Who Was the Real Edith Pretty From Netflix’s ‘The Dig’?
The Netflix movie, ‘The Dig’, which is based on the excavation of Sutton Hoo, has a lead story and character that links the action and plot – the character of ‘Edith Pretty’. Edith’s arc takes center stage as the film reveals her struggles against social convention and her path of learning and growth. But who was the real Edith Pretty, and how did she inspire the movie?
Early Life and Family
Edith Pretty was born on the 18th of December, 1883, in the largest city of Yorkshire, Leeds, as the third and youngest daughter of William and Ann Bradshaw. Her father was a successful businessman who owned a corn and grain cleaning business together with his brother-in-law. In 1892 the family moved to Chelmsford, where her father started to work in the insurance industry.
In 1903 Edith married the widowed Freeman Pretty, heir to the influential and wealthy Pretty family. They lived in Badley Hall, in the village of Badley, Suffolk, along with Edith’s two children from a previous marriage. Freeman and Edith later had a son, John, who was born in 1910.
Edith as an Archaeologist
The area around Badley Hall was abundant in archaeological finds, and this may have sparked Edith’s interest in ancient history and archaeology. In 1926 she was offered to excavate two possible burial mounds on a nearby estate owned by Raymond-Unwin, the local landowner. The two mounds were located on the grounds of her late husband’s family country estate at Sutton Hoo, where Edith and her son continued to live.
For the next four years, Edith funded and directed the excavation of the mounds, and in 1938 the discoveries found within them made headlines. In total, the excavation revealed over 270 artifacts, many of which are now on display both in London and around the world.
The Legacy of Edith Pretty
When the news of the finds made headlines, Edith generously donated the retrieved artifacts to the British Museum. She also funded a monument to commemorate the site and erected a replica helmet as a thanksgiving to the workers and archaeologists who had taken part in the excavation.
In recognition and appreciation of her efforts, Edith was awarded an Order of the British Empire in 1939. This was a huge achievement, considering that at the time only 6% of awards were given to women. After she died in 1942, Edith’s sons, John and Thomas (from her first marriage), placed a plaque near the burial mounds which reads “In memory of Edith Pretty, OBE: her generosity made possible the excavation, the discoveries and this commemoration.”
The Impact of Edith Pretty in Modern Culture
In 2021, Netflix released the movie ‘The Dig’ which tells the story of Edith’s journey from widow to archaeologist who made a remarkable discovery. The movie is based loosely on the novel of the same name by John Preston, which was written to celebrate the achievements of Edith Pretty, who was often overlooked in the story of the Sutton Hoo excavation.
In the movie decision making rests with Edith, from the choice of digger to the retrieval of artifacts, as well as the decision to fund the dig with her own money. It is through her decision making and resourcefulness that Edith’s position of power is highlighted and celebrated.
The story of Edith Pretty has also been the inspiration of a ballet by Royal Ballet Choreographer Wayne McGregor. Through her compelling story, Edith Pretty has become an inspiration to many people, especially women, and proof that genuine achievements don’t necessarily need to come through mainstream or conformist routes.
Edith Pretty had an incredible courage and determination to work against the conventions of the day. She was also an independent woman who was in charge of her own destiny and in control of her own wealth. As a person unafraid to speak her mind and fund her own projects, she is an inspiration for those who are more interested in learning through action than taking the conventional route.
Her story has inspired the Netflix movie and even a ballet, and with each retelling of Edith’s tale, she will become an even more memorable figure in history. We can only hope that more people are inspired to use their own resources and courage to become the best version of themselves and to help make the world a better place.
