Join local historian Martin Caddick for a fascinating talk about the Austen family and their rich relations, the Knights. The story follows Jane’s older brother Edward, and examines details of his inheritance of the Knight family fortunes – without which Jane, Cassandra and their mother would never have moved to Chawton.

This is a popular topic for visitors to Jane Austen House. Many have heard the story of how Jane Austen’s brother Edward was adopted by the Knights – rich relations who met him on their honeymoon. But this is a story that raises as many questions as it answers. Did the Knights know they would have no children?  Why did they choose Edward to be their heir? How did the Austen family feel about his adoption?  How rich were the Knights, really?  Why didn’t Edward act sooner to help his own mother and sisters after his father died? And was he not a little like John Dashwood in Sense and Sensibility? There are quite a few common misconceptions surrounding the story that even scholars fall into.

Martin Caddick has been digging deeply into this subject for many years, and has undertaken new research into the Knight family bank accounts that cast some new light onto matters and provide us with some of the answers. Martin is the House Historian at Chawton House and the author of a number of articles and booklets relating to Jane Austen and the Knight family.

Details:
Date: Monday 15 September
Time: 11am – 12pm
Location: This event is at Jane Austen’s House in Chawton. Find us
Tickets: Free with House admission – book general admission here – please make sure you select 15 September!

🎫 No event ticket required, this event is free with House entry.

❗ Please select the correct date and time slot when booking your general admission ticket to enjoy this event.

 This event is part of our Persuasion Festival, running from 12 – 21 September 2025