Cousin Kate

Cousin Kate

Cover from the Pan Paperback edition, published in 1971

Cover from the Pan Paperback edition, published in 1979

Cousin Kate was one of Georgette Heyer's last novels, written in 1968. After Cousin Kate, only Charity Girl and Lady of Quality were published before she died in 1974. My Lord John was published in 1975.

Time Line

Cousin Kate is a dark, rather gothic novel, although it is set between 1821 and 1826.
Kate's mother died in Portugal when Kate was 12 years old. As the Peninsular wars took place from 1808 to 1814, and Kate is 24 years old when the book begins, this places the time of the novel at sometime after 1821.
Exactly when Kate's mother died is not disclosed, but Kate tells Torquil that she and her mother and Sarah were in Lisbon at the time of the Corunna Retreat, so her mother is still alive at the beginning of 1809.

Background to the novel
Left destitute by the death of her father, and having unsuccessfully tried the career of governess, Katherine Malvern (Kate) seeks refuge with her old Nurse, Sarah, now the wife of a carrier, Joe Nidd.
Sarah, Joe, and Joe's father Josiah, with Kate's best interests at heart, inform Kate's aunt (Kate's father's half-sister) of Kate's situation. Kate is 'rescued' by her aunt, Minerva, Lady Broome, who takes her to Staplewood, situated in Leicester, near Market Harborough, where Kate meets Lady Broome's husband, Sir Timothy Broome, their son Torquil, and Philip, Sir Timothy's nephew.

This and That

Pickfords (with whom Josiah Nidd & Son, Carriers was beginning to provide some healthy competition): Started in 1666 by Thomas Pickford.

Coaching Inns and Parish Churches

A little about Country Home Life

The Angel, Market Harborough: situated in High Street, Market Harborough, The Angel hotel was built in 1746 and is still run as an inn today.

More information on Market Harborough.