Monthly Archives: June 2016

Princess Helena Augustus Victoria of the United Kingdom

Queen Victoria gave birth to her third daughter, and fifth child, Princess Helena Augusta Victoria on 25, May 1846, one day after the queen’s twenty-seventh birthday. Named in honor of Princess Hélène of Orléans, Helena’s godmother. (Princess Hélène of Orléans was … Continue reading

Posted in British history, family, Great Britain, history, marriage, royalty, Victorian era | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

“X” Does Not Always Mark the Spot

Recently, I spent a delightful morning counting words in Pride and Prejudice. Why? You may ask: Regina, do you not have enough to do with your retirement years than to sit around counting how many times Jane Austen used the word … Continue reading

Posted in book excerpts, British history, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, writing | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

Sir Thomas Wyatt (c. 1503 – 1542), 16th C English Ambassador and Lyrical Poet

Born to Henry and Anne Wyatt at Allington Castle, near Maidstone, Kent, in 1503, Thomas Wyatt made his first appearance at the royal court in 1516 as Sewer Extraordinary to Henry VIII.  In 1516 he also entered St. John’s College, … Continue reading

Posted in Great Britain, history, marriage, poetry, real life tales, romantic verse, Tudor | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Do You Know The Origin of These Words and Phrases?

Three Sheets to the Wind – Urban Dictionary defines this phrase to mean “to be explicitly drunk; inebriated.” The origin is likely found in practicality: Sheets actually refer to the ropes that are used to secure a ship’s sail. If the … Continue reading

Posted in Age of Chaucer, Canterbury tales, etymology, history, Jane Austen, real life tales, tall tales, word origins, word play, writing | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Carolina Book Festival 2016

Book Signing Carolina Book Fest is a book signing taking place in the Queen City of Charlotte, North Carolina, on October 15, 2016. The book signing will be held at the Marriott City Center (100 West Trade Street) in downtown Charlotte from 10 AM … Continue reading

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John Skelton (1460 – 1529), Tudor Poet

The Poetry Foundation tells us something of John Skelton. “No one can deny the power, endurance, and memorable lines of the work of John Skelton; he is indisputably the first major Tudor poet, writing during the reigns of Edward IV, … Continue reading

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Welcome Suspense Writer, Tierney James, and the Latest Release in the Enigma Series

Today, I welcome fellow Black Opal Books Author, Tierney James, and news of her latest release. Tierney and I have included a short Q and A to introduce her and her Enigma mystery series.  I know you love to travel. … Continue reading

Posted in Black Opal Books, blog hop, book release, books, eBooks, Guest Blog, Guest Post, mystery, suspense, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Welcome Suspense Writer, Tierney James, and the Latest Release in the Enigma Series

Queen Victoria’s Growing Family and the Need for a Better Environment for the Royal Children

Princess Alice Maud Mary, the third child and second daughter of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, arrived at Buckingham Palace 25 April 1843. Reportedly, the queen knew the severity of her labor, but the delivery itself was quite short, only … Continue reading

Posted in British history, family, George IV, Great Britain, Industrial Revolution, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

19th Century Childbirth Before and After Princess Charlotte’s Death

(This post originally appeared on Geri Walton’s Unique Histories of the 18th and 19th Century blog.)  I am writing a new Regency era novel in which a forceps birth is required. To write the scene and the ramifications of the … Continue reading

Posted in British history, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, history, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, medicine, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Eliza de Feuillide, Jane Austen’s Saucy Cousin and Sister in Marriage

What do we know of Jane Austen’s cousin, Eliza de Feuillide, other than the fact she became Henry Austen’s wife? Austen’s sister in marriage was born in Calcutta, India, on 22 December 1761 to her British parents, Philadelphia Austen (sister … Continue reading

Posted in British history, family, fashion, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, marriage, marriage customs, Regency era, Regency personalities | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments