Monthly Archives: September 2024

Life Below Stairs – The ‘Pugs’ Procession of Precedence

A sense of status above stairs was to be expected among the aristocracy, but it was no less observed below stairs. For example, the lower servants often spoke poorly of the “Pug’s” Procession, which happened after the first course of … Continue reading

Posted in British history, estates, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, Regency era, servant life, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Life Below Stairs ~ Housing the Servants

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

Life Below Stairs: Rising with the Sun in Victorian England, Part II

Recently, we had a look at breakfast chores for servants in a Victorian household. See it HERE. Today, we carry on with other duties.  About a half hour after the household staff consumed their meager meal, the family was summoned … Continue reading

Posted in British history, Great Britain, servant life, Seven Years' War, Uncategorized, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Life Below Stairs: Rising with the Sun in Victorian England ~ Part I

Servants needed to be up and about their business long before the Master and the Mistress. For example, lower servants were up at 5 A.M. and at work minutes later. Most did not waste time in their rooms for they … Continue reading

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Life Below Stairs – Snobbery and Rules of Engagement

Previously, we looked at what a servant in an upper house, or even in a second-class household, of the late Regency Period or early Victorian times, might encounter. We spoke of wages, delineation of duties, and additional compensation. Today, we … Continue reading

Posted in British history, food and drink, Georgian Era, Great Britain, Living in the UK, real life tales, Regency era, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Life Below Stairs ~ The Role of the Male Servant

  The English aristocrat often lived beyond his means. Maintaining country houses (often several of them) and a large Georgian town house in Mayfair took its toll on his purse strings. In addition to owning the property, Society forced him … Continue reading

Posted in British history, Georgian Era, Great Britain, Living in the Regency, real life tales, Regency era | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Birthdays and Jane Austen

This week I mark another birthday. That makes me a Virgo.  Virgos expect perfection from themselves, and they may project those high standards on the other people in their lives. A Virgo hates when someone lets him or her down, even if … Continue reading

Posted in film adaptations, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Jane Austen, reading, real life tales, Regency era, research | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 19 Comments

Life Below Stairs – The Valet

Footmen as we learned the last time often thought to join the upper servants in the role of valet or butler. (We saw the character of Thomas Barrow work in all three positions in Downton Abbey.) Today we have a … Continue reading

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

The Thames River Police + the Release of “Crime and Culpability”

When I was writing my short story “Order and Disorder” LOTS of research was required, especially information about the policing practices in Regency Era London. One of my discoveries was the River Thames Police…. In the 18th Century, importers docking … Continue reading

Posted in book release, books, British history, George Wickham, Georgian England, Georgian Era, historical fiction, Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, publishing, Regency era, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on The Thames River Police + the Release of “Crime and Culpability”

Celebrating the Release of “Crime and Culpability” + a Giveaway

Tomorrow, September 10, marks the release of a new Jane Austen Mystery Anthology. Crime and Culpability features seven short story mysteries, including ones from Riana Everly, Jeanette Watts, Elizabeth Gilliland, Michael Rands, Linné Elizabeth, Emma Dalgety, and me. I also … Continue reading

Posted in anthology, book release, British history, eBooks, George Wickham, Georgian England, Georgian Era, giveaway | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments