Category Archives: aristocracy

What Exactly Did It Mean to be an Officer on Half Pay in Jane Austen’s England?

Question from a follower: I’ve often wondered about the term “half-pay officer.” Does an officer who sells out still receive half pay or only officers who retire without selling their commissions (if there is such a thing). My question concerns a … Continue reading

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Crossing the Irish Sea in the Early 1800s, Not for the Faint of Heart

I have written several books of late that feature my characters traveling to Ireland from different points in England. One of the more recent ones was my Taming Lord Truist, the second book of the Strong Women Duo that accompanied … Continue reading

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“Darcy’s Passions” Excerpt – As Elizabeth’s Betrothed, Darcy Dines at Longbourn

Back in 2012, I was part of a project where a group of authors revisited Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and retold scenes from the points of view of the other characters. This excerpt revisits the later part of Austen’s classic. This is … Continue reading

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Question from a Reader: All Things Dealing with Debtor’s Prison During the Regency Era

QUESTION: I am writing about a widow whose husband was reckless with money and left her with nothing when he died. She lives in a small village. If she has incurred debts to tradesmen, etc., and cannot pay, what danger/threat does she face? I … Continue reading

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Question from a Reader: Is “Debutant” the Correct Word for a Girl Making Her Society “Debut” in the Regency Era?

Okay, to the best of my knowledge the term “debutant” was later than the Regency Era. The word “debutante” is of later vintage than the Regency. She would be referred to as “coming out”, per Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park, where … Continue reading

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Dance Sets at a Ball or a Country Assembly in the Regency Era?

Though I thought I had covered the idea of dance sets in last Fridays piece on “Dance Cards,” evidently there was still some confusion, so I will try this again. QUESTION FROM A READER: My understanding is that in balls, … Continue reading

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Expunging Criminal Records in the Regency Era

A reader recently wrote to ask me what I knew of expunging criminal records during the Regency Era. In truth, I knew some, but not all of the ins and out of this process. Question from a Reader: Was expungement … Continue reading

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Dance Cards in the Regency Era? Yea or Nay?

Recently, I again had a writer ask me about the use of dance cards in the Regency. In truth, I have not found any period references to hostesses having dance cards for her guests. Thomas Wilson never mentions them in … Continue reading

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When Could a Marriage Be Annuled in the Regency Era? + the Upcoming Release of “Lyon on the Inside” from Dragonblade Publishing, Arriving 24 June 2026

In this tale, the heroine is still a few weeks short of reaching her majority, and her father despises the hero for reasons not explained until the climax of this last book in the series. So what were the general … Continue reading

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Fireworks in the Regency Era + the Upcoming Release of “Lyon on the Inside” from Dragonblade Publishing, Arriving 24 June 2026

Were there fireworks in the Regency Era? This is what Jane Austen wrote to her sister Cassandra, dated 2 June 1799 There is to be a grand gala on Tuesday evening in Sydney Gardens, a concert, with illuminations and fireworks. … Continue reading

Posted in aristocracy, book release, books, British history, customs and tradiitons, Dragonblade Publishers, eBooks, Elizabeth I, England, Georgian England, Georgian Era, hero, heroines, historical fiction, history, Jane Austen, kings and queens, Living in the Regency, mystery, publishing, reading, real life tales, Regency era, Regency personalities, Regency romance, research, romance, suspense | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments