Monthly Archives: April 2014

King of Clubs, Whig Conversation Club of the Early Regency Period

The King of Clubs was a famous Whig conversation club, founded in 1798. In contrast to its mainly Tory forerunner The Club (established by Samuel Johnson, Edmund Burke and Sir Joshua Reynolds), it was a predominantly Whig fraternity of some … Continue reading

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“Conversation” Sharp – Victorian, Richard Sharp, Doyen of the Conversationalists

Richard Sharp, FRS, FSA (1759 – 30 March 1835), also known as “Conversation” Sharp, was a hat-maker, banker, merchant, poet, critic, British politician, but above all – doyen of the conversationalists. Family Background Sharp was born in Newfoundland. His father, … Continue reading

Posted in British history, Great Britain, language choices, political stance, real life tales, Uncategorized, Victorian era | Tagged , | 4 Comments

UK Real Estate: Lacock Abbey, Wiltshire, Backdrop for Harry Potter, Pride and Prejudice, and Robin of Sherwood

Lacock Abbey in the village of Lacock, Wiltshire, England, was founded in the early 13th century by Ela, Countess of Salisbury, as a nunnery of the Augustinian order. History Lacock Abbey, dedicated to St Mary and St Bernard, was founded … Continue reading

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During the Reign of George IV: The Metropolitan Police Act of 1829

In my current WIP (Work in Progress), I have spent countless hours in studying the working of the law in 1816 London. The difficulty is there was no Metropolitan Police Force to handle the investigations. The fragmented dealings have created … Continue reading

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Do You Remember When? A Pin-Up Became a Princess…

In the 1940s and 1950s, there was no one “hotter” that Rita Hayworth. With a reserved striptease in the film Gilda, Hayworth became every man’s fantasy. Who could believe in today’s age of near nudity upon every screen that a simple slow … Continue reading

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The Princess Royal’s Not So Happy Life

The Princess Royal’s Not So Happy Life As we watched Kate Middleton marry into the Royal Family, people kept saying things that made the life of a princess seem “ideal,” but we who have studied the Regency Period can name … Continue reading

Posted in British history, George IV, Georgian Era, Great Britain, Living in the Regency, political stance, real life tales, Regency era | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Victorian Astronomer, Francis Baily

Francis Baily (28 April 1774 – 30 August 1844) was an English astronomer, most famous for his observations of ‘Baily’s beads’ during an eclipse of the Sun. Life Baily was born at Newbury in Berkshire in 1774 to Richard Baily. … Continue reading

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Pride 47 – Prejudice 5

Pride and Prejudice was originally entitled First Impressions, which is a much better title when one considers how Jane Austen bombards her readers with the theme of “impressions”: first, flawed, and founded. However, that is material for a future post. … Continue reading

Posted in British history, editing, Industry News/Publishing, Jane Austen, language choices, Regency era | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

During the Reign of George IV: The Catholic Relief Act of 1829

The Roman Catholic Relief Act 1829, passed by Parliament in 1829, was the culmination of the process of Catholic Emancipation throughout Britain. In Ireland it repealed the Test Act 1673 and the remaining Penal Laws, which had been in force … Continue reading

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Georgian Happenings: The Wapping Coal Riots of 1798

Wapping Coal Riots of 1798 By Regina Jeffers Coal was a major source of heat and an important commodity to London’s financial stability. As such, ships filled with coal called in at the various ports of London on the River … Continue reading

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