All Because of a Maidservant: A story about fate, tradition and love

This is a story of dedication, love, and fate. Part fact and part fiction, the story covers the lives in three generations of Francesca Gorlewski’s family. It is based on stories Francesca told the author, her daughter Eleanor, throughout the years.

The story takes place in the Manor Estate adjacent to a village called The Village of the Big Rock, located in Russian occupied Poland, in the later part of the 19th century, ending at the time of World War I.

Only a fast moving river bordering the Manor Estate separates the Russian occupied Poland from the German occupied Poland. Poland under the Russian occupation was agricultural, made up of small towns and villages, with many small farms. The largest farm in the region was the Manor Estate, a gentleman’s estate known for its potatoes and horses.

The part of Poland under German occupation is a very progressive region bustling with cities made up of many small businesses, large estates, and many cultural and education institutions.

Part I covers the beginning of the estate and its village. Part II is based on fact as told by Francesca’s stories.