The Woman Behind the Brontës: Martha Brown’s Extraordinary Life

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  • Опубликовано: 3 фев 2025

Комментарии • 89

  • @CurtRowlett
    @CurtRowlett 10 дней назад +7

    It is wonderful that Martha Brown's life and legacy is still honored. She certainly had a place of endearing respect with the Brontë family.

    • @brontesistersuk
      @brontesistersuk  9 дней назад

      She must have enjoyed the work to stay with them until they had all gone. Hope she was happy. Thank you for watching.

  • @stephen5548
    @stephen5548 10 дней назад +8

    Martha was a lot more than just a run of the mill domestic. Maybe in smaller households they became more integral on an emotional level as well. My maternal grandfather was born on an estate in Lincolnshire, the son of the household carriage driver. He joined the army at the start of the Great War specifically to escape that “in service” life. Martha isn’t talked about enough. Tabby could never have remained there without Martha coming onto the scene to help. Thank you for another great topic.

    • @brontesistersuk
      @brontesistersuk  9 дней назад +1

      I do think that she was part of the family almost. Starting there so young and her family be involved with the Bronte Family must have helped. I heard a lot of men thought joining up would be a way out of service. I bet then they were in the trenches they changed their mind.

  • @tonyfournier5059
    @tonyfournier5059 10 дней назад +7

    Good morning, Kate! I want to tell you how much I enjoy your channel. I only recently discovered it, and have been catching up on the videos. I am a Bronte enthusiast ... I completed my MA with a heavy focus on the Bronte family. Your discussions are an absolute joy, like attending mini lectures once a week. I sent your snow video to a friend who is working toward her PhD in Literature. We both agree that your presentation is scholarly and accessible. Not always an easy task. How you incorporate direct quotations made the entire video a visual essay. Looking forward to many more fantastic topics. 🎉

    • @brontesistersuk
      @brontesistersuk  9 дней назад +2

      Hello. Wow, I think I've read your comment about 5 times, I can't get over that you think it is "scholarly and accessible". When I started making videos I wanted them to be the sort of thing I would watch, not too heavy but relaxing to listen to. I am not an expert and didn't want to act as if I was, so decided I would chat as if I was with my friend having a brew. You comment has made me feel great, thank you so much. xx

  • @my-mysknitsaloon
    @my-mysknitsaloon 10 дней назад +1

    Lovely Kate ! Didn't Martha said that she had a picture of the Brontë sisters ? Oh how I wish to see it. Martha sounds like she was a real trooper. Thanks for sharing .🧺🧹🪡

    • @brontesistersuk
      @brontesistersuk  9 дней назад +1

      Yes, it was Martha who said she had a photo of the Brontes. It's all a bit of a mystery to be honest, I might look into it a bit more one day. So pleased you liked the video. Thank you for watching.

  • @verynearlyinteresting
    @verynearlyinteresting 4 дня назад

    Brilliant episode, thank you 😊

  • @Sue-np9fp
    @Sue-np9fp 10 дней назад +1

    Hi Kate! Yet another fascinating glimpse into the whole of the Bronte household! It's such a contrast, (How Martha and Tabby were so much a part of the family's lives), compared to how Charlotte's experience, as a governess to the families she worked in.
    I've just finished reading an article from 1920, about Charlotte's genius; every bit as scholarly and illuminating as your presentations, Kate!
    My Friday night treat! Thank you for all your hard work! love sue xxx
    👍♥

    • @brontesistersuk
      @brontesistersuk  9 дней назад

      I am so pleased and I felt like Martha needed to be recognised for her hard work. Thank you for your kind comments, you have really made me smile. x

  • @christysmith1058
    @christysmith1058 9 дней назад

    Your video was so perceptive and touching. The Brontes certainly were lucky to have such devoted servants, and servants really seems like the wrong word for them. I can’t get over that Martha had to go to an almshouse 😟… I never knew that before and it’s so sad. On a happier note, congratulations on reaching over 2K subscribers, that’s fantastic!

  • @helendeacon7637
    @helendeacon7637 10 дней назад +1

    Martha Brown indeed made it possible for Tabby to continue serving the family. The servants really gave their all and underwent suffering alongside the Brontes. It's interesting that Martha Brown remained a loyal servant to the family well after Charlotte's death. Kate, do know how valued your channel is. I wrote my honours thesis on the Brontes years ago and I have maintained my interest in them since the 1980s when I discovered their books and became quite committed - your presentations are high quality and students, academics and ordinary readers will find much in them to appreciate. I'm thankful to have found your channel immediately after Christmas- in fact I count it a present. Thanks again.💐

    • @brontesistersuk
      @brontesistersuk  9 дней назад

      Oh my goodness, that is kind of you to say. I really wanted my video to be as if I was talking to my friend (which I class all my subscribers as) and not talking down to people. I enjoy what I am doing with my channel so much and get so excited when I have an idea that I want to look into. Thank you so much for your support and for watching, I have so many ideas for this year and I hope they continue to give you a little bit of joy on a Friday.

  • @kimbarnetson3297
    @kimbarnetson3297 10 дней назад

    I really enjoy your videos, they are well researched and look at different angles of the Brontë's lives rather than just the same stories hashed out again. Your love and respect for them really shines through and I look forward to seeing a new one pop up each Friday. Thank you

    • @brontesistersuk
      @brontesistersuk  9 дней назад +1

      Thank you, that was my aim. I could just chat about their writing but I think we need to see the family as a whole to understand their writing. There is so much to explore and I find it all so interesting. I am so pleased you are enjoying my videos and I have so many more things planned for the rest of this year so hopefully your Fridays will be exciting for a long time yet.

  • @grahamhumphreys3086
    @grahamhumphreys3086 23 часа назад

    Hello kate, wonderful video, and so interesting,

    • @brontesistersuk
      @brontesistersuk  16 часов назад

      Thank you, I’m so pleased you liked it.

  • @judithcook2372
    @judithcook2372 9 дней назад

    Thankyou that was so interesting and moving

    • @brontesistersuk
      @brontesistersuk  8 дней назад

      Thank you, I wanted to show Martha as human rather than a name connected to the famous family. I think she would have been a very interesting person to share a brew with.

  • @butterflygirlenergy
    @butterflygirlenergy 10 дней назад

    I found this video so moving. I didn't know anything about her until you shined a light on her fascinating life! She must have been so well loved in the household and no doubt an important part of the intertwining of their lives and stories. It's lovely to hear the words written in letters about her and the domestic fun they must have had! It's telling that she didn't like Arthur Bell. Hearing about her moment of kind strength at Charlotte's memorial with Ellen Nussey was very moving 🙏 Thank you for this heartwarming insight into domestic kinmanship and mutual respect at the Parsonage ❤🤗✨

    • @brontesistersuk
      @brontesistersuk  9 дней назад +1

      I didn't know too much about Martha until I started looking into her. She sounded like a really nice person and with a kind heart. To think she went with Arthur to Ireland even though she wasn't too keen on him. I'm so pleased you liked this weeks topic and enjoy watching it. x

    • @butterflygirlenergy
      @butterflygirlenergy 9 дней назад

      @brontesistersuk That must have been a very interesting trip to Ireland, for so many reasons! Another area of Charlotte's life I'd love to find out more about! At least Charlotte had her there 🙏 Anyway, hope you are having a lovely weekend 🌷🌸

    • @butterflygirlenergy
      @butterflygirlenergy 9 дней назад

      ​@@brontesistersukBtw congratulations on 2k subscribers! 🎉

    • @brontesistersuk
      @brontesistersuk  9 дней назад +1

      @@butterflygirlenergy I know, that snuck up on me. SO shocked by it but very pleased too. xx

    • @brontesistersuk
      @brontesistersuk  9 дней назад +1

      @@butterflygirlenergy I might head over to Ireland for a long Bronte Adventure but not for a bit yet. My weekend has been very chilled so far thank goodness.

  • @alisonhaggart8584
    @alisonhaggart8584 10 дней назад

    Thanks

  • @TaliaAdira
    @TaliaAdira 10 дней назад

    Hello Kate. Excellent research and contribution to the Bronte's legacy. To add my two cents to your wonderful and insightful questions. I think Martha Brown's role had a great impact on the family as a whole and in particular to the sisters that was an actual turn of good fortune as she was there not just of service but also a supportive trusted role. What a wonderful example of loyalty and what a privilege in life to find and have a Martha Brown.

    • @brontesistersuk
      @brontesistersuk  9 дней назад +1

      Your two cent is always welcome here, I love to hear what people think of the topics I cover. Thank you. To think what poor Martha saw, from Branwell's bad days to the death of Charlotte, it must have stayed with her forever.

    • @TaliaAdira
      @TaliaAdira 9 дней назад

      @ well said the trauma yet Martha’s steely poised grit and loyalty. Martha’s legacy must be explored.

  • @geoffreydutton2234
    @geoffreydutton2234 11 дней назад

    Well presented programme. Thank you!

    • @brontesistersuk
      @brontesistersuk  11 дней назад

      Thank you so much, I am so pleased you liked it.

  • @Khatoon170
    @Khatoon170 10 дней назад

    Thank you for your wonderful cultural channel about finest details of literary family Brontë sisters. I gathered main information about important person you mentioned briefly here it’s Martha brown Brontë ( 1828- 80 ) she was servant at howarth parsonage from July 1841 , aged 13 till death of revd Patrick bronte in 1866 . When she accompanied revd A. B Nicholls back to his home . Martha was not only reliable servant and maid , she also became friend of Charlotte bronte and confidant and comfort after death of branwell , Emily, Anne in rapid succession during 1848- 1849 . Martha treasured large collection of Brontë memoriabilla that she was happy to display, but reluctant to sell . On her death however, this collection was divided between her sisters, gradually dispersed. Thank you for giving us chance to read learn new information improve our English as well. Best wishes for you your dearest ones .

    • @brontesistersuk
      @brontesistersuk  9 дней назад

      I am so pleased you are enjoying the videos and I am helping with your English. Martha sounded like a lovely person, I would have loved to have sat down with her and have a cup of tea and a chat.

  • @jamiedianne6778
    @jamiedianne6778 10 дней назад

    Another beautiful video!

    • @brontesistersuk
      @brontesistersuk  9 дней назад +1

      Many thanks. I enjoyed the research into Martha.

  • @denisehill7769
    @denisehill7769 10 дней назад

    Love this, thank you! Your last comment about Martha and her influence with the Brontes got me thinking about Ellen Dean in Wuthering Heights - I'm not saying that Martha shared Ellen's less favourable characteristics, I'm sure she didn't! but Ellen described herself as being able to read and write ("as much as you can expect of a poor man's daughter") and she was brought into the household at a young age, later becoming a mainstay at Wuthering Heights and later Thrushcross Grange.

    • @brontesistersuk
      @brontesistersuk  9 дней назад +1

      I'm sure there is some of Martha in Ellen Dean after all Martha played a bit part in their lives. I struggle to think of Martha as an adult which is always strange but I think because Tabby was so much older, Martha will always be the young one. Thank you for watching and your kind comment.

    • @denisehill7769
      @denisehill7769 9 дней назад

      @@brontesistersuk I hadn't taken on board their big difference in ages until watching your video, so again, thanks for a new perspective :)

    • @brontesistersuk
      @brontesistersuk  9 дней назад +1

      @@denisehill7769 that's great my video did that. A fresh way to look at things gets the mind working.

  • @oscararnedillo-rw5cx
    @oscararnedillo-rw5cx 8 дней назад

    Hello, you said that Martha lived alone in a little cottage. Do you know something about the cottag or the área where it was? Thank you.
    Have already checked the symbolism of the trees in Wuthering Heights?

    • @brontesistersuk
      @brontesistersuk  7 дней назад

      On the top of the letter I showed in the video you can just make out Stubbing Lane, Haworth. I believe the lane has a different name now but I'm sure some googling can help (and take you down a rabbit hole). Thank you for watching.

  • @stephaniec3619
    @stephaniec3619 10 дней назад

    Thank you for your wonderful content, as always. I have a question: there was an interview with one of the Brontes servants long after they all died, do you know if it was Martha? She apparently had a photo of them.

    • @brontesistersuk
      @brontesistersuk  10 дней назад +3

      It was Martha who said she had a photo of the Brontes but there are so many questions around it that no one is completely sure of the truth. I've seen the photo but I'm not 100% sure what I think yet. Thank you so much for watching as always. Your support means a lot.

    • @stephaniec3619
      @stephaniec3619 10 дней назад

      @@brontesistersuk absolutely love this channel! I’m so thankful to you for making it!

    • @brontesistersuk
      @brontesistersuk  9 дней назад

      @@stephaniec3619 ❤❤

  • @johngreene347
    @johngreene347 10 дней назад

    Excellent video. Where is Martha buried? Thanks.....

    • @brontesistersuk
      @brontesistersuk  10 дней назад +2

      She has a gravestone with her family in the Haworth graveyard by the wall of the Parsonage (to the left if you are look at the house from the graveyard). Glad you enjoyed the video.

    • @johngreene347
      @johngreene347 10 дней назад

      @brontesistersuk The usual high standard that I expect from your work. Am watching All Cheeses Great And Small, the scenery is brilliant.

    • @carolineallen2285
      @carolineallen2285 10 дней назад +2

      @@brontesistersuk Hello Kate. Any chance of you visiting Martha's and Tabby's grave one day? No one seems to video their graves and I would love to see a video dedicated to their graves. Thank you for your videos. I enjoy them all!

    • @brontesistersuk
      @brontesistersuk  9 дней назад +1

      @@carolineallen2285 definitely, I have been and said hello to them when I was there last time and will film it next time and take you with me. Tabby's is hard to read now after years of weather damage but will do my best.

    • @brontesistersuk
      @brontesistersuk  9 дней назад

      @@johngreene347 another one of your great names changes there. The Xmas episode really does fall into the Cheesy category.

  • @SarahLouiseA
    @SarahLouiseA 10 дней назад

    Martha was fortunate to be able to read and write and although she died young at 52 this was an older age than most of the Brontes or inhabitants of Haworth reached. I think her initial dislike of Arthur was to do with him being a poor curate and they thought it was cheeky of him to pursue Charlotte once she became a famous writer although I think he must have already secretly held a candle for Charlotte for quite a while. I understand Martha eventually ended up becoming friends with Arthur and would go and stay with him after he moved back to Ireland.

    • @brontesistersuk
      @brontesistersuk  9 дней назад +1

      I like to think she got to know Arthur and liked him but I think what you said is right. She wanted the best for Charlotte and a poor curate wasn't the best in her eyes. Thank you for watching and coming along on this adventure with me.

  • @ClaireCopeland-n6y
    @ClaireCopeland-n6y 4 дня назад

    Martha was like Daisy in Dowton Abbey

  • @stevencarsley2446
    @stevencarsley2446 10 дней назад

    Interesting

  • @denisedanks6072
    @denisedanks6072 10 дней назад +1

    Such a physically hard life for these women in service. Oh the laundry! I don’t know anything about Charlotte’s husband, now I’m curious because of Martha’s dislike of him.

    • @MayKelly-i5q
      @MayKelly-i5q 10 дней назад

      If like to know more about Charlotte's husband too and wonder why Martha disliked him. Maybe she resented him coming into their household but I guess we will never know

    • @brontesistersuk
      @brontesistersuk  10 дней назад +2

      I have started to look into Arthur to see why he was disliked. I think Mrs Gaskell might have played a big part in this with her biography. The laundry was the thing that hit me too, the thought of handwashing all those bedsheets and shirts. I might go kiss my washing machine now just to say thank you.

  • @Екатерина21
    @Екатерина21 10 дней назад

    Я смогла посмотреть видео только вечером, в России с ютубом сложно.
    Было очень интересно.
    Притом, что в России в это время было крепостное право

    • @brontesistersuk
      @brontesistersuk  9 дней назад

      I'm glad you got to watch it in the end. Thank you as always for your support.

  • @LorraineWeston-t9j
    @LorraineWeston-t9j 10 дней назад

    Another very informative video♥ I heard that there was a photo of the Bronte sisters, is it true ? Is it really them ? I don't know what to think. Your'e thoughts ? I would buy you a coffee but i only do paypal direct & not on YT )once got hacked here on YT & the scum were taking taxi rides around London on me) Have a great weekend, Thanks

    • @brontesistersuk
      @brontesistersuk  10 дней назад +1

      I have seen the photo and am not sure if it is real or not. I think I would need to do my own research before I could make a decision. It would be an interesting one to do. Having you here and watching is more than enough, please don't feel you have to tip me. Thank you for being part of my little community here on RUclips. x

    • @LorraineWeston-t9j
      @LorraineWeston-t9j 10 дней назад

      @@brontesistersuk Thanks for the reply !

    • @brontesistersuk
      @brontesistersuk  9 дней назад +1

      @ thank you for taking the time to send me a lovely comment. x

  • @Artfanbookfan25
    @Artfanbookfan25 10 дней назад +1

    Whatever you do, just don't read the book _The Crimes of Charlotte Brontë_ ....💀😱

    • @brontesistersuk
      @brontesistersuk  10 дней назад +1

      Oh no, why? I haven't read it so you have made me interested.

    • @Artfanbookfan25
      @Artfanbookfan25 10 дней назад +1

      @brontesistersuk I won't spoil it, but I'll just say that the claims made in the book are ridiculous. If read as a novel about them, then I suppose it's okay, but the author (James Tully) seemed to have written it as if to be taken as fact. Martha Brown narrates the book.

    • @brontesistersuk
      @brontesistersuk  9 дней назад +1

      @@Artfanbookfan25 it's a shout-out-loud book, isn't it? Oh no, I am not good with those, I have been known to make everyone on a bus look at me for doing just that.

    • @Artfanbookfan25
      @Artfanbookfan25 9 дней назад

      @brontesistersuk It's also laughable and cringe.

  • @rosaleenpalmer9947
    @rosaleenpalmer9947 10 дней назад +1

    Really interesting. She didn’t attain a great age,did she? I think Tabby lived into her 80s?

    • @brontesistersuk
      @brontesistersuk  9 дней назад +1

      She wasn't old at all was she. It seems a shame, she worked for all those years and just when she could enjoy being a celebrity in the village she died. Thank you for watching.

  • @heatheralice89
    @heatheralice89 10 дней назад +1

    So interesting. Those clothes would have taken forever to dry!!!

    • @brontesistersuk
      @brontesistersuk  10 дней назад +1

      I know, imagine the condensation in the rooms too. No wonder they always had chest problems. Thank you for watching.

    • @user-qh8nh7oe6d
      @user-qh8nh7oe6d 10 дней назад

      Yes, imagine trying to get bed linen dry during winter with the heavy snow.. Both Martha, and Tabby were faithful to the family, Martha helping Ellen look after Charlotte after her death is so touching. Thank you very much for another great video

    • @brontesistersuk
      @brontesistersuk  9 дней назад +1

      @@user-qh8nh7oe6d When I first read Ellen's letter, I stopped and imagined the scene. Poor Ellen seeing Charlotte like that but Martha must have been so upset herself.

  • @brigittebeche4117
    @brigittebeche4117 10 дней назад

    Bearing* sorry with the two languages french and english on my tablet, it gets extremely confusing...if not...embarrassing 😅

    • @brontesistersuk
      @brontesistersuk  9 дней назад

      It will see you on your toes if nothing else.

    • @brigittebeche4117
      @brigittebeche4117 9 дней назад

      This is ONE of the reasons which urges me to take part into the exchanges😅. For sure it's not the main reason! I definitely love what you are doing with the Brontë s😊​@@brontesistersuk

  • @PeterKavanagh-s1d
    @PeterKavanagh-s1d 9 дней назад

    The slavery of a modern sense might be very hushed. A person I saw was led not followers. The coin they want but that to another counter . It's fine and not as fine when poverty a great place to be for one girl a great deal of males waiting for Thier money..hmmmtjeu all not quiet ideal for money never mind sitting patiently for work !