Mitford family

The Mitford family was an aristocratic British family that gained immense fame during the 1930s.

They became a subject of intense public interest due to the six Mitford sisters. These women were celebrated for their style and often considered scandalous. More importantly, they were known for their extreme and conflicting political views. The sisters represented a wide spectrum of ideology, ranging from communism to fascism. This public division made them a symbol of the political tensions of the era.

The family's origins trace back to the Norman Conquest in Northumberland.

In the Middle Ages, they acted as border reivers in the Redesdale area. The main family line held seats at Mitford Castle and Mitford Old Manor House. They eventually built Mitford Hall in 1828. A junior line of the family was also elevated to the British peerage. This branch held the title of Baron Redesdale in 1802 and 1902. The sisters belonged to this branch, which lived at various estates including Batsford Park and Swinbrook.

The siblings grew up in a very specific social environment. They were the children of David Freeman-Mitford, the 2nd Baron Redesdale, and Sydney Bowles. They lived in large, aristocratic country houses with many servants. Their parents were often described as emotionally distant. The girls received little formal education, as was common for women of their class. They were expected to marry prosperous husbands at a young age. To cope with their upbringing, the siblings developed a private language called "Boudledidge." They also used various nicknames for one another.

The six sisters and their brother, Tom, followed very different paths. Nancy Mitford became a famous novelist and biographer. She wrote semi-autobiographical works like *The Pursuit of Love*. Pamela Mitford was known as a poultry connoisseur and lived a more private life. Thomas "Tom" Mitford was the only son and died in action during the Burma campaign in 1945. Diana Mitford married Oswald Mosley, a leader of the British Union of Fascists. She and Mosley were interned in Holloway Prison from 1940 to 1943. Unity Mitford was also a fascist who held a public friendship with Adolf Hitler. She suffered permanent brain damage after a suicide attempt in 1939. Jessica Mitford was a communist who moved to the United States. She wrote the best-selling book *The American Way of Death*. Deborah Mitford married the 11th Duke of Devonshire. She helped manage Chatsworth House, making it a successful stately home.

The political rift within the family became severe during the Second World War. The parents, known as "Farve" and "Muv," also held conflicting views. Their father remained a conservative who initially favored the policy of appeasement. Their mother maintained fascist sympathies and supported her fascist children. This conflict led to the parents separating in 1943. The sisters' views caused deep personal estrangement. For example, Jessica and Diana did not speak for many years. They only communicated in 1973 when Nancy was on her deathbed.

The Mitford sisters left a lasting legacy through their prolific writing. They were constant letter-writers, and a large body of their correspondence still exists today. This collection of letters provides a detailed look at their lives and thoughts. Nancy's novels were even adapted into television series by the BBC and Thames Television. Their lives have also inspired various works of art, including a 1981 musical titled *The Mitford Girls*. Some authors have even used the sisters as inspiration for fictional characters in novels. Their story remains a significant example of how global politics can impact a single family.

The Mitford story connects to broader themes in 20th-century history. Their lives illustrate the rise of extreme political ideologies like fascism and communism. They show how these movements divided even the closest of family units. The sisters' experiences reflect the social expectations of the British upper class. Their transition from aristocratic privilege to political activism is also notable. Jessica's move to America and her work in the American Communist Party highlights these shifting social landscapes. The family remains a key subject for those studying the social and political history of Britain.