Nelson & His World

How odd!!

The London Gazette in 1806 refers to Emma as Dame Emma Hamilton.

You would expect the London Gazette of all people to be correct on etiquette.

And yet I can't recall seeing that title used anywhere else.

As regards the title Dame, Wikipedia says:

"The wife of a knight was given the title of Dame before her name, but this usage was replaced by "Lady" during the 17th century."

Perhaps someone at the LG was having a bad day, or . . . . . ?

Any thoughts?

MB

Mark:

Emma was a Dame ('dame petit croix')of the Order of Malta, a title she held in her own right, as opposed to her title 'Lady Hamilton' which she acquired by marriage.

Some years ago, the Nelson Dispatch printed a copy of her arms which she was granted in her own right on her appointment to the order. Owing to copyright, I can't post the image here.

Here is a link to a Sotheby's sale of a document in which Emma is referred to as 'Dame Emma Hamilton'. Since it is a legal document strict accuracy about the use of titles would be required.

http://www.sothebys.com/app/live/lot/Lo ... =159568059

So the London Gazette was being ultra correct!

Digression. I'm just reading Henry Hitchens' 'Secret Life of Words' in which he explains that 'the word 'gazette' is from the Italian 'gazzetta' - 'little magpie': the sixteenth century Venetian news sheets were eclectic collections of information for an audience of chatterers.

Crikey - I never thought of that!

So the Maltese title took precedence over her British title? Obviously it must have. Supposedly because it was awarded in her own right as opposed to through her husband!

So does that mean that every article/ book etc. that refers to her as Lady Hamilton is wrong?

Apologies if I am rambling here - it's a bit late in the day!

MB

No - thinking about it I suppose that Dame Emma Hamilton and Lady Hamilton could both be correct depending on the context in which they were used.

Just comparing it to Baroness Thatcher and Lady Thatcher which were both correct.

MB

It would be interesting to know the exact etiquette when a woman has two titles - one conferred on her, and one acquired by marriage. I imagine, that, strictly speaking, the conferred title would take precedence on formal occasions, whereas the acquired one would be used less formally.

Interestingly enough, Lady Berry, the wife of Sir Edward Berry, is referred to on his memorial plaque in Walcot Church, Bath, as 'Dame Louisa Berry'. Did she too, have a title in her own right? Over to you (and the ferrets!), Mark.