Series 1: Episode Seven
The Real Diaries of Anne Lister
Gentleman Jack is based on the real diaries of Anne Lister, who sometimes wrote in code to disguise her innermost thoughts.
Here we have selected extracts from the diary and explain how they feature in the episode.
In Anne's Diary: 28th June 1833
Anne writes...
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Mariana entered on the subject of our break off, altogether excusing herself. Not done from caprice but from a fear of our not suiting. She saw my aunt thought she had behaved ill. Yes, said I, but my aunt only echoes my own sentiments…
Mariana enlarged on all she used to suffer at the oddity of my appearance. My being so like a man then entered into and defended the Blackstone Edge business. It was overhearing one of the post boys say I was a man in petticoats that set her wrong. I don’t remember ever hearing this before.
I said not much, but how astounded I had been to find myself second to William Lawton. Tis now quite evident how much she wants to bring all on again but, though I am very kind, I always avoid this.
Anne and Mariana
Anne had a complicated relationship with Mariana Lawton. Meeting as young women in York, they began a passionate and intense affair endured for many years.
Anne was crushed by Mariana’s marriage to Charles Lawton in 1817 and – while the two women maintained an on/off sexual relationship after it – she cited the wedding as the reason behind her decision to always wear black.
In Episode 7, we see Anne and Mariana drawn back into the destructive cycle of their old relationship. In this diary extract, Anne reflects on the reasons Mariana felt unable to commit to her all those years ago: her singularly masculine appearance among them.
Learn more
Anne Lister’s diaries – along with other items that belonged to her – are kept at the Calderdale Archives in Halifax.
Visit their website to find out more, and practice your mastery of Anne’s code on high-resolution digitised scans of every page.
