The Hon. Mrs Ronald Henry Fulke Greville, DBE (1863-1942) nee Anderson in fancy-dress as as 'Mary Seaton' for the Devonshire House Ball
Alice Hughes (1857-1939) [photographer] London
Category
Photographs
Date
2 Jul 1897
Materials
photographic paper and leather
Measurements
202 mm (H)154 mm (W)362 mm (H)285 mm (W)
Place of origin
Gower Street
Order this imageCollection
Polesden Lacey, Surrey
NT 1246776
Summary
A studio portrait specially designed for the occasion.
Full description
The Hon. Mrs Ronald Greville is dressed as 'Mary Seaton' for the Devonshire House Ball. Dated 2nd July 1897. This photograph is included in the Collection's copy of the Devonshire House Ball Album. We believe that Margaret was on the committee which financed the ball and organised the production of beautifully bound albums, one of which was presented to the Duchess of Devonshire. There is no photograph of her husband, Ronnie, in costume. Mary Seton (1549–1615) was a Scottish courtier and later a nun. Most likely she was a lay sister at Saint Pierre les Dames at the time of her death. Like the queen, she no doubt used the name 'Marie', not 'Mary'. She was the daughter of George Seton, 6th Lord Seton, and Marie Pieris, a French-born lady-in-waiting to Marie de Guise, consort of King James V of Scotland. As a child, Mary Seton became a lady-in-waiting to the young Mary, Queen of Scots, along with three other girls of similar age and of a similar standing in Scots society. They were famously known as "The Four Marys": she and Mary Beaton, Mary Fleming and Mary Livingston. They were chosen by Marie de Guise, with the exception of Mary Fleming, for their Franco-Scottish parentage. The Four Marys accompanied Queen Mary to France where she wed the Dauphin. Mary Seton was the only one of the four not to marry, and continued in service with Mary, in Scotland and during her captivity in England.
Marks and inscriptions
Alice Hughes / 52 Gower Street, London (printed on front)
Makers and roles
Alice Hughes (1857-1939) [photographer] London, photographer