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English Governess at the Siamese Court

English Governess at the Siamese Court

In 1862, Anna Leonowens embarked on a unique journey. She was hired by King Mongkut of Siam to educate his extensive family - 39 wives, concubines, and 82 children. The King sought to provide them a modern Western education, a task that previous missionaries wives had failed to accomplish. Anna took her son Louis to Bangkok, leaving her daughter Avis in England. She served in the Siamese court for nearly six years, first as a teacher and then as the kings language secretary. Despite the respect and political influence she held, she found herself at odds with the terms of her employment, leading the king to view her as a difficult woman. Her services were acknowledged in the Kings will and by his successor, young King Chulalongkorn. In 1869, she moved to New York and began publishing travel articles, which she later compiled into her memoirs. Her first book, The English Governess at the Siamese Court, brought her fame and controversy. Critics accused her of sensationalism and of overemphasizing her impact on the king. Her critical perspective of court life has sparked debates in Thailand to this day.

Episodes

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01 - English Governess at the Siamese Court by Anna Harriette Leonowens 7 min 15 sec
02 - English Governess at the Siamese Court by Anna Harriette Leonowens 22 min 44 sec
03 - English Governess at the Siamese Court by Anna Harriette Leonowens 19 min 26 sec
04 - English Governess at the Siamese Court by Anna Harriette Leonowens 30 min 7 sec
05 - English Governess at the Siamese Court by Anna Harriette Leonowens 11 min 41 sec
06 - English Governess at the Siamese Court by Anna Harriette Leonowens 7 min 53 sec
07 - English Governess at the Siamese Court by Anna Harriette Leonowens 22 min 27 sec
08 - English Governess at the Siamese Court by Anna Harriette Leonowens 9 min 38 sec
09 - English Governess at the Siamese Court by Anna Harriette Leonowens 8 min 6 sec
10 - English Governess at the Siamese Court by Anna Harriette Leonowens 17 min 16 sec
11 - English Governess at the Siamese Court by Anna Harriette Leonowens 8 min 36 sec
12 - English Governess at the Siamese Court by Anna Harriette Leonowens 15 min 46 sec
13 - English Governess at the Siamese Court by Anna Harriette Leonowens 24 min 36 sec
14 - English Governess at the Siamese Court by Anna Harriette Leonowens 15 min 29 sec
15 - English Governess at the Siamese Court by Anna Harriette Leonowens 5 min 43 sec
16 - English Governess at the Siamese Court by Anna Harriette Leonowens 20 min 18 sec
17 - English Governess at the Siamese Court by Anna Harriette Leonowens 13 min 30 sec
18 - English Governess at the Siamese Court by Anna Harriette Leonowens 8 min 15 sec
19 - English Governess at the Siamese Court by Anna Harriette Leonowens 6 min 24 sec
20 - English Governess at the Siamese Court by Anna Harriette Leonowens 26 min 53 sec
21 - English Governess at the Siamese Court by Anna Harriette Leonowens 17 min 17 sec
22 - English Governess at the Siamese Court by Anna Harriette Leonowens 16 min 51 sec
23 - English Governess at the Siamese Court by Anna Harriette Leonowens 46 min 58 sec
24 - English Governess at the Siamese Court by Anna Harriette Leonowens 26 min 56 sec
25 - English Governess at the Siamese Court by Anna Harriette Leonowens 10 min 18 sec
26 - English Governess at the Siamese Court by Anna Harriette Leonowens 32 min 36 sec
27 - English Governess at the Siamese Court by Anna Harriette Leonowens 30 min 20 sec
28 - English Governess at the Siamese Court by Anna Harriette Leonowens 38 min 40 sec
29 - English Governess at the Siamese Court by Anna Harriette Leonowens 36 min 29 sec
30 - English Governess at the Siamese Court by Anna Harriette Leonowens 30 min 44 sec
31 - English Governess at the Siamese Court by Anna Harriette Leonowens 30 min 26 sec
32 - English Governess at the Siamese Court by Anna Harriette Leonowens 15 min 31 sec

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