Mistress Peachum's Pleasure: The Life of Lavinia, Duchess of Bolton

Lavinia Fenton was an 18th century actress, the original Polly Peachum in John Gay's celebrated play The Beggar's Opera, who became the Duchess of Bolton. Lavinia was raised as the stepdaughter of a coffee-house owner. Her mother arranged for her to be the mistress of an elderly gentleman, but Lavinia decided acting was more suitable and went on the stage instead. When The Beggar's Opera was first performed in 1728, her combination of a sweet voice and face and her worldliness made the role of Polly Peachum Lavininia's own. Soon she caught the eye of the Duke of Bolton, a married, indolent and childless aristocrat. He decided to make Lavinia his mistress. She retired from the stage and they lived together as man and wife, waiting twenty years for the Duchess to die so that they could legitimise their relationship. In the meantime, Lavinia bore the Duke three sons.