An exchange of letters: estate management and lady Yarborough

Abstract

A collection of letters covering some 5 years provides the opportunity to examine an episode in the life of Lady Victoria Yarborough in the second half of the nineteenth century. On the death of her husband in 1875 she played an effective role in the management of the substantial Lincolnshire estate, which brought her into conflict with the trustees. The issues highlighted in this strained relationship, however, have implications for gender stereotyping as well as for a greater understanding of the important role of aristocratic women in rural society at a time when the power and influence of this hitherto ruling élite was being challenged in a number of ways.