Monthly Archives: January 2015

A Regency Era Lexicon – The Letter “B”

Regency Era Lexicon – And Then There Was “B” Backboards – stiff, straight boards, strapped to a young lady’s back, to improve her posture Bailey – the outside wall of a fortress or castle; the Old Bailey was the main … Continue reading

Posted in British history, Great Britain, Living in the Regency, Regency era | 2 Comments

Owain Glyndŵr, National Hero and The Last Native Welshman to Hold the Title “Prince of Wales”

Owain Glyndŵr (c. 1349 or 1359 to c. 1415) was the last native Welshman to hold the title Prince of Wales (Tywysog Cymru). He led an unsuccessful revolt against Henry IV of England. Glyndŵr’s family was part of the Anglo-Welsh … Continue reading

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James Figg, Father of Modern Day Boxing

Born into a poor farming family, James Figg is considered the father of Modern Day Boxing. The youngest of seven children, Figg grew up in Thames Village, Oxfordshire. He had achieved renown as a master of the short sword and … Continue reading

Posted in British history, Georgian Era, Great Britain, legends and myths, Living in the UK, real life tales | Tagged , | 7 Comments

The Lovely World of the English Language: Do You Know the Origin of These Words and Phrases?

Nodcock ~ From the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), this is one of many words meaning “fool or idiot” It dates back to the 1500’s. Synonyms include “noddypoop, noddypoll, and niddicock.” [I wish I had known this word when a gentleman told me I … Continue reading

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Oh, the Places We Will Go… [in Jane Austen’s Novels]

Oh, the Places We Will Go…in Austen Novels Through Jane Austen’s novels, I was first introduced, at the age of 12, to beautiful English estates and a land beyond my imagination. I fell in love with the time, the homes, … Continue reading

Posted in British history, Great Britain, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, Regency era | 2 Comments

Jack Sheppard, Extraordinary Escape Artist, but Mediocre Thief

Jack Sheppard, Extraordinary Thief A favorite figure in verse, plays, and burlesque, John Sheppard was an 18th Century English thief. Born in Stepney on 4 March 1702, Sheppard spent several years (from the age of six) in the workhouse in … Continue reading

Posted in British history, Georgian Era, Great Britain, legends and myths, Living in the UK, real life tales | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

A Regency Era Lexicon – We Begin With the Letter “A”

Regency Era Lexicon – We Begin with “A” Abbey School – Founded in 1887, the Abbey School is currently to an independent selective day school for girls in Reading, Berkshire. The novelist Jane Austen attended Reading Ladies Boarding School within … Continue reading

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Eccentrics of the Georgian Era: Richard Barry, 7th Earl of Barrymore

Eccentrics of the Georgian Period: Richard Barry, 7th Earl of Barrymore For today, we’ll take an look at another of the Prince Regent’s inner circle, a man known by one and all as “Hellgate,” Richard Barry, 7th Earl of Barrymore. Fast … Continue reading

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The Tale of Aradia, Daughter of Diana and Lucifer

The Tale of Aradia, Daughter of Diana and Lucifer In researching my Austen-inspired cozy mystery, The Mysterious Death of Mr. Darcy, I spent multiple hours in reading LOTS of tales of paganism, witchcraft, and folklore. Believe me, this is not my … Continue reading

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