JANE Austen is set to be celebrated at Compton Verney after experts revealed they believe the 18th century house is referenced in one of her novels.
The author’s third book Mansfield Park makes mention of ‘Thornton Lacey’, a nearby parsonage.
And while previous suggestions say the building could be Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire or Castle Ashby in Northamptonshire, experts now believe Thornton Lacey is actually Compton Verney.
The Art Gallery and Park’s Director, Prof Steven Parissien said: “As a name Compton Verney is remarkably similar to Thornton Lacey, and it also lies just off the old Roman roads of the Fosse Way, which connected the Leigh’s houses of Adlestrop and Stoneleigh, and along which Jane must have travelled when visiting her relatives.”
Throughout October Compton Verney will hold a number of events commemorating the 200th anniversary of her death.
On Wednesday October 4 one of the country’s leading Austen experts will give a talk about the author’s use of comedy and her approach to writing.
And on Wednesday October 11 there will be a show featuring extracts from letters, stories and poetry called Jane Austen at Home. The performance will take place in Adam Hall from 2.30pm.
Thursday October 19 will see the Rocco Singers perform songs popular in Jane’s lifetime. The concert starts at 2.30pm in the recently restored ‘Capability’ Brown chapel.
And there will be chance to meet the likes of Mr Darcy, Elizabeth Bennet, George Knightley and Lady Susan Vernon on Sunday October 22 when they will be walking around the house and its gardens.
Visit www.comptonverney.org.uk to find out more.
