History Extra podcast A house of one’s own: Jane Austen’s ‘golden years’
Dec 28, 2025
Join historian Dr. Lizzie Rogers, a specialist in Jane Austen’s life, as she delves into the prolific Chawton years of the beloved author. Discover how Chawton Cottage provided a stable and creative home for Austen, leading to the publication of renowned works like Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice. Explore her close relationship with sister Cassandra and the intriguing dynamics of her literary career, including her sarcastic dedication to the Prince Regent, revealing both her wit and disdain for societal norms.
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Chawton Provided Domestic Stability
- Chawton Cottage was a comfortable, modest house turned into a stable home for Jane Austen and her household.
- The move back to Hampshire gave Austen the domestic stability she craved and inspired renewed creativity.
A Household Of Women Shaped Daily Life
- Jane lived in a household dominated by women including Cassandra, their mother, and Martha Lloyd.
- Martha's recipe book reveals domestic details like ink recipes, giving insight into daily life and Jane's writing routine.
Early Commercial Success Brought Independence
- Sense and Sensibility sold out its first edition by summer 1813 and earned Austen roughly £140.
- That sum afforded her real comfort and pride because it was independent income in a precarious age for women.