IN 2019, OUR FOUNDER CAROLINE JANE KNIGHT (JANE AUSTEN’S FIFTH GREAT NIECE) AND HER FAMILY HOSTED A REGENCY DINNER AT THEIR ANCESTRAL HOME IN CHAWTON, HAMPSHIRE, WHERE JANE AUSTEN HERSELF LIVED AND WROTE.
Guests came from around the world for this once in a lifetime opportunity to dine like Jane Austen at Chawton House and enjoy a menu that Jane herself would have recognised. Here, Caroline shares some memories and photographs from this unique event.
'As a girl growing up at Chawton House, I loved cooking with Granny (Elizabeth Knight) and my mother Carol. Entertaining was one of our greatest pleasures. We loved to dine at Chawton House, as Jane had done when she lived in Chawton.
“We four sweet Brothers & Sisters dine today at the Gt House. Is not that quite natural?”
Chawton House, known to Jane Austen as ‘The Great House’. Photo © J.B. Grantham
In 1988, my family and I had to say goodbye to Chawton House. The last party we hosted before we left was my 18th birthday dinner in the Great Hall, in August of that year.
Caroline’s 18th birthday in the Great Hall at Chawton House, August 1988 Photo © Caroline Jane Knight
Thirty years later, in June 2018, I spoke publicly for the first time about my childhood living at Chawton, recalling my fondest memories. I spoke about helping prepare for dinner parties, of sitting at Edward Austen Knight’s dining table and eating from Edward’s Wedgwood china, just as Jane had done when she lived in Chawton.
It was then I realised I could revive such fond memories and bring those who love my ancestor, Jane Austen, that little bit closer to her through our family spirit and traditions, our home and our family recipes. I would create a Regency menu of dishes that Jane herself would have eaten and enjoyed, inspired by food mentioned in her novels and letters and using flavours and recipes from my family’s 18th century cookbook.
The Knight Family Cookbook. Photo © Caroline Jane Knight
It took six months to develop the menu in full, plan the food preparation with our chef for the evening, Michelin accredited David Alders, and source the specialist ingredients required. I had a lot of fun naming the dishes and planning the table layout.
© Caroline Jane Knight
© Caroline Jane Knight
On Friday 21st June 2019, my parents, Jeremy and Carol Knight, my brother, Paul Edward Knight, and I welcomed guests from as far afield as Australia, the USA, and Israel. We dressed in period attire for a unique evening of Regency, Jane Austen and the Knight family traditions, and played our favourite family parlour game – creating new memories and allowing the traditions and recipes of our family to be shared and enjoyed once more. All the proceeds from the evening were donated to the Jane Austen Literacy Foundation and Chawton House.
During a champagne reception in the Great Hall, I shared a brief history of my family and Chawton House and talked about Regency food, dining etiquette and what to expect. We didn’t adhere to every rule in case we spoiled a relaxed evening!
The Champaign Reception © Caroline Jane Knight
The Champagne Reception © Caroline Jane Knight
The First Course © Caroline Jane Knight
Seated at Edward Austen’s Dining Table © Caroline Jane Knight
After the second course, we enjoyed traditional Madeira and Port and my brother Paul hosted a raucous and hilarious game of Rumble, my family’s favourite after-dinner parlour game. Before long we were in fits of laughter – not at all in keeping with the proper etiquette expected of ladies in the Regency era! But, the formalities of the evening were over, and we were at home, among friends.
“Ah! There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort”
Our guests were given a Dine Like Jane Austen commemorative book to remember our very special evening and on the anniversary of the dinner, my family and I were joined by our Dine Like Jane Austen guests for an hour of reminiscing, fun and laughter on Zoom, livestreamed on Facebook
To see a video of the commemorative book click here
I have donated a copy of the Dine Like Jane Austen commemorative book, a copy of The Knight Family Cookbook, and a signed hardback copy of my memoir, Jane & Me: My Austen Heritage, for a raffle to raise money for the Jane Austen Literacy Foundation. Raffle ticket sales close on Saturday 4th July. Details and tickets below.
Good Luck!
Caroline Jane Knight - Founder & Chair, Jane Austen Literacy Foundation
RAFFLE
FIRST Prize:
- A ‘money can’t buy’ Dine Like Jane Austen commemorative book of Jane Austen's family hosting a Regency dinner at Chawton House
- A signed hardback copy of Jane & Me: My Austen Heritage by Caroline Jane Knight (Jane Austen's fifth great niece)
- The Knight Family Cookbook - the family’s 18th century cookbook, with recipes Jane herself would have eaten
SECOND Prize:
- A signed hardback copy of Jane & Me: My Austen Heritage by Caroline Jane Knight.
Raffle ticket sales close at midnight on Saturday 4th July (UK time). Winners will be drawn on Sunday 5th July, informed by email and announced on social media.
Image credit: Caroline Jane Knight