The Duchess of Drury Lane

Growing up in a poverty-stricken, fatherless household, Dorothy Jordan overcame her humble beginnings to become the most famous comic actress of her day. Beginning her career on the Dublin stage, she moved on to the playhouses of Leeds and York before achieving fame performing at Sheridan's famous theatre on Drury Lane. It was there that Dorothy caught the eye of the Duke of Clarence, later to become King William IV. Her 20-year relationship with the Duke was one of great happiness and domesticity, producing ten children. But ultimately Dorothy's generous nature was her undoing, and she was to be cruelly betrayed by the man she loved.