Anne Finch Portrait

I am an English poet and playwright. This is a portrait of me when I was a young writer. Women writers were not widely accepted, so I began writing under the pseudonym Ardelia. Later in my life I was finally persuaded into writing under my real name, Anne Finch. I wrote about many things such as women equality, nature, friends, and my darling husband, Heneage. My hope is that other women writers could relate to my voice and opinions.

The Anne Finch Digital Library. Anne Finch. Department of English, University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Web. Undated.
 

Heneage Finch

Heneage Finch is my dear, devoted husband. He supported me through every road block and success in my writing career. Heneage helped edit and rewrite my illegible writings. My love for him is also shown through many of my poems. He’s always been an inspiration of mine.

The Anne Finch Digital Library. Heneage Finch (1657-1726). Department of English, University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Web. Undated.

St. James Palace

I began living at St. James Palace in 1692, joining the court of Charles II. I became on of six maids of honor to Mary of Modena. I also met Heneage during my time at the court. I resigned from the court soon after my marriage. I maintained few friendships over the years with fellow maids of honor.

London Town. St James's Palace Images. Web. Undated.

King William III and Queen Mary II (1689 - 1702) Portraits by Godfrey Kneller

In 1689, William and Mary had a joint reign over the Kingdoms of England, Scotland and the Dutch Prince of Orange. When William and Mary came into charge, taking an oath of allegiance was required. My husband and I were loyal to the Catholic Stuart Court, instead of conforming to our new rulers’ Protestant ways. We refused to take the oath, costing my husband his government position and causing him to flee from the public permanently.

Royal Family History. King William III and Queen Mary II (1689 - 1702). Undated. Web.

Corrections to Heneage Finch's Transcriptions

Admittedly, my handwriting is very messy and almost impossible to decipher. Heneage and his uncle, Charles, made corrections and edits along with rewriting my work to make my poems legible. After they would finish, I would make my final corrections. I had a dreadful habit of pinning new scraps of paper over old writings when I wanted to change something. Very confusing I would assume to someone who isn’t in my head.

Ziegler, Georgianna. Folger Shakespeare Library: The Collation. Women Marking the Text. Web. 2 Feb. 2012.

Eastwell Park, Kent, Estate from W. H. Ireland's History of Kent (1829)

During the late 1690s, my husband Heneage’s nephew, Charles Finch, invited us to permanently move in with him. We stayed at that estate for over 25 years. The quiet, countryside gave me an incredible environment to create my poems. Along with my husband, Charles was very supportive of my work. I know I would not be where I am today if it weren’t for the support of my family.

Moody, Ellen. I On Myself Can Live. Colonel Heneage Finch (Continued). Web. Jan. 2003

Letter to Daphnis by Anne Finch

This is a poem I wrote about my husband. When I met my husband at the court, he instantly fell in love with me. I resisted his affections at first, but then I fell for him just as hard. Ever since, he’s been a main source of inspiration for my poems such as this one. I have a large collection of love poems for my Heneage.

 

A Letter to Daphnis
By  Anne Finch, Countess of Winchilsea  

This to the crown and blessing of my life,

The much loved husband of a happy wife;

To him whose constant passion found the art

To win a stubborn and ungrateful heart,

And to the world by tenderest proof discovers

They err, who say that husbands can’t be lovers.

With such return of passion as is due,

Daphnis I love, Daphnis my thoughts pursue;

Daphnis my hopes and joys are bounded all in you.

Even I, for Daphnis’ and my promise’ sake,

What I in women censure, undertake.

But this from love, not vanity, proceeds;

You know who writes, and I who ’tis that reads.

Judge not my passion by my want of skill:

Many love well, though they express it ill;

And I your censure could with pleasure bear,

Would you but soon return, and speak it here.

Finch, Anne. “A Letter to Daphnis.” Poetry Foundation. Poetry Foundation. n.d. Web.10 Dec. 2015