No investment strategy can guarantee a profit or protect against loss in a period of declining values. Investing involves risk, including the loss of principal. It is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon for, accounting, legal, tax or investment advice. This material has been prepared for informational and educational purposes only. We are an independent financial services firm helping individuals create retirement strategies using a variety of investment and insurance products to custom suit their needs and objectives. It's impossible to find conclusive proof whether the relationship between Eleanor Butler and Sarah Ponsonby was sexual or not, but there's abundant evidence that it was loving.Licensed Insurance Professional. Some of the relationships reflected in correspondence were no doubt sexual, others may simply have reflected the conventions of friendship. Female friends frequently wrote to one another using passionate, romantic language that can suggest a sexual relationship to modern readers. Women often spent a great deal of time in each other's company and developed strong, intense relationships. Romantic female friendshipsĪlthough the Ladies of Llangollen's fame was extraordinary, romantic female friendships were common in 18th-century Europe. Unusually, Eleanor wears the order of Saint Louis, an order of chivalry founded by the French king awarded to exceptional officers. Most visitors commented on the ladies' conservative manner of dressing. The ladies disliked having their portraits taken and this one is based on sketches made secretly by Mary Parker during a visit in 1828. This print depicts Sarah Ponsonby (left) and Eleanor Butler (right) late in life in their home at Plâs Newydd, Llangollen.

There are three examples in the British Museum's collection – reproduced here – which reflect their appearance towards the end of their lives. They received many distinguished visitors, including the Duke of Wellington and William Wordsworth, and acquired a celebrity-like status which meant that there was a popular demand for prints of them. The public were captivated by their unconventional, romantic way of life. Rain'd without interruption the entire day – from Four 'till Ten reading to my Sally – She drawing – from ten 'till Eleven Sat over the Fire Conversing with My beloved. My Beloved drawing Pembroke Castle – from one to three read to her – after dinner Went hastily around the gardens. A fire in the Library, delightfully comfortable, Breakfasted at half past Eight. Dark Morning, all the Mountains enveloped in mist. Reading – writing, and sharing a delicious day.' Eleanor Butler's diaryĮleanor Butler's voluminous diary describes a domestic idyll and offers us vivid insights into their life together. The centre of the saucers are decorated with a monogram. Their cups are decorated with a view of the house, Plâs Newydd, where they lived happily together for 50 years, on one side, and their heraldic emblems – in lozenges – on the other.

In 1778, when Sarah was 23 and Eleanor 39, the two women secretly fled together, crossing the Irish Sea to set up home in North Wales, leaving their privileged lives behind them. Both Sarah and Eleanor's families lived in Ireland and it was here that the two women formed a strong emotional bond and attachment that would endure for the rest of their lives.

Strong together north wales