Jewellers Bills (3) 1861, 1864 and 1866

Three jewellers bills recording quantities of silverware purchased or hired by Henry 5th Viscount Bolingbroke in 1861 and 1862.

At the time Henry, who was in his forties, was living with his long-term mistress Ellen Medeux. The couple masqueraded as Mr and Mrs Morgan and moved between homes in London, Brighton and the continent. The bills suggest they were living in some style, with all the dining equipment a wealthy couple might expect to need when entertaining.

There is just one reference in the bills to jewellery. On April 1st 1861 Lord Bolingbroke purchased a pair of pearl earrings for three pounds and ten shillings (around £350 today), presumably for Ellen though that is not certain.

You can see a fine display of St.John family silver in the Dining Room at Lydiard Park. Some items may well relate to the lists shown here.