In the southern county of Hampshire, one can explore the small towns in which Jane Austen spent most of her life and drew inspiration for the majority of her books. A good place to start would be Chawton, the village where Jane Austen lived from 1809-1817. The house where she lived is now a museum, replete with memorabilia and artifacts. From there one might choose to visit Steventon, where Jane Austen was born, and then head for Winchester, where she died and was buried.
Jane Austen's House at Chawton
A few years after her father's death, Jane Austen moved with her mother and sister, Cassandra, to Chawton, where a small house was provided for them by her wealthy brother Edward. Chawton Cottage was part of Chawton Manor House, an estate bequeathed to Edward. The cottage was formerly tenanted by Edward Austen's steward. Jane's moving there with her mother and sister is reminiscent of Elinor and Marianne Dashwood's moving with their mother, following their father's death, to Barton Cottage, a small house part of a larger estate called Barton Park, in Sense and Sensibility. Chawton Cottage, however, is not as small as its name would suggest. Flanked by gardens, this L-shaped, red brick building included two sitting-rooms and six bedrooms.
It was in this house that Jane Austen completed and published Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park and Emma. She would write in the smaller of the sitting rooms, at her mahogany desk or even on the dining-table. Her writing desk is still at Chawton Cottage today, and visitors can also see manuscript letters written in her own hand, some of the jewelry she wore and even a patchwork quilt made by herself, her mother and her sister.
While Jane was at Chawton, she passed much of her time just as her heroines in her novels did: by playing on her pianoforte, walking to the nearby village of Alton with her sister where they did their shopping, and visiting. One place they would of course have enjoyed visiting was Chawton House and its surrounding parkland. This manor from the Elizabethan era is just a short walk from Chawton Cottage and the village center, and sits opposite the rectory. Today it is known as Chawton House Library, and houses a collection of books focusing on women's writing from 1600 to 1830. Visitors can tour the house and its grounds, as well as the library.
Steventon
Jane Austen was born in the rectory of Steventon. She spent twenty-five years of her life there, and many of the friendships that would last a lifetime were formed at Steventon. She had a very active social life, and would often attend social gatherings in nearby Basingstoke at the Assembly Rooms. Nothing is left of the home where she grew up; the house was demolished not long after her death. Steventon Church, which dates back to the 12th century, is almost unchanged from when Jane Austen's father was its Rector. Here visitors can see a bronze plaque dedicated to Jane Austen.
Winchester
In 1816 Jane became ill, and in 1817 was forced to stop writing due to her declining health. In April she was confined to her bed, and in May her sister took her to Winchester for treatment. There she was diagnosed with a "wasting disease," and died on July 18, aged 41. Visitors to Winchester can see the yellow brick house on College Street where Jane Austen lodged with her sister Cassandra, and where she died. But the most popular attraction is no doubt Winchester Cathedral, which dates back to the Norman period. It is in this cathedral, in the north aisle, beneath a stone slab, that Jane Austen is buried. On her gravestone is the following inscription:
In memory of JANE AUSTEN, youngest daughter of the late Revd. GEORGE AUSTEN, formerly Rector of Steventon in this county. She departed this Life on the 18th of July 1817, aged 41, after a long illness supported with the patience of a Christian.
The benevolence of her heart, the sweetness of her temperament and the extraordinary endowments of her mind obtained the regard of all who knew her, and the warmest love of her intimate connections.
Their grief is in proportion to their affection, they know their loss to be irreparable. But in their deepest affliction they are consoled by a firm though humble hope that her charity, devotion, faith and purity, have rendered her soul acceptable in the sight of her REDEEMER. (qtd. from: Winchester - Jane Austen's final resting place. Hantsweb)
In 1870, Jane Austen's nephew Edward erected a brass plaque next to her grave. On this plaque is made mention of what was not touched upon on her gravestone: her writing.
Sources
Chawton.info
Hampshire, the inspirational home of Jane Austen. Hantsweb.
Howard, Tom. Austen Country. London: Grange Books, 1997.
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