Lady Letitia Lade

Hello sweethearts,

It’s me again! And I’m here with a story about a rather scandalous lady, that left her mark on the era we all love!

I’m talking about Lady Letitia Lade. 

Her origins are somewhat unknown, but we do know that she probably came from a poor family, since she was employed in a rather shady part of London.

And that’s where she met her first love, John Rann. He was a notorious highwayman, and Letitia was not immune to his “bad boy” charm. But, this story does not have a happy ending, as John was caught and executed in 1774.

Letitia soon recovered from this loss, as she had her sights on another man before long. And this time, it was a rich aristocrat: the Duke of York. Climbing the social ladder fast, are we Letitia?

Thomas Lawrence, Public Domain

But being the smart woman she was, she knew that a man like him would soon tire of her, so she took advantage of his status while setting a different goal. A goal named Sir John Lade, a baron and a friend of the Duke’s. How scandalous!

John Lade was one the best horsemen of his time, and he fell in love with her own horse riding skills. A woman of many talents!This affair lasted quite a long time, until John finally proposed. A fondness for horses was not the only thing they had in common. They also both loved spending a lot of money…A LOT of money. So, they were facing financial trouble more often than not.

Mezzotint by Frederick Bromley, published by Henry Colburn and Co., London, undated.Public Domain

Letitia’s cursing was said to be so shocking to some, that it even became a catchphrase…used by the Prince! Whenever the Prince wanted to describe the manner in which some of his friends spoke, he would say “he swears like Letty Lade!”.Letitia Lade even entered the Newmarket Races one year to show off her skill in the saddle. And not only that, but she bet on herself! You can imagine the shock…

George Stubbs, 1973Public Domain

Letitia lived a happy life, the way she wanted it. She died in 1825, followed by her husband a few years later and no one can claim that this woman didn’t live her life to the fullest!That’s all for now, my loves!What did you think of this story? Do you know of any other women like this? Let me know!

Written byHanna Hamilton!