Cavalier

June 4, 2007
Worsley, the chief curator of Britain's Historic Royal Palaces, closely examines the life of 17th-century English aristocrat William Cavendish, a champion of poetry, music, horses, women and architecture, with reference to numerous primary sources including a rich body of his estate papers, letters and poems. Every detail of Cavendish's universe comes to life, from architect John Smithson's designs for his exquisite home to the job descriptions and diets of the building site's laborers. Also vividly described is a nasty household plot against Cavendish's much younger second wife and a costly entertainment staged by Cavendish to curry favor with Charles I. It succeeded, and the King made William earl, marquis, his heir's tutor and a Civil War general, a commission beyond Cavendish's abilities. After a key battle of the war ended in disaster, Cavendish fled to the continent, lived in relative poverty and was branded a coward, but his fortunes rebounded under Charles II, who minted him duke of Newcastle. Although fascinating, this diligently documented account reveals its roots as a doctoral thesis. 16-page color insert, b&w illus.

Starred review from July 1, 2007
Worsley (chief curator, Historic Royal Palaces; "Bolsover Castle") has written an offbeat biography of Stuart grandee William Cavendish (15931676), telling his story through ten short episodes of an eventful life. True to her background, in each vignette Worsley lovingly documents the quality of life in a 17th-century household: food, dress, manners, decor, horticulture, and the backstairs staff. The "necessary woman" who empties Cavendish's chamber pot earns about as much attention as his first wife. Worsely also describes in fascinating detail the many building projects of the Cavendish family, particularly the Little Castle at Bolsover, where in 1634 Cavendish entertained Charles I with a masque written for the occasion by Ben Jonson. The foreground of most versions of Cavendish's lifehis poetry, tutoring of young Charles II, civil war defeat in battle at Marston Moor, and subsequent exile to Antwerpbecomes the background in this charming picture of how Cavendish and his household experienced their lives. Worsely argues that this careful look at Cavendish's household shows a world transforming itself from medieval to recognizably modern during the course of his life. No library should be without this innovative volume.Stewart Desmond, New York

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