st. michael and all angels church

Map

St Michael and All Angels Church in Hamstall Ridware, Staffordshire, was the living of Jane Austen's cousin, Edward Cooper between 1799 and 1833.

He lived in the rectory with his wife, Caroline, and their 8 children. 

Edward had been a regular guest at Steventon rectory in his childhood and grew up alongside the Austen children. His family was an unlucky one, as before he was 30 years old, both of his parents, his only sister and two of his children had died.

Edward was always generous in inviting his family to stay, but as it was many miles north of Bath and Steventon, the invitations were often declined. Some historians suggest that Mr Collins from Pride and Prejudice may have been modelled on him.

In August 1806, coming straight from their stay at Stoneleigh Abbey, Mrs Austen, Cassandra and Jane finally went and stayed with him for five weeks, following on from James Austen who had visited a few weeks earlier.

The timing of this visit was rather unfortunate as all of the Cooper children contracted whooping cough whilst they were there, passing it on to Jane.

A marble statue stands inside the church in the transept where Edward Cooper and his wife are buried and many of their children are buried in the churchyard family plot.

Some scholars of Jane Austen's works suggest that this visit to Hamstall Ridware inspired the setting of Delaford (Colonel Brandon's estate) in Sense and Sensibility.

Brenda S. Cox has made reference to this in her excellent article about St. Michael and All Angels Church on the Jane Austen's World blog here.

EXtrACT

If you would like to read an extract from The Austens of Bath where events take place in Hamstall Ridware, click here.