The Setting - locations and places mentioned in the novel

The setting for the story is Queen Victoria’s residence of Osborne House in the year 1862, and also the village of St Helens. Both are located on the Isle of Wight – a small island off the south coast of England. There are also numerous references to places in 19th-century France, namely the châteaux of Chantilly and St Leu. Here is a selection of scenes that evoke those settings, mostly as seen in the Victorian/Edwarian era.

Firstly, a selection of scenes from Sophie Dawes’s birthplace, St Helens, including the Seamark and causeway.

thumbnail image of English village from old postcard

St Helens Village Green with geese grazing

thumbnail image from old postcard, black and white village setting

St Helens High Road

thumbnail image of old boat upon misty lake, sepia tone

The Mill Lake (pond) St Helens Duver

thumbnail image of a narrow causeway with brackish water to sides

The Causeway leading to the Duver. The mill pond is on the left, the harbour to the right.

thumbnail image of old painting showing ruined church tower

St Helens Seamark c 1813

thumbnail image of old church tower painted as seamark

The Ruined church tower St Helens

Osborne House, a regal setting ...

Next: some old illustrations/paintings of Osborne House and nearby town of Ryde.

thumbnail image from old postcard of Osborne House

Osborne terraces and garden

thumbnail image of old watercolour painting of Osborne House

The gardens and grounds of Osborne looking southwards towards the building.

thumbnail image of old photo of building with Italianate tower

Osborne west front and carriage ring.

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thumbnail image of old engraving of seaside town with buildings

Drawing of the seaside town of Ryde in 19th century

France ...

Some of the places and locations that Sophie, as Madame de Feuchères, would have known as a young woman in France. Chantilly, in particular was the setting around which many of the important key events of her life took place.