Hertfordshire is a real-life county in Southern England, located just north of London. It plays a major role in Pride and Prejudice, as it is the home of our heroine, Elizabeth Bennet.
People
Early in the novel, Mrs. Bennet insists that they dine with "four-and-twenty families," among Meryton society. Of those, we meet the following individuals over the course of the novel:
- The Bennets, local landowners at Longbourn, including:
- Mr. Bennet, lord of the manor
- Mrs. Bennet, his wife
- And their daughters
- Hill, the housekeeper at Longbourn
- The Gouldings, including William Goulding
- The Longs, including:
- The Lucases, a bourgeois family that has joined the ranks of the gentry, including:
- Sir William Lucas
- Lady Lucas
- And their children:
- Mr. Morris, who is likely either the owner (or perhaps the steward) of Netherfield Park
- The Phillipses, tradespeople in Meryton, including:
- Mr. Phillips, an attorney
- Mrs. Phillips, his wife
- Mr. Robinson
- We also know that Mrs. Bennet, Mrs. Phillips and Mr. Gardiner are all siblings. It is possible that there are other siblings from the Gardiner family living in Hertfordshire.
We also meet or hear of a range of working people in Meryton, including:
- Mr. Jones, a surgeon or apothecary
- Mrs. Nicholls, likely the cook at Netherfield Park
Over the course of the novel, a militia Regiment under the direction of a Colonel Forster joins Hertfordshire to weather a winter and spring in Meryton. Several of the officers mingle in Hertfordshire society.
Places
We also visit a range of places in Hertfordshire, including the following towns:
- Meryton, seemingly the largest town in its neighbourhood, including a number of establishments:
- Longbourn Village, which appears to be named for the eponymous great house in its proximity
And a range of great houses:
We also know that Oakham Mount is a local natural attraction, within a long walk from Longbourn.
