The Real History Behind Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale

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The final chapter of Downton Abbey unfolds in cinemas on September 12th, wrapping up a cherished series that has captured hearts since 2010. Over the course of six TV seasons and three movies, fans have journeyed alongside the esteemed Grantham family, led by Earl Robert Crawley (Hugh Bonneville), and their dedicated staff.

In the film, Downton Abbey is stepping into a fresh chapter, as Robert hands over the leadership of the estate to two robust young ladies: his daughter Mary (Michelle Dockery) assumes charge of the daily operations, and long-standing employee Daisy Parker (Sophie McShera) takes control of the kitchen. Robert and his wife Cora (Elizabeth McGovern) move into the smaller Dower house, where Robert’s mother Violet (Maggie Smith), the senior member of the Crawley family, used to reside before her passing in 2024. At the end of the movie, a tribute to Maggie Smith is displayed on screen.

Mary faces quite a few difficulties ahead. She’s currently going through a divorce, which has strained her relationships with her family and friends. Additionally, maintaining the grandeur of country estates like Downton Abbey has become financially burdensome. The Crawleys may not have to start cooking their own meals anytime soon, but they lose a significant source of support when they learn that Cora’s brother Harold Levinson has invested their matriarch’s fortune with a questionable financial advisor who has nearly depleted the funds-this predicament is compounded by the stock market crash of 1929. In spite of these hardships, the Crawleys are fortunate enough to entertain celebrated playwright Noël Coward (Arty Froushan), whose visit serves as a welcome morale booster during Downton’s low spirits.

The movie is set in the year 1930, and here’s a brief overview of key aspects about that era in England, focusing on the main historical themes depicted in the film such as societal views on divorce, the condition of grand estates similar to Downton Abbey, and Coward’s notable accomplishments.

How common was divorce in 1930?

The town’s chatter and all the newspapers are abuzz with the divorce between Mary and Henry Talbot. However, it’s unclear in the movie whether Mary is initiating the divorce or her husband is, but either way, she becomes an unwelcome figure. The scandal is so intense that at a London ball, she is asked to leave in haste because a princess is present, and royal protocol forbids a divorced woman from being in the same room as a princess. As the photographers swarm, Mary exits with a sarcastic promise to find a taxi willing to transport a divorced woman.

In the 1920s and 1930s, as well as following major conflicts such as the American Civil War, World War I, and World War II, divorce rates noticeably increased due to infidelity among spouses while their partners were away fighting.

Or simply:

Divorce rates went up significantly during the 1920s and 30s, and also after wars like the Civil War, World Wars I and II, because of unfaithfulness between partners when husbands were serving in the military.

Divorce as we know it today became legal in England for the first time in 1857. Prior to this, couples had to obtain an act of Parliament to end their marriage, making divorces quite uncommon. Men could divorce their wives if they were found committing adultery, but women could only do so if their husbands were guilty of adultery, cruelty, bigamy, or incest. By 1923, a wife was allowed to divorce her husband solely for the reason of adultery, although this didn’t mean she was automatically free from any complications.

Historically, a husband’s infidelity was often attributed partially to the wife, suggesting she may have acted or not acted in ways that led her partner to seek affection elsewhere. This perspective implies that perhaps she wasn’t meeting his needs sexually, or there were issues within their relationship causing him to stray.” – Roderick Phillips, professor of History and an expert on the history of divorce at Carleton University (paraphrased).

Gus Sambrook (played by Alessandro Nivola), a friend of Harold’s and the financial advisor who had lost Cora’s mother’s fortune, encourages Mary to return with him to America, suggesting that divorce is less complicated there. However, Phillips clarifies that while it is true that America has a longer history of divorce compared to some other countries, the ease of obtaining a divorce varies across states. In certain regions like the Midwest and West, divorce may be less difficult than in New York or the South.

Who is Noël Coward?

As a passionate film enthusiast, I find myself immersed in the captivating world of cinema as the Crawleys gracefully step into a London theater, eagerly anticipating Noël Coward’s masterpiece, “Bitter Sweet.” In a wave of enchantment, my heart swells with pride as our dear Edith (Laura Carmichael) exclaims, “We’re part of the era of Noël Coward!

At thirty years old, Noël Coward, a genuine individual, was a renowned figure in his profession, even more famous than the British Prime Minister, as stated by Oliver Soden, author of “Masquerade: The Lives of Noël Coward.” He could be considered one of the earliest megastar playwrights. Known for his plays that candidly addressed bisexuality and homosexuality, Coward was a trailblazer during an era when the open sexuality of the Roaring Twenties was beginning to wane due to the approaching Great Depression.

People who had previously turned down invitations to dine with the Crawleys due to Mary’s shocking divorce find themselves available once they learn that Coward is visiting Downton. Known for his sharp humor, as demonstrated in the film where he quipped about making a perfect martini by “gently gesturing towards a glass of gin in Italy’s general direction,” this renowned playwright was praised by TIME in 1969 for his unique blend of charm and sophistication, characterized by a mix of audacity and elegance, humor and grace.

In the film, Coward sings “Poor Little Rich Girl,” and wins favor with the household staff below stairs. This isn’t shocking, according to Soden, since he’d likely identify more with them given his impoverished background. Moreover, there’s a scene in the movie where he expresses a preference for simple foods like sausages and mashed potatoes over the gourmet dishes enjoyed by the upper-class dining “above.

In the movie, Coward draws inspiration to pen the divorce-themed play “Private Lives” from Mary’s life story. However, it is important to note that in real life, Coward was not inspired by a woman like Mary, but rather the play revolves around a divorce. The plot unfolds as a divorced couple serendipitously encounter each other while on their honeymoons with new spouses, and they rekindle their old romance.

In simpler terms, Soden contends that Phoebe Waller-Bridge, the creator of Fleabag, is often compared to Noël Coward due to her exceptional ability to portray privileged young women grappling with self-discovery and purpose in her work.

Why are country estates like Downton in trouble?

It’s been a long time in the making, but at last, Robert relinquishes command of Downton to his daughter Mary and initiates the reduction process. There’s an amusing scene where Robert ponders the idea of moving from a house in London to a flat, yet he struggles to grasp the idea of apartment buildings, referring to them as a “tower of strangers stacked like layers.”

After much anticipation, Robert ultimately passes the reins of Downton to his daughter Mary and sets the ball rolling for downsizing. A humorous instance unfolds when Robert deliberates over moving from a London residence to an apartment, but he finds it hard to wrap his mind around the concept of multi-story buildings, calling them a “tower of unfamiliar faces stacked vertically.

In those days, transferring ownership of such a vast estate to a divorced woman would have been quite unexpected, but it reflected Downton’s transition into a more modern era. As Mary expresses in the film, “For families like ours to endure, we must adapt. The traditional system can’t afford to be sentimental.

As a movie enthusiast, I often ponder why preserving grand estates like Downton Abbey was such a challenge during the 1930s. In essence, it all boiled down to one significant factor – heavy taxation. The Great Depression served as a catalyst for an ideological battle. To put it simply, people were questioning how someone could reside in a grand estate with numerous servants while others were struggling to find food. Adrian Tinniswood, the author of The Long Weekend: Life in the English Country House Between the Wars, eloquently explained this sentiment, stating, “It was people asking, ‘How can someone live in Downton Abbey with 30 servants when there’s people starving on the streets?’

Many wealthy estates that once belonged to heirs from World War I were acquired by a newly affluent group after the war, leading to many properties being sold and new ones constructed on their sites. Some of these buildings have been transformed into private schools or boarding institutions, and some even welcome visitors to explore their history.

According to Tinniswood, one attractive aspect of the country house is its apparent disappearance. This romanticized image arises from the sense that it symbolizes a vanishing way of life, thereby initiating a budding tourist industry. As early as the 1920s and 1930s, you can observe country houses being opened to the public for visitors.

To illustrate: Highclere Castle, which served as the setting for Downton Abbey, welcomes tourists. For those eager to reexperience the charm of this series, a trip overseas is necessary.

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2025-09-12 20:06