Monthly Archives: April 2021

A Great Hoax: Sawing Off Manhattan Island

Posted on April 30, 2021 by Regina Jeffers

Whether this story of true or not, it does make a fabulous read. “Supposedly,” in 1824, a retired ship carpenter convinced the people of New York that the southern tip of Manhattan Island was getting too heavy because of the … Continue reading →

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What Do You Know of Gail Borden, American Inventor of “Condensed Milk”?

Posted on April 28, 2021 by Regina Jeffers

Born November 9, 1801 in New York state, Borden spent parts of his childhood in New York, Kentucky, and Indiana. When his father expressed a desire for more fertile lands than he owned in New York, the elder Borden made … Continue reading →

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Courts of Chancery, Barristers, and Solicitors

Posted on April 26, 2021 by Regina Jeffers

In the 15th Century, the Court of Chancery or of “equity” developed. It was under the lord high chancellor and provided an outlet for cases where results were not obtainable in the courts of common law. The courts of common … Continue reading →

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Genderlessness in Jane Austen’s “Emma,” a Guest Post from Lelia Eye

Posted on April 23, 2021 by Regina Jeffers

This post originally appeared on the Austen Authors’ blog on February 11, 2021. There is lots within the post to ponder. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. I have been facing rather bad morning sickness which … Continue reading →

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The Real-Life Myles Standish’s Influence on “The Courtship of Lord Blackhurst”

Posted on April 21, 2021 by Regina Jeffers

As my previous two posts on John Alden and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow have indicated, my most recent tale, “The Courtship of Lord Blackhurst” was inspired by Longfellow’s narrative poem, “The Courtship of Myles Standish.” Other than the knowledge of Standish … Continue reading →

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John Alden’s Influence on the Release of “The Courtship of Lord Blackhurst” + a Giveaway

Posted on April 19, 2021 by Regina Jeffers

My story, “The Courtship of Lord Blackhurst,” is heavily influenced by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s “The Courtship of Miles Standish.” Many of the characters names, for example, derive from the poem. However, in Longfellow’s narrative, John Alden speaks to Priscilla Mullins because his … Continue reading →

Posted in American History, book excerpts, book release, British history, Dreamstone Publishing, excerpt, Georgian England, Georgian Era, giveaway, historical fiction, history, Living in the Regency, marriage, marriage customs, publishing, real life tales, Regency era, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s Influence on “The Courtship of Lord Blackhurst” + a Giveaway

Posted on April 16, 2021 by Regina Jeffers

According to Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: A Maine Historical Society Website, “Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was a commanding figure in the cultural life of nineteenth-century America. Born in Portland, Maine, in 1807, he became a national literary figure by the 1850s, and a … Continue reading →

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Black Monday Tragedy

Posted on April 14, 2021 by Regina Jeffers

 Black Monday was the Monday after Easter on 13 April 1360, during the Hundred Years’ War (1337 – 1360). The Hundred Years’ War began in 1337; by 1359, King Edward III of England was actively attempting to conquer France. In October, … Continue reading →

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A Painting Inspired by a Jane Austen Novel? a Guest Post from Eliza Shearer

Posted on April 9, 2021 by Regina Jeffers

This post originally appeared on the Austen Authors’ blog on 2 February 2021. About year ago, on a visit to the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow, I came across a delightful painting that immediately set my imagination flying.  … Continue reading →

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The Mont Blanc Tragedy During World War I

Posted on April 7, 2021 by Regina Jeffers

Any historical fiction writer worth her salt spends a great deal of time doing research. I was specifically looking for tunnel fires for a plot line I was envisioning. I found a great deal on the Mont Blanc tunnel fire … Continue reading →

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