A History of Private Life - Domestic Violence

Historian Amanda Vickery presents a series which reveals the hidden history of home over 400 years. She draws on first-hand accounts from letters and diaries, many of which have never been heard before. Including songs which have been specially recorded for the series. Visitors - and new codes of politeness. As visiting begins in the 18th century, so the home is opened up for inspection. The dark side of private life, and how home became a trap. The moving diary of Ellen Weeton, who was duped into marriage with a man who abused her, keeping her locked up in a back room and forbidding her access to their daughter. What were her options for escape? Readers: Deborah Findlay, John Sessions, Madeleine Brolly and Simon Tcherniak. Singers: Gwyneth Herbert and Thomas Guthrie, with David Owen Norris at the keyboard. A Loftus production for BBC Radio 4.