Monthly Archives: February 2022

Turmoil in Europe and Queen Victoria’s England

Mourning was one of the great constants in Queen Victoria’s life. The Queen and her beloved Albert lost his maternal step grandmother, Princess Karoline Amalie of Hesse-Kassel, in February 1848. In her journal, Queen Victoria wrote, “My poor Albert is quite … Continue reading

Posted in Act of Parliament, British history, commerce, Great Britain, history, real life tales, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Story of the Botanics’ Sabal Palm Tree, a Living Vestige of the Regency, a Guest Post from Eliza Shearer

This post originally appeared on the Austen Authors’ blog on October 12, 2020. Enjoy! I am a proud Edinburgh resident. As such, I’m spoilt for choice when it comes to reminders of the Regency, from windows and house doors to family portraits in museums … Continue reading

Posted in Austen Authors, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Guest Post, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, Mansfield Park, real life tales, Regency era, research | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on The Story of the Botanics’ Sabal Palm Tree, a Living Vestige of the Regency, a Guest Post from Eliza Shearer

The Tolpuddle Martyrs, Changing the Face of Employment Rights in Victorian England

  This year is the 181st anniversary of when six Dorset farm labourers were sent to an Australian penal colony, but their ‘crimes’ helped change the face of employment rights for generations to come – and it all began in … Continue reading

Posted in British history, commerce, Dorset, history, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Princess Caroline, Jane Austen, and “The Regency Valentine,” a Guest Post from C. D. Gerard

This post originally appeared on the Austen Authors’ blog on October 5, 2019. Enjoy. In my “Sense and Sensibility” sequel “The Daughters of Delaford,”  Marianne and the Colonel’s daughter Allegra, and Elinor and Edward’s daughter Grace, become important players in the … Continue reading

Posted in Austen Authors, George IV, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Guest Post, history, Regency era, Regency personalities, research, Sense & Sensibility, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Princess Caroline, Jane Austen, and “The Regency Valentine,” a Guest Post from C. D. Gerard

A Suspicious Royal Birth, a Guest Post from Carole Penfield

On a frosty, winter night, there is nothing more comforting than climbing into a warm cosy bed heated by an electric blanket, or even a hot water bottle. These conveniences were not available in drafty 17th century palaces. Instead, the … Continue reading

Posted in book excerpts, book release, books, England, excerpt, Georgian Era, Guest Post, historical fiction, history, Jane Austen, publishing, reading, research, royalty, world history, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Paston Letters, the Earliest Known Archive of Private Correspondence in English

The Paston Letters is a remarkable collection of letters between different members of the Paston family, their staff and their friends. In truth, the collection might better be referred to as the Paston Archive, as the medieval section contains many … Continue reading

Posted in British history, family, history, literature, medieval | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on The Paston Letters, the Earliest Known Archive of Private Correspondence in English

Caister Castle, Only English Example of a “Wasserburg-Style Moated Castle”

A 90-foot tower is all that remains of Caister Castle, which was originally commissioned in 1432 by Sir John Fastolf, who served bravely during the 100 Year War. However, from the tower, visitors can view the castle ruins and the … Continue reading

Posted in Age of Chaucer, British history, buildings and structures | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Celebrating the Release of “An Escape to Love” with an Excerpt and a Giveaway

An Escape to Love combines two of my most recent novellas into one volume. On Friday, I shared an excerpt from “The Courtship of Lord Blackhurst.” Today, I bring you “Lord Radcliffe’s Best Friend.” Lord Radcliffe’s Best Friend  Hendrake Barrymore, … Continue reading

Posted in book excerpts, book release, excerpt, Georgian England, Georgian Era, giveaway, historical fiction, publishing, reading habits, Regency era, Regency romance, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Celebrating the Release of “An Escape to Love” + a Giveaway

An Escape to Love brings together two of my most recent novellas: “The Courtship of Lord Blackhurst” and “Lord Radcliffe’s Best Friend.” Today, we will take a look at “The Courtship of Lord Blackhurst.” The Courtship of Lord Blackhurst  What … Continue reading

Posted in book excerpts, book release, excerpt, Georgian England, Georgian Era, giveaway, heroines, historical fiction, publishing, reading habits, Regency era, Regency romance, romance, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

“To See a Fine Lady on a White Horse”

Ride a cock-horse to Banbury Cross,To see a fine lady upon a white horse;Rings on her fingers and bells on her toes,And she shall have music wherever she goes. [I. Opie and P. Opie. The Oxford Dictionary of Nursery Rhymes. Oxford: … Continue reading

Posted in British history, legends, real life tales, research, travel, writing | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on “To See a Fine Lady on a White Horse”