Reader’s Question: How difficult was it to maneuver a coach during the Regency? I want to add this element to a story I am writing.

Response: Okay, I admit up front I am not an expert on this topic. I am a city girl, first, last, and always. I do recall how many of my friends failed their driver’s tests because they could not parallel park the car. I realize I am dating myself in this era when cars can park themselves. I still despise when I must parallel park along a busy street. [If you have never parallel parked, there is a YouTube video for that. Of course, there is.]

However, that being said, a lane wide enough for a carriage to turn around would be most unlikely during this period. This would be especially true if one is talking about a coach with four horses. Consider that there are plenty of roads in England today that are too narrow for two cars to pass —someone has to back up until they hit a (marginally) wider spot in the road. In my sometimes wonky opinion, a lane in the woods sounds definitely too narrow for a U-turn.

Think upon it: With lots of hedges and rock walls in some areas, I think a writer could create a variety of set ups with a less experienced driver. Maybe when the characters leave or somewhere along the way, the regular driver becomes ill or is injured. Then maybe the apprentice is not good at backing the coach.

For those interested in the types of travel and vehicles, try this lovely post from the Jane Austen in Vermont site on Travel in Sense & Sensibility.

In addition to the narrow roads and difficulty of backing horses and carriage, one must decide is it one horse, a pair, or a team? The travelers of the time would expect to have generally terrible condition of the roads. While the major roads were in much better shape by the Regency than they had been for much of the 18th C, small local roads were often very bad. In the woods they might be even more likely to be muddy, heavily rutted, etc., all of which would make it harder. 

Now, as to backing, a veteran driver can back a team, BUT the conditions of the road, and what is on the side of the road, would be the variables he cannot control. Have you ever watched an eight-horse daft team do precision backing? As always, there are Youtube videos. HERE

In case of an accident, the horses would be unhitched, and one ridden to reach help. Depending on the size of the item blocking the road, a TRAINED horse or two could pull a tree off to the side, easy-peasy. Horses drag trees all the time. I’ve done that. You tie the rope off to the biggest part of the trunk (the bottom of the tree, not the top.) If you don’t have a harness, put the rope around the horse’s neck. Again, the horse needs to have prior training for this, but most general use horses can do it.

There are great videos on You Tube that can give a very good idea of carriages.

A four in hand during Devon competition – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1cEs1YEm-o

When things go wrong (this is with a modern low-body carriage, but the horses are going home) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6CrAbDWocQ

Single horse gig (notice how much handier these are than a team) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qr1VLq3MTJA

Lovely team (and drag — this would be how gentlemen went to sporting events since the drag has a built-in grandstand seating) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZtsAJ-xOrY

Tandem ponies (don’t let the lead horse get facing backwards or you’re done for) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-bUklX1sIk