A Devon author who specialises in breathing life into true stories from the past has chosen a remarkable Torrington story for her latest book, The Ordeal of Miss Lucy Jones.
In 1879, the effigies of
two local people were tarred, feathered and burned on Torrington Common by a
disorderly crowd of three thousand people. Who were the two victims, and why
were they being publicly shamed?
‘I was fascinated by a
report of the event in a nineteenth century newspaper,’ said author Liz
Shakespeare, who lives near Bideford, ‘so I decided to find out more.’
Incidents of ‘rough
music’ were not uncommon at the time. A
crowd of people, often in disguise, would march to the houses of those who had
committed an offence against society, often a couple who were believed to be
having an illicit affair. The crowd would make a terrible racket by banging
pots and pans and blowing horns, and sometimes effigies of the couple were
burnt. However, this event in Torrington was on an unprecedented scale.
‘One of the effigies was
of Miss Lucy Jones, the daughter of a Torrington doctor who lived in Castle House,’
said Liz. ‘As a church visitor to the poor, she had to meet regularly with the
curate, Reverend Francis. He was very unpopular, so when someone claimed to
have seen him and Lucy ‘acting improperly’ together on the Common, the people
of Torrington seized the opportunity to be rid of him.’
The ensuing enquiry,
culminating in the burning of the effigies, was reported in no less than
fifty-two newspapers throughout Britain, and all included the name of Lucy
Jones.
‘It would have been a
terrible time for her,’ said Liz. ‘The investigation into Reverend Francis’
behaviour was reported in great detail in the local newspaper. I studied this
carefully, and although there were plentiful reasons for his unpopularity, I am
convinced that Lucy was innocent of any wrongdoing.’
Liz’s novel draws on
extensive historical research to tell the story from Lucy’s point of view. Lucy
Jones liked to walk on the Common and to take excursions by train to Bideford
and Instow, and the novel describes Torrington and the surrounding area as it
was in the 1870’s.
Reverend Francis had to
leave the town as a result of the scandal. ‘But after the burning of the
effigies,’ Liz said, ‘Lucy was afraid to leave the house. Knowing that her name
would be forever associated with the scandal, she despaired of ever being able
to marry her childhood sweetheart.’
While researching the
book, Liz particularly enjoyed walking on Torrington Common, as Lucy had done.
‘As I studied the history
of the Common, I came to understand what a powerful influence it has had on the
people of Torrington. Their grazing rights gave them an independence and a
determination to unite and organise which enabled them to get rid of Reverend
Francis, and I believe that determination still survives today.’
Torrington is famous for
its Mayfair, and for the hugely successful bonfires organised by the Torrington
Cavaliers which raise a lot of money for local charities, and take place on the
same spot as the burning of the effigies in 1879.
Liz Shakespeare has been
writing for more than thirty years, this is her seventh book. All her books are
set in North Devon and are based on true stories.
The Ordeal of Miss
Lucy Jones will be launched at The Plough Arts Centre in Torrington at 2pm
on Thursday 25th April. Booking is essential, tickets are £6 to
include tea and cake. Liz will give a talk on the background and writing of the
novel, and there will be the opportunity to buy signed copies.
Liz will also be speaking
at Parracombe Arts and Literary Festival on May 6th, Bude Literary
Festival on May 17th, RHS Rosemoor on May 18th, and
Torrington Library on June 13th.
After 25th
April, The Ordeal of Miss Lucy Jones can be purchased
from local outlets, or ordered post-free from www.lizshakespeare.co.uk.
Letterbox Books - 336 pages Publication date 25/4/2024
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For further details or to purchase the book
Contact: Liz Shakespeare
