Enjoyed it first when I watched the drama. After reading up on the true history later, I was a bit disappointed to see what a far cry the movie is from historical reality.
Yes Lord Chief Justice Mansfield, Dido Elizabeth Belle as a mixed-race aristocrat, and John Davinier did exist in history. The problem is Lord Mansfield was a brave key figure in the Abolitionist Movement in his own right instead of a 'reluctant' reformer as portrayed in the movie!
The true Dido in history was not only beautiful, but also well-versed in law and politics. She acted as Lord Mansfield's legal secretary inside the Kenwood residence...
Unfortunately due to her mixed-race, she was never given the option to marry a man of equal nobility and intellect. She only married after Lord Mansfield, both her mentor and protector died. She did become Mrs. Davidier, but her husband was a French servant instead of an aspiring, abolitionist lawyer in the movie.
If Dido lived in modern days, she would have become an highly accomplished barrister or Chief Justice herself. Instead she married someone who could hardly be her intellectual equal. She became home-maker with three children and died young in her early 40s.
Yes Lord Chief Justice Mansfield, Dido Elizabeth Belle as a mixed-race aristocrat, and John Davinier did exist in history. The problem is Lord Mansfield was a brave key figure in the Abolitionist Movement in his own right instead of a 'reluctant' reformer as portrayed in the movie!
The true Dido in history was not only beautiful, but also well-versed in law and politics. She acted as Lord Mansfield's legal secretary inside the Kenwood residence...
Unfortunately due to her mixed-race, she was never given the option to marry a man of equal nobility and intellect. She only married after Lord Mansfield, both her mentor and protector died. She did become Mrs. Davidier, but her husband was a French servant instead of an aspiring, abolitionist lawyer in the movie.
If Dido lived in modern days, she would have become an highly accomplished barrister or Chief Justice herself. Instead she married someone who could hardly be her intellectual equal. She became home-maker with three children and died young in her early 40s.