1761 - 1813

 

Eliza de Feuillide is often described as Jane's outlandish and flirtatious cousin, but was she really? Born Eliza Hancock in 1761, she was daughter to Rev George Austen's sister Philadelphia.  
 

Philadelphia moved to India in 1752, where Eliza was born, with her dowry in search of a husband and married Tysoe Saul Hancock. The couple remained childless and it was rumoured that Eliza was actually the natural child of her godfather Warren Hastings, who gave her a £10,000 trust. He later became Governor General of India.

In 1768, Eliza and her mother returned to England, leaving Tysoe in India to finance them. It's not clear what prompted this move away from her husband and provider. After Tysoe's death in 1775, Eliza and her mother moved to Paris where living expenses were at the time significantly cheaper. They were very fortunate though and attended Royal events during this time rubbing shoulders with Marie Antoinette and other legendary figures.

At the age of 20, Eliza married Jean-François Capot de Feuillide, who later became a French Count making Eliza Comtesse de Feuillide. It is by her married name that she is most well known to Janites, perhaps because of it's uniqueness that lends to the picture of her character.
 

Eliza visited the Austen's at Steventon in 1786 when Jane was just 11, with her mother and her newborn son Hastings (presumably named in honour of her godfather). She actually gave birth to Hastings en route to the Austen's in Calais! It is thought that Eliza helped Jane to become more comfortable and confident around strangers. Despite being 10 years her junior, Eliza is said to have become close with Henry Austen and flirted constantly with him.

Eliza returned permanently to England with her mother and son Hastings in 1790 following the outbreak of the French Revolution. Sadly Eliza's husband remained behind and was arrested and guillotined in 1794.

 

Jane and Eliza were close and they wrote often. Jane dedicated her Juvenilia work Love and Freindship to Eliza, and wrote Henry and Eliza. This was thought to be a representation of Henry Austen and Eliza but was written before they were married in 1797. The couple had no children together. It is generally assumed that Eliza was the one who convinced Henry to go into banking, dissuading him from following in his father's footsteps. Similarities can be seen to Mary Crawford here and it is thought by some that Jane took her inspiration for Mary from Eliza. Some also believe Eliza provided inspiration for Lady Susan.

Eliza was well educated, intelligent and witty, much like Jane, and they both took great delight in observing others and the world around them. As Eliza had seen much of the world, she was no doubt able to pass on her wisdom and observations to Jane. She was close with Cassandra also but confessed a partiality to Jane.

There are surviving letters to her cousin Phylly Walter but many historians are unclear on how to interpret Eliza's character. She can at times seem self-centred and self-assured but this could just be down to her privileged lifestyle. She does show a very caring nature though and a good sense of humour and optimism.  

Jane remained close to Eliza and visited her and Henry in London. Eliza suffered from a long illness and Jane assisted with nursing on her visits. Jane was present at Eliza's beside when she died in 1813.