Venetia's Engagement
Venetia Stanley’s engagement to Edwin Montagu in spring 1915 surprised their circle, given her earlier rejections and the belief that she felt little romantic attachment to him. To secure his inheritance, Venetia agreed to convert to Judaism—something she described as a mere change of “label”—and the couple reached an unconventional understanding that allowed her independence and limited intimacy. The news, conveyed to Prime Minister H. H. Asquith on May 12, devastated him, as he had relied on Venetia as his chief confidante during the war. He saw the engagement as a “death-blow,” recoiled at her conversion, and was further shaken as the crisis coincided with political turmoil and the collapse of his authority. Venetia and Edwin married on July 26, 1915; Asquith did not attend but sent a wedding gift.
The Betrayal
The shock engagement to Edwin Montagu that broke the Prime Minister's heart and changed the war.
Character Perspectives(How each character saw that)
H.H. Asquith
He was devastated, writing 'this breaks my heart'.
Venetia Stanley
She found the situation of juggling both men impossible.
Edwin Montagu
He was overjoyed by the acceptance but terrified of hurting Asquith.
Margot Asquith
She was initially relieved, then furious.
Violet Asquith
She was deeply shocked and angry.
Sylvia Henley
She immediately became Asquith's new confidante.
Cynthia Asquith
She recorded the gossip that the breakup was 'really the cause of the Coalition'.
Raymond Asquith
He supported the marriage as a sensible 'marriage of convenience'.
Fun Fact
On the very day Asquith received the breakup letter, he wrote three separate letters to her sister.
Sources
- • The Asquiths Book
- • Naomi Levine
- • Asquith Letters