Immerse yourself in Jane Austen’s world with Caroline’s

AUSTEN HERITAGE

 

Immerse yourself in Jane Austen's world

Like never before through Caroline Jane Knight's unique connection to one of the world’s most beloved authors.

 

events

Experience the wit and warmth of Caroline Jane Knight as she shares her extraordinary connection to Jane Austen.

Caroline brings to life her unique upbringing at Chawton House, offering personal anecdotes and historical insights, including rare photographs and artifacts from the Austen Knight family collection. Caroline's engaging storytelling covers the life, times, works, and enduring legacy of Jane Austen, as well as the customs of the English landed gentry.

Caroline is the perfect speaker for 2025, as the world commemorates 250 years of Jane Austen.

book

Discover the captivating memoir Jane & Me: My Austen Heritage by Caroline Jane Knight. This intimate narrative reveals Caroline's unique upbringing at Chawton House, on the family’s ancestral estate where her great-aunt, Jane Austen, crafted her timeless novels.

Experience personal stories intertwined with rich historical insights and learn about the inspiration behind the Jane Austen Literacy Foundation.

A must-read for Jane Austen enthusiasts and history lovers alike, this memoir invites you to celebrate the spirit and heritage of Jane Austen.

merchandise

On the 16th of September, 1813, Jane Austen wrote: 'We then went to Wedgwoods where my brother and Fanny chose a Dinner Set...the pattern is a small Lozenge in purple, between Lines of narrow Gold; - and it is to have the Crest.'

The dinner set Jane refers to is still cherished by Caroline’s family. Jane dined from it many times and knew the pattern intimately.

Now, you can own a piece of history. Our exclusive merchandise features the 'small lozenge in purple, between lines of narrow gold,' elegantly adapted and adorned with Jane Austen’s silhouette.


The Wedgwood Dinner Set

Jane accompanied her brother Edward (Caroline’s fourth great-grandfather) and his daughter, Fanny, to the Wedgwood showroom in London on 16th September, 1813, where they ordered a dinner service to be made, complete with the family crest.

That evening, Jane wrote to her sister Cassandra: "We then went to Wedgwoods where my brother and Fanny chose a Dinner Set...the pattern is a small Lozenge in purple, between Lines of narrow Gold; - and it is to have the Crest."

Most of the dinner set survives today. Caroline’s grandfather, Edward Knight III, gave the dinner set to Caroline’s parents as a wedding present, and it remains a treasured family heirloom with a special connection to Jane.