Scandals: The Victorians | 1. The mother of all sex scandals

Professor Rosalind Crone and Ellie Cawthorne share the story of one of the 19th century’s most salacious divorce cases

Published: January 7, 2025 at 7:00 AM

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Divorce cases can be messy. But the epic court battle between Caroline and George Norton in 1836 took things to the next level, with salacious accusations of adultery with none other than the prime minister. In this first series of History’s Greatest Scandals, Professor Rosalind Crone and Ellie Cawthorne uncover some of the most infamous episodes of the Victorian age. This opening episode delves into the story of one of British history’s most bitter divorce cases, exploring what it can reveal about attitudes to child custody and women’s rights within marriage.

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Authors

Ellie CawthorneHead of content (audio)

Ellie Cawthorne is head of content (audio) at HistoryExtra

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