Monthly Archives: January 2014

Victorian Happenings: The Bedchamber Crisis

The Bedchamber crisis occurred in May 1839 after Whig politician Lord Melbourne had resigned as Prime Minister. Queen Victoria invited Tory politician Robert Peel to form a new government. Peel realised that such a government would hold a minority in … Continue reading

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Things Jane Austen and Charles Dickens Never Did as a Writer

How would  Charles Dickens and Jane Austen fare as writers marketing their books in today’s world?  The value of their contributions cannot be questioned, but how would they cope with technology and the added demands of promotion in today’s marketplace?  … Continue reading

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Victorian Happenings: The Formation of the Anti-Corn Law League

The Anti-Corn Law League was in effect the resumption of the Anti-Corn Law Association, which had been created in London in 1836 but did not obtain widespread popularity. The Anti-Corn Law League was founded in Manchester in 1838. Richard Cobden … Continue reading

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Howell Harris, Leader of the Welsh Methodist Revival

Howell Harris (January 24, 1714 – July 21, 1773) (Welsh: Hywel Harris) was one of the main leaders of the Welsh Methodist revival in the 18th century, along with Daniel Rowland and William Williams Pantycelyn. Life Harris was born at … Continue reading

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Victorian Happenings: March 26, 1839 ~ The First Henley Royal Regatta Is Held

Henley Royal Regatta is a rowing event held annually on the River Thames by the town of Henley-on-Thames, England. The Royal Regatta is sometimes referred to as Henley Regatta, its original name pre-dating Royal patronage. It should not be confused … Continue reading

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Jane Austen’s Lasting Influence on Writing and on Modern Perceptions

As we celebrate Jane Austen in modern settings this month, I thought it prudent to examine what makes “our” Jane so popular. Austen’s influence proves that the past is always in the process of being reinvented. There have been over … Continue reading

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Regency Celebrity: The Decadent George IV

Those of us who regularly “study” the period know as the Regency are well aware of the hedonistic nature of George IV, but many are unaware of the extent of the Prince Regent’s decadent ways. In truth, George IV, the … Continue reading

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Celebrating Twelfth Night

Defined by the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary as “the evening of the fifth of January, preceding Twelfth Day, the eve of the Epiphany, formerly the last day of the Christmas festivities,” Twelfth Night is a Christian-based holiday. However, there is currently some … Continue reading

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The Twelfth Day of Christmas (Jane Austen Style)

On the twelfth day of Christmas, Jane Austen gave to me Twelve Months of Reading Eleven Woodhouse/Knightleys Ten in Fanny’s Family Nine Named Musgrove Eight Minor Pieces Seven Austen Siblings Six Classic Novels F-i-v-e Bennet Sisters Four Abbey Tilneys Three … Continue reading

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The Eleventh Day of Christmas (Jane Austen Style)

(Sung to the tune of “The Twelve Days of Christmas”) On the eleventh day of Christmas, Jane Austen gave to me, Eleven Woodhouse/Knightleys Ten in Fanny’s Family Nine Named Musgrove Eight Minor Pieces Seven Austen Siblings Six Classic Novels F-i-v-e … Continue reading

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