The Strange Couple who Never Left Home | The Ladies of Llangollen 

Sounds like quite a wonderful life they had together. I'll never understand why people are that interested and judging about other peoples' sex life.

It’s rare enough in this world to find someone you love and who loves you.. and when you find that person, treasure it above all.

In the United States, these used to be called "Boston marriages". They were households to two upper-class women who didn't want a traditional marriage. I think they were tolerated by society because women were often thought not have a sexual nature. So, society to see these relationships as done for companionships, rather than romantic. As you mentioned, a similar relationship between two men would not have been tolerated. Very interesting episode!

There’s a great book written about these ‘companions’. The Ladies of Llangollen’, it’s a true account, due to the amount of people that knew their story, & they were both avid diarists. As you said, They were determined to be together, so ran away. The first time, they were caught & returned, due mainly to the age & prosperity of the younger of the two.. Later, both families tried to keep them apart, but they had made financial savings, & arrangements ahead of their travels, allowing them to travel & rent a home in Wales. Beyond that, they would take one day at a time. The cottage was in poor shape, so the original rent was low, but they began to work the land, & raise livestock, which brought in money for living expenses, to pay farmhands, to care for the livestock. They even had a smaller building made habitable for the game keeper. They paid little in wage, but no one seemed to mind, as everyone who ever did business with them were enthralled by their rich characters & how hard they themselves worked. Yes, they were a couple, lovers, & from the start, their reputation spread far & wide. Most assumed they were just companions, who only ever wanted a quiet life away from the busy life in Ireland. The old housemaid knew the truth of course, & when she became Ill they cared for her. They did little to attract attention other than, one of them loved to paint & sketch soldiers, & scenes of ongoing wars, or unrest. She sold them to newspapers, & a few privately. They wrote short articles & wrote many letters, keeping copies for themselves. They entertained well known writers, poets. Businessmen & wealthy women. And other well known cross dressers, gay men & lesbians. All having heard their brave & happy tale from previous visitors. As you read, they were people of routine, & preferred visitors to make an appointment. They both dressed alike in heavy, dark masculine clothing, that blotted out feminine traits, but they seldom ventured far, they had everything they needed, the locals protected them, & their good name, & ran errands to the village close by. Sarah, was eventually awarded a pension from relatives, that was rightfully hers, which eased winter conditions. Anne Lister, better known now as “Gentleman Jack”, was Intrigued by them, & how well they were treated & seemingly accepted. Even though Anne, felt they, lived a very closed life, she envied their ability to run off & leave family & restrictions behind, to live together & remain so all their lives. Devoted to the end, which spurred Anne on with her quest to find a life partner, & to travel, & enjoy the the under belly of society & the freedom she felt when in France, the parties or coffee house where lesbians could meet to talk & be free to express themselves, & by dressing however they liked.

Wow, Llangollen is a 10 minute drive from me! I've followed this channel for so long and didn't expect to hear of a story so close to home! I didn't even know about these ladies!

The original 'they were roommates.'

I never leave home unless I am going to the doctor or dentist. For a decade I didn't go out at all. No doctor, no dentist. I didn't even go out on my back porch. I go in my yard now and walk for exercise and sun around my house. That includes going onto my front sidewalk and seeing neighbors and passers by sometimes. I have agoraphobia but am now under the care of a psychiatrist and on medication. My husband and I are retired now so I'm no longer lonely and I have always had the company of one or two dogs that I love. I am in touch with my husbands mother and father who I have not seen for decades, but I love. My doctor does think I am a true introvert but I am not sure about that because I used to love parties and friends.

I live just down the way from Llangollen. I'd not heard about these ladies and just love that you've told their story. 😃❤️😃

I have heard of these ladies before but I enjoyed hearing it again here with the gorgeous illustrations. It’s a very touching story of a very close and loving friendship. It must have been ghastly for Sarah after Eleanor died. Poor soul. Thank you for telling this lovely story.

Being a woman in those days was not for the faint hearted ❤

It sounds like they lived a nice life. This one made me happy

We have a similar couple in Victoria, Australia - Caroline Newcomb and Ann Drysdale.

What a fascinating story. I would love to go see their house. Thank you!

It’s a lovely day out… went there a few years ago …’The Ladies of Llangollen’ were known for their parties - they were fascinating women… 👍

Beautifull story. I admire this two free spirited women ,living their life's their own way,in times were society was very strict . They loved each other's truly,that's why after one died the other one died soon too. Love and freedom goes together,they are proof of it. Thanks dear for another lovely and inspiring story.

Very interesting - I have spent a lot of time in North Wales - passing thru Llangollen often but did not know this story at the time or I certainly would have wanted to visit the house. Thanks for this story - how wonderful that Miss Lister also visited them - her story is really good too. I watched the TV series about her several years ago - qwhat guts these ladies had to be who thye are without fear ! We do not choose who we are when we are born, just given a shell to live in & yet we are all judged by others !

Good for them!👏 I'm glad they were able to be buried together too😊

Thank you for this upload, I’ve Never heard of this story before and I found it very interesting, so Thank you x

Everyone deserves happiness, and I'm glad these two ladies found theirs. I'm sure it was difficult to be in a same sex relationship for many given the time period.

This brought up my memory of seeing the play “Lady-Like” by Laura Shamas, at the Philadelphia Theater Company in the early 1990s. It was my introduction to the ladies of Llangollen. Thank you!

I'm glad that they created their happiness. Interesting story. ♥

Magnificent case...two women ahead of their time...loved it...good job BC

It's always enjoyable to get your notification, and listen to you FLives. Thank you for this amazing history. Great job!

The house and grounds look awesome, wish I could visit

Amazingly creative in Gothic designing , Both in harmony with realised design building dreams . A very demanding financially secure position gave them this freedom to make their own blissfully choosen life. Not many could escape marriage at the high end pressures to obey , they did . I hope away from the false facades of society both achieved contented lives .

It amazes me the stories I've seen/heard here. I'm always learning something new. Thank you for thos story. This is the 1st time I've ever heard of these two women. Thanks very much. I can't wait for your next video.

What a lovely and happy story.

We love it! Have you already done Ann Lister? Did we miss that one?

Very enjoyable story. ☘️👍

I have not heard of these ladies before, thank you.

This was beautifully done! Ur voice is very soothing and the stories u choose are infinitely interesting!

Great story. Never heard about them before

Beyond interesting...Ive never heard of them before...your presentation of them was flawless..great job!

Awesome story of "Love conquers all". Thank you for highlighting 2 fascinating lives.

I enjoyed this very much; you do a lovely job with these videos! 👍👍

This was so interesting and the ladies so brave. Thank you for making this.

Very interesting! Thank you.

Love your stories!

Very interesting, as usual. Thanks!

Thank you for the great story.

Wonderful episode. I visited Llangollen a few years ago and am sorry I didn't know about the Ladies then. I will definitely visit the house museum when next I'm there.

My first stop at this channel, so interesting, nicely done!

New to the channel, really enjoyed this first video, can't wait to watch more as I've always been interested in history. Thank you and respect for the amazing job you do.

I really enjoyed this interesting video with its gorgeous images. Thank you!

Thank you so much . Brilliant amazing history . Eileen

Awesome over 250k subscribers. Congratulations 🎉

What beautiful paintings you found for your wonderful presentation of this story!

I just love all your videos

Thank you. Such a riveting love story. May they both rest in eternal peace, together. ❤️🙏

An absolutely beautiful story of a nearly lifelong friendship and love, including how dear they felt for Mary and she them. (Amazing ‘cottage’). Thank you for this.

Many thanks. I visited their house years ago but never learnt very much about their histories. ❤

Another fascinating video. Thank you for taking us back in time. I just love the artwork and photos you are able to find and share with us. Do you ever link where the artwork is from? I especially love the painting of the inn at time mark 8.50. Thank you

A fascinationg life and story. Thank you!

I’m so grateful for info that connects other bits of info to what I know…

I don't care about the details of their relationship. I am just happy that they lived their lives as they liked. Everyone should be free to be happy. They didn't bother anyone.

What a happy and peaceful life... Thanks for this interesting story, I m new in your channel 😊

I live about half an hour from Llangollen. This is really interesting . A fabulous place 🤗🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

I had known about Anne Lister for awhile, especially having watched and enjoyed the HBO series about her, but I hadn't heard of these two before this video! Being like them, it's nice to see how many women managed to live the way they were, instead of having to do as everyone else wanted them to be! Thank you for this!

Beautiful story and inspirational

Sooo interesting! TY!

This would be a great movie.

What a beautiful story and life together

What a beautiful life story. Thank you .

What a great story. Thanks

Thank-you, that was very interesting. I am glad they had a nice life.

Always interesting Thank you Peace 💕🇺🇲

Fascinating story for me as I come from Kilcooley and know the house well. I also know Kilkenny and the castle. Thank you. There is a monument to Wellington nearby.

What a wonderful story. Two strong and intelligent women who lived a long and happy life on their own terms. A lovely break from a lot of sad stories about Sapphic women. Never heard of Ann Lister either. Hers sounds like an interesting story. Really enjoyed this video. Great job!

Thank You. ❤

I really envy them….. thank you for sharing this with me

Good 👏 for 👏 them!! 👏

Very interesting!

Thanks!

I'm from kilkenny and live not far from kilkenny castle.. Thankyou fotyhis fantastic story

Very sweet and tender story.

Very interesting!!

Go and visit the house if you are ever in Llangollen. Well worth the time.

I enjoy your Historic stories.

They enjoyed a loving partnership. 🌹

hooray new video. ✨

Anne Boleyn's father was a cousin of the Earls of Ormonde & there was a "succession crisis" then, too. In order to settle the matter (& probably to help break up her betrothal to Harry Percy, son of the Earl of Northumberland), Anne was betrothed to James Butler, so that the claims would be united.

This sounds like Gentleman Jack

The days were peaceable and silent, but the nights were not so. It was fire in heaven.

Thank ,that was mot interesting.

I wish I never had to leave my home either. I wish I had the money to hire help. On the other hand, When you get older you don't feel the need to socialize anymore as you learn people love to talk and use everything you may have said in confidence to talk about you. Therefore, you'll be lucky if you have any friends once your older. Edit: See once these ladies let people into their lives they started talking about them.

Thank you for my lunch video. 😅❤

My family live there and a few miies away....

I am truly astounded, given the times that these woman were able not only to live in a society that fully accepted them but that they were also celebrated by being visited by famous people ! It is lovely they did not have to suffer for whatever their relationship may have been ! 🍃✝️🍃

Thank you.

What a beautiful story. Although I am sure this was a very tough road

The double DD at the end of Plas Newydd is a single letter in Welsh and pronounced as a “th” as in the English word “Thee”

I'm sure they were really, really, really, really, really, REAAAAALLY, really good friends

This sounds incredible, sign me up

I love this stuff. They seem very lucky. It seems they lived a pretty great life for the time.

That diary entry is my absolute perfect day

Very kool!

I've known nuns who were *best companions" too.

That home is gorgeous. I love the architecture in the front of the building. Andthe rear looks like it was inspired by Tudor architecture. I don't know much about architecture, just what I like. What is the style that runs along the front of the building called?

Very good research, sarah used to hide elenor in Woodstock house in Inisteoige Co.Kilkenny so they could be together , I feel their relationship started as friendship when sarah was young and elenor had a huge influence on her as she was 16 yrs older but developed into love over time , they probably were lovers and the servant too , great Anne Lister visited them as she was of the same persuasion, it was a difficult period socially for those women and they must have become popular even as an oddity in the day, wonder what they thought of Byron cos he was a wild character and a bit deviant.

They sound so happy! Good on them.