the other weekend we both more or less fell in love with each other… then we arranged that she should come to Spain as my secretary. I expect by the time you get this we’ll have been married in Spain, as of course we’ve been unofficially so since we left, and we’re intending to have three children.
“ When I met Decca Mitford at Cousin Dorothy’s the other weekend we both more or less fell in love with each other… then we arranged that she should come to Spain as my secretary. I expect by the time you get this we’ll have been married in Spain, as of course we’ve been unofficially so since we left, and we’re intending to have three children.
Of course her family loathe the name etc. of me so I think if you ever meet Lady Redesdale you might perhaps pour some whitewash on me. ”
- Esmond Romilly to Nellie Romilly, 1937 (via fineoldconflicts)
Jessica Mitford, aged 14 (with Tray) and Esmond Romilly, aged about 16.
7thJunThu
Staged shot for the Washington Post’s ‘Baby Blue Bloods in Hobohemia’ series, Washington, autumn 1939
“He was one of the most attentive husbands I’ve ever seen and one of the most devoted… I’ve never seen two people more completely in love as they were. I’ve never seen any two people that seemed to be so completely one.” — Virginia Durr
26thAprThu
“ I was completely, deeply committed; I hadn’t been able to take my eyes off Esmond all weekend. I had watched the Scotts succumb to his extraordinary charm, like trees slowly falling before the wind. Although Esmond was the youngest person in the party, he had seemed like a star around which everything revolved. A wind, a star, he represented to me all that was bright, attractive and powerful, and I did wonder what he thought of me. There had been one slight indication; one night the party at Cousin Dorothy’s had played a primitive sort of parlor game, then popular, in which each guest gave the others marks for various qualities — beauty, sense of humor, intelligence, sex appeal and so forth. The scores were added and announced, and the papers kept anonymous. Terrified of being discovered, I had gone down in my dressing gown after everyone else was asleep to salvage the crumpled sheets from the wastebasket. I discarded two neatly penned papers as Scott products; another, in a spidery and old-fashioned hand, must be Cousin Dorothy’s; and I recognized my own. That left an untidy penciled scrawl, in which I had got straight “10’s” — the top mark. This must be Esmond’s paper. Other than that I had no clue. ”
- Jessica Mitford, Hons and Rebels (via fineoldconflicts)
4thAprWed
“ I have missed you enormously the last few days — it has been similar to a prolonged dull kind of stomach ache, and so I’ll be glad to get to Canada to get started on something. The car, driving around, having meals, club breakfasts, arriving in new places etc. have all point removed when done without you. Well, there is one thing — not seeing you all this time will certainly give me something terrific to look forward to. Be sure to write me exactly what you’re doing, and be sure to have a nice and exciting time, and enjoy yourself. ”
- Esmond Romilly to Jessica Mitford, 1940 (via fineoldconflicts)
23rdMarFri
Jessica Mitford and Esmond Romilly, April 1937
Yes, I’ve posted this picture multiple times before. But a) it’s in slightly better quality now, and b) it’s still cute. I will probably post it again sometime in the future. For that is my way.
18thMarSun
Jessica Mitford and Esmond Romilly on the beach near Calvi, summer 1938.
