Norwich bulletin., 1914-07-21
FAMOUS TRIALS
TRIAL OF ELIZABETH cHUp-
 LEIGH,

Elizabeth Chudleigh was one of the most celebrated beauties of the latter half of the eighteenth century, and was wooed by several of the most promin- ent of the court dandies, but event. uaIly, on Aug. 4 1744, she married the Hon. Augustus John Heryey, at the time lieutenant in the navy. Several days after the wedding the husband joined his ship and sailed for the West Indies. Upon his return the HerYeys had disagreement and they never lived together afterward.
 When she was married Elizabeth was a maid of honor to the princess at Leicester house and she continued to hold this position after she had sepa- rated from her husband. She was re- markable even then for the freedom and indelicacy of her conduct appear ing on one occasion in l14s at mask ed ball in the character of 'lphigenia, ,'so sparsley dressed" said Horace WaIpole; that you would have taken her for "Andromeda.'
 George H. pretended to be in love with Elizabeth and made her mum Der of valuable presents, as well as ap- pointing her mother as housekeeper at Windsor. On account of the failing health of the earl of Bristol in 1f6s. which seemed to promise the spec ly succession of his brother, Augustus Hefvey. Elizabeth thought it well to take means to enable herself to estah- fish her marriage should she wish 10 do so.
 Early in February Elizabeth went to Winchester, where the minister who had performed the ceremony lay on his deathbed, and in the presence Of his wife caused him to enter her mar : riage in the register book of Lainston chapel.
 
 ond duke of Kingston were on es- peeially intimate terms, and her part ies were among the most fashionable in London. She paid a visit to Ger many where her beauty attracted ad- miration and Emperor Frederic II. paid her marked attention.
 Upon her return to England her hus- band notified her that he purposed ap- plying for a divorce. She was anxious that this divorce should be granted that she could marry the due of King ston, and that it could be broug It ! about she swore she was not married. On March she was married to the duke.
 When Hervey died in September, ITS, he left his property to the duch- ess, on condition that she remain q widow. Shortly after the dukes death she visited Italy and during her ab- sence from England, the dukes ! bigamy to be drawn up against her Upon her return home the duch sss busied herself in taking measures for i her defense. On May A, 17I5, she was i brought up for trial in the court of the kings bench before Lord Mansfield She was attended by the duke of New i castle and others and entered bail to appear before the peers in parliament i The trial of the duchess began on 1 April 15 17T6. on which day the peers went in procession from their house te i Westminster hall. together with the ] judges, the Garter king of arms; and other attendants on the lord high i steward, Earl Bathurst.
 In the course of the proceedings which extended from April Is to s2 the marriage with Hervey. the birth oi a child and the registration of a maf- Fiage in 1f59 were clearly proved and a verdict of guilty of bigamy was unanimously pronounced by the peers As bigamy was clergyable offense i the duchess might have been burned on the hand. but she claimed the priv ] llege or her peefage, which exempte l her from corporal punishment and, d. l though the attorney general argued against her claim. it was allowed by 1 the peers.
 1 The farce then ended in the greatest piece of humor of all-the injunction to the duchess not to commit bigaml a second time. The lord high steward | ended his charge to her as follows:
 Madam, I must tell you that if yoI | should ever be guilty of a. similar of fense, of any crime amounting to fel. ony, that no such claim can be agair l allowed. but that you will thereby in. cur canital punishment"
 | After her trial the duchess, hearinf that the dukes nephews were abou to proceed against her, left England and spent the remainder of her If, on the continent. but in possession O the wealth Jeff her by the earl of Bris l tef Her story is said to have sug, l gested tp Taaekeray the character o heatriee in rEsmond' and of the Bar, eness Bernstein in sFhe Virsiniansr