Noble Blood: Episode Summary – "Teaching People Manners"
Podcast Information:
- Title: Noble Blood
- Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts and Grim & Mild
- Description: Author Dana Schwartz explores the stories of some of history’s most fascinating royals: the tyrants and the tragic, the murderers and the murdered, and everyone in between. Because when you’re wearing a crown, mistakes often mean blood.
- Episode: Teaching People Manners
- Release Date: June 24, 2025
Introduction
In the episode titled "Teaching People Manners," Dana Schwartz delves into the intriguing and tumultuous life of Princess Elizabeth Babesco, juxtaposed against the backdrop of Catherine Mansfield, a renowned early 20th-century writer and critic. This episode uncovers the complexities of royal life, literary circles, and personal betrayals that defined an era.
Setting the Scene
Dana Schwartz opens the episode by highlighting a poignant piece of correspondence from Catherine Mansfield to Princess Babesco, showcasing a blend of eloquence and reproach:
“I do not like scolding people, and I simply hate having to teach them manners.”
— Catherine Mansfield [02:30]
This letter serves as a catalyst for exploring the relationship between Mansfield and Babesco, shedding light on the intricate dynamics within London's literary and royal circles.
The Rise of Princess Elizabeth Babesco
Princess Elizabeth Babesco was not born into royalty but ascended it through her marriage to Prince Antoine Babesco, a Romanian diplomat. Her father, H.H. Asquith, had risen from humble beginnings to become the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, thrusting Elizabeth into the limelight at the age of 11.
Dana Schwartz narrates:
“If she were alive today, she would probably be characterized correctly as a Nepo Baby it girl.”
— Dana Schwartz [05:45]
Elizabeth's early forays into philanthropy and the arts positioned her as a celebrated figure in high society. By directing a charity play at 12 and performing for troops during World War I, she established herself as a multifaceted and influential princess.
The Marriage and Subsequent Scandal
Elizabeth's marriage to Antoine Babesco in 1919 was a grand affair, attended by luminaries like Queen Mary and George Bernard Shaw. Settling in Paris, the couple became central figures in intellectual elite circles, with their home serving as a salon for renowned artists and writers, including Marcel Proust.
However, beneath the glamorous exterior, the Babesco marriage was fraught with infidelity. Antoine's reputation as a "boudoir athlete" and his numerous affairs set the stage for conflict. Elizabeth sought her own literary recognition, which led her into the professional and personal orbit of J.M. Murray, Catherine Mansfield's husband.
Catherine Mansfield's Struggle
Catherine Mansfield, an esteemed writer suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis, found herself entangled in a complex web of personal and professional turmoil. Her marriage to J.M. Murray was unstable, marked by mutual infidelities and emotional dependencies. As Elizabeth Babesco's literary career flourished, her relationship with Murray deepened, causing strain and jealousy.
“This letter was designed to put the passionate young princess in her place.”
— Dana Schwartz [15:20]
Mansfield's intercepted letters revealed Elizabeth's attempts to engage Murray beyond professional collaboration, igniting a feud that culminated in Mansfield's scathing correspondence to the princess.
The Famous Letter Exchange
At [16:10], Dana Schwartz reads the pivotal letter from Mansfield to Babesco:
“Dear Princess Babesco,
I'm afraid you must stop writing these little love letters to my husband while he and I live together. It is one of the things which is not done in our world. You are very young. Won't you ask your husband to explain to you the impossibility of such a situation? Please do not make me have to write to you again. I do not like scolding people, and I simply hate having to teach them manners.
Yours Sincerely,
Catherine Mansfield.”
This letter epitomizes Mansfield's restrained yet fierce attempt to assert her boundaries and condemn Babesco's overstepping.
Aftermath and Impact
The fallout from this exchange reverberated through London's literary circles. Virginia Woolf referred to it as the "Babesco scandal," highlighting the public nature of Murray's infidelity and the strained dynamics within their social group.
Catherine Mansfield's response underscored her artistic and personal convictions, emphasizing authenticity over social niceties. Her subsequent decline due to illness and eventual death at 34 added a tragic dimension to the saga, with her literary legacy overshadowing her personal suffering.
Elizabeth Babesco's Literary Pursuits
Despite the personal scandals, Princess Elizabeth Babesco continued to pursue her literary ambitions. Her works, though often dismissed by contemporaries for their superficiality, captured the essence of high society with wit and charm. Critics like Elizabeth Bowen later praised her ability to depict the nuanced emotions of privileged individuals post-World War I.
“Her characters followed their hearts, just as she had in real life, with all the fallout that came along with it.”
— Elizabeth Bowen on Babesco [22:15]
Legacy and Reflection
The episode concludes by reflecting on the contrasting lives of Mansfield and Babesco. While Mansfield's fierce integrity left an indelible mark on literature, Babesco's flair for self-promotion and networking might have found greater appreciation in today's social media-driven world.
Dana Schwartz muses:
“Perhaps the real tragedy isn't that Elizabeth Babesco was dismissed by her more serious literary contemporaries, but that she was born into the wrong era entirely.”
— Dana Schwartz [25:00]
Conclusion
"Teaching People Manners" offers a rich exploration of personal ambition, societal expectations, and the interplay between personal lives and public personas. Through the lens of Princess Elizabeth Babesco and Catherine Mansfield, the episode underscores the enduring complexities of navigating privilege, artistry, and honor.
Notable Quotes:
- Dana Schwartz [00:00]: Introduction to the episode and the main themes.
- Catherine Mansfield [02:30]: Excerpt from Mansfield's letter to Babesco.
- Dana Schwartz [05:45]: Commentary on Elizabeth Babesco's public persona.
- Dana Schwartz [15:20]: Analysis of Mansfield's letter's intent.
- Catherine Mansfield [16:10]: Full text of Mansfield's letter.
- Elizabeth Bowen [22:15]: Critical assessment of Babesco's literary characters.
- Dana Schwartz [25:00]: Reflection on Babesco's cultural misalignment.
This comprehensive summary captures the essence of the "Teaching People Manners" episode of Noble Blood, highlighting the intricate relationships and societal pressures that shaped the lives of Princess Elizabeth Babesco and Catherine Mansfield. Through engaging storytelling and insightful analysis, Dana Schwartz provides listeners with a nuanced understanding of how manners, or the lack thereof, can influence personal and public lives within the corridors of power and art.