Catherine Davies (governess)
Catherine Davies | |
---|---|
Born | 1773 |
Died | after 1841 Wales |
Nationality | Welsh |
Occupation | governess |
Employer | Caroline Bonaparte |
Known for | her autobiography of her time as governess to the children of the King and Queen of Naples. |
Catherine Davies (1773 – after 1841), was a Welsh governess and autobiographer. She served as governess to the children of the King and Queen of Naples, Joachim Murat and Caroline Bonaparte. Davies later sold her story in a book in 1841.
Life
Davies was born in Beaumaris, Wales, in 1773.[1] The family was poor, and she was brought up by a foster family in
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7b/Murat_family_by_Gerard.jpg/220px-Murat_family_by_Gerard.jpg)
Paris
Catherine Davies was employed by
Naples
In 1808, Caroline and her spouse were appointed to be the Queen and King of Naples, and Davies continued in their employ; first engaged to look after their son,
Davies was employed in Naples under the Head Governess, who was the Duchess de Rochino, assisted by the second governess, Countess Picherno, a niece of Lord Byron, and Madame Finier. Davies did not speak Italian but could converse in French, and the household also provided for her to have a companion, a Mrs Pulsford.[2] Davies was well liked by Caroline, and during her later years of employ, the queen offered her the position of
During the Hundred Days of 1815, queen Caroline had her children and their tutors, including Davies, evacuated to Gaeta with her mother, should Naples be invaded. They left in such a haste that Davies was forced to leave behind most of the valuables she had accumulated during her stay in Naples. The party remained in place remained during the bombardment of Gaeta, during which she were obliged to seek shelter in a cave under the fortress. The damp conditions in the cave permanently damaged Davies' health. When the Kingdom of Naples was captured by the allies, queen Caroline was exiled and transported to Austrian custody in Trieste. On the way, the British fleet escorting Caroline went by way of Gaeta and picked up the party there. In Trieste, the British captain Campbell offered to escort Davies and Pulsford to England, but Caroline stated that she wished to keep them in her employ. When Caroline was ordered to leave for Vienna, however, Davies was unable to accompany them due to her health still being damaged by the period in Gaeta. Catherine Davies instead returned to Naples to visit the health spring in Ischia on doctor's orders. This did not improve her health, and she returned to England in 1816.[2]
Later life
Catherine Davies had returned to settle in Wales in 1818. Her health condition apparently never improved, and she seem to have been supported by wealthy benefactors, such as Lord and Lady Bulkeley. Her knowledge of the Princess of Wales meant that when Queen Caroline was put on trial in 1820 for adultery, Davies was scheduled to appear in court. Davies was never called to give evidence.[1] She did, however, recount her knowledge to a lawyer, who wrote it down.
In 1841 Davies published her book Eleven Years' Residence in the Family of Murat, King of Naples was published with a foreword by Achille Murat.[2] The book was published expressively to benefit her economy, as she was poor by the time of its publication. Her life after this event is unknown, but she is presumed to have died shortly after 1841.[1]
References
- ^ a b c William Roberts, ‘Davies, Catherine (b. 1773, d. in or after 1841)’, rev. J. Gilliland, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 accessed 16 Dec 2014
- ^ a b c d Davies, Catherine (1841). Eleven years' residence in the family of Murat, king of Naples.
- ISBN 978-1408832547.
- ^ Davies, Catherine (1841). Eleven Years' Residence in the Family of Murat, King of Naples. pp. 30–31.
- ISBN 9781783163953.