Monthly Archives: March 2016

Life Below Stairs: Part 6 ~ Housing the Servants

Posted on March 30, 2016 by Regina Jeffers

It was not uncommon for an English aristocrat or a wealthy man of the gentry to own several properties: country estates and a London house in a fashionable area of London. In doing so, the owner employed a variety of … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, buildings and structures, Georgian, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, real life tales, Regency era, Victorian era, William IV | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Thomas McKean, The “Last” Signer of the Declaration of Independence

Posted on March 29, 2016 by Regina Jeffers

The Society of the Descendants of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence tells us something of Thomas McKean’s lineage, “The McKean family ancestry shows an interesting progression, from Scotland to Ireland to America. Thomas McKean’s great-great-great grandfather, William McKean, … Continue reading →

Posted in America, American History, British history, Declaration of Independence, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

An Introduction into Anglo-Norman Early Drama

Posted on March 28, 2016 by Regina Jeffers

Drama arose in the Tenth Century in certain monasteries when modifications to the mass occurred. Scenes of the Master’s life began to be represented in the churches, especially during the holier holidays. Many could not read and so the use … Continue reading →

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Wollaton Hall in Nottinghamshire, English Renaissance at Its Best, and Home to “The Dark Knight Rises”

Posted on March 25, 2016 by Regina Jeffers

Robert Smythson began work on Wollaton Hall in 1580. The Hall was to be the home of Sir Francis Willoughby. Most experts think Smythson, who also designed Hardwick Hall, in the same area, appears to have used Mount Edgcumbe in … Continue reading →

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Who Were The “Ton” and the “Beau Monde”?

Posted on March 24, 2016 by Regina Jeffers

Le bon ton is a French phrase meaning “the good style” or “good form.” One could be said to have good ton–meaning good style. So one could be part of the Ton, if one had the style for it–which is why … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, customs and tradiitons, George IV, Georgian, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, history, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, political stance, Victorian era, William IV | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Do You Know the Origin of These Words and Phrases?

Posted on March 22, 2016 by Regina Jeffers

Do You Know The Origin of These Words and Phrases? I have been editing again, as well as judging a few writing contests. The process had me searching out some of the least common words and phrases I encountered. Check … Continue reading →

Posted in editing, etymology, language choices, vocabulary, word choices, word origins, word play, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Francis Lewis, a founder of the Sons of Liberty and a Signer of the Declaration of Independence

Posted on March 21, 2016 by Regina Jeffers

 (Francis Lewis, 1713-1803, Print by Granger, fineartamerica.com) Born in Llandaff, Cardiff, Wales on 21 March 1713, Francis Lewis was the only child of the Reverend Morgan Lewis, an Episcopalian minister, and Am Pettingal, the daughter of a clergyman. Unfortunately, he … Continue reading →

Posted in America, American History, British history, business, Declaration of Independence, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

George Clymer, Captain of the “Silk Stockings” and Signer of the Declaration of Independence

Posted on March 16, 2016 by Regina Jeffers

The Society of the Descendants of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence says, “A grandson of one of the original settlers of the Penn colony, George Clymer established himself as a major figure in both the struggle for independence … Continue reading →

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Georgian Architecture: University of London, a Metropolitan, Nonsectarian University

Posted on March 15, 2016 by Regina Jeffers

  In 1820, the Scottish poet, Thomas Campbell, put forth the idea of a metropolitan, nonsectarian university. With others he launched a movement in 1825 to found the University of London, for students excluded from Oxford or Cambridge by religious tests … Continue reading →

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Robert Treat Paine, “The Objection Maker” and Signer of the Declaration of Independence

Posted on March 11, 2016 by Regina Jeffers

“Robert Treat Paine was a native of Massachusetts, born in 1731. He was expected, by family tradition, to become a Minister. He got high marks at the Boston Latin School and was admitted to Harvard College, where he graduated in … Continue reading →

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