“Will doe all in her power”: the role of women in the contested will of Henry Cavendish

When the 2nd Duke of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Henry Cavendish died in 1691, he left behind one of the wealthiest estates in England. Having no male heir, he chose to leave his fortune to his favourite daughter Margaret. This decision was not well received by other family members, leading to a lengthy conflict culminating in court proceedings that attempted to contest the will. Utilising both judicial sources as well as personal correspondence, this paper examines the role and influence of the women within the Cavendish family in this process. It explores the methods by which they were able to participate both in and outside of court, and how they utilised both practical and emotional tactics to achieve their aims. This paper argues that the idealised roles of wife, mother and widow offered women a role of influence, lending credibility to their testimonies as well as enabling them to effectively manage family discord.