Summary
Overview
This episode explores the bizarre true story of Christabel Russell, a modern young woman who married into British aristocracy in 1918 and became entangled in one of history's strangest marital scandals. After agreeing to a marriage without physical intimacy, Christabel faces mounting pressure from her domineering mother-in-law to produce an heir, leading to escalating tensions with her husband John that culminate in threats, coercion, and ultimately an impossible medical mystery when she's declared pregnant despite claiming to be a virgin.
A Doctor's Impossible Discovery
The episode opens in 1921 with Dr. McKenzie examining Christabel Russell, who has been told by a clairvoyant she's pregnant but insists she's never had intercourse. After initially dismissing her claims, the doctor performs an examination that leaves him stunned - Christabel appears to be five months pregnant while also appearing to be a virgin, a medical impossibility that will spark one of Britain's most scandalous court cases.
- Christabel Russell visits Dr. McKenzie claiming a clairvoyant told her she's pregnant, but insists she's never had intercourse
- Dr. McKenzie discovers Christabel is five months pregnant but also appears to be a virgin
" Mrs. Russell, if that were true, you'd be quite the medical marvel. "
An Unconventional Courtship
Flashback to 1917 when shy, towering naval officer John Russell meets the bold and independent Christabel at a Savoy wedding reception. Despite his mother's disapproval, John is captivated by Christabel's modern spirit - she flies planes, rides motorbikes, and works in a munitions factory. Their whirlwind romance leads to marriage, but it's built on an unusual agreement that will ultimately doom their union.
- John Russell, a 6'6" shy naval officer, meets the adventurous Christabel at a ball where his mother pressures him to find a wife
- Christabel is a modern woman who has flown planes, driven motorbikes, and works in a munitions factory earning £400 a year
- John asks Christabel to marry him after just seven months, captivated by her unconventional spirit
" I've flown one. It was absolutely topping, like being a bird. "
📚 4 more sections below
Sign up to unlock the complete summary with all insights, key points, and quotes
Get this summary + all future British Scandal episodes in your inbox
100% Free • Unsubscribe Anytime
Sign up now and we'll send you the complete summary of this episode, plus get notified when new British Scandal episodes are released—delivered straight to your inbox within minutes.