Category Archives: British history

Legend of the Beast of Bodmin

The Beast of Bodmin, also known as the Beast of Bodmin Moor (Cornish: Best Goon Brenn) is a phantom wild cat purported to live in Cornwall, in the United Kingdom. Bodmin Moor became a centre of these sightings with occasional … Continue reading

Posted in British history, gothic and paranormal, Great Britain, legends and myths, mystery | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Legend of the Beast of Bodmin

Legend of the Black Dog in the British Isles

A black dog is the name given to a being found primarily in the folklores of the British Isles. The black dog is essentially a nocturnal apparition, often said to be associated with the Devil or a Hellhound. Its appearance … Continue reading

Posted in British history, gothic and paranormal, Great Britain, legends and myths, Living in the UK, mystery | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

UK “Real” Estate: Wimborne Minster’s Grandeur

Wimborne Minster’s Grandeur Known locally as the Minster, Wimborne Minster is the parish church of Wimborne, Dorset, England. The Minster has existed for over 1300 years and is recognised for its unusual chained library (one of only four surviving chained … Continue reading

Posted in British history, buildings and structures, religion | Tagged , , | Comments Off on UK “Real” Estate: Wimborne Minster’s Grandeur

The Concept of a “Marriage of Convenience” as a Plot Line in Jane Austen’s Novels

What hope was there for the dowerless daughters of the middle class during Jane Austen’s lifetime? Such is a topic Austen explored repeatedly in her novels. Elizabeth and Jane Bennet sought men of a like mind. The Dashwood sisters found … Continue reading

Posted in British history, customs and tradiitons, George IV, Georgian Era, Great Britain, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, Pride and Prejudice, Regency era | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on The Concept of a “Marriage of Convenience” as a Plot Line in Jane Austen’s Novels

Victorian Folklore Legend: Spring-Heeled Jack

As a native West Virginian, I grew up on the Mothman prophecies, the story line behind the 2002 movie of the same name, which was intermixed with the collapse of the Silver Bridge in Point Pleasant, West Virginia. The Mothman … Continue reading

Posted in British history, Great Britain, Ireland, legends and myths, Living in the UK, Victorian era | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Victorian Folklore Legend: Spring-Heeled Jack

Origin of “Rub-a-dub-dub” Nursery Rhyme

As part of my writing of “The Prosecution of Mr. Darcy’s Cousin,” I completed research on “Rub-A-Dub-Dub,” an English language nursery rhyme first published at the end of the eighteenth century. The nursery rhyme plays out as part of the … Continue reading

Posted in British history, language choices, legends and myths, Living in the UK, writing | Tagged , | Comments Off on Origin of “Rub-a-dub-dub” Nursery Rhyme

Maria Fagniani, Marchioness of Hertford and Regency Era Eccentric

The mistresses of the Prince Regent and his brothers were as well known. The Duke of Clarence, for example, sired ten children with Mrs Jordan, and the Duke of York’s relationship with Mary Anne Clarke caused a major scandal over … Continue reading

Posted in British history, George IV, Great Britain, Inheritance, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, real life tales, Regency era, Regency personalities | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Henry ‘Orator’ Hunt, British Radical of the Industrial Age

Henry “Orator” Hunt (6 November 1773–15 February 1835) was a British radical speaker and agitator, who advocated parliamentary reform and the repeal of the Corn Laws. Because of his rousing speeches at mass meetings held in Spa Fields in London … Continue reading

Posted in British history, George IV, Great Britain, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, political stance, real life tales, Regency era, Regency personalities, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Henry ‘Orator’ Hunt, British Radical of the Industrial Age

“Going Courting” Regency Style

“Going Courtin’” in the Regency Era Society during the Regency era expected strict propriety from its young people. Sometimes the rules were strict and unreasonable, but somehow the youth of Jane Austen’s time managed to come together. Young men of … Continue reading

Posted in British history, customs and tradiitons, dancing, Great Britain, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, Regency era | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on “Going Courting” Regency Style

The Face of Jack the Ripper Revealed

The Face of Jack the Ripper Last Monday (September 8), I included a post on The Brutality of Jack the Ripper. This is one of my favorite sources on the crime. In 2006, BBC News brought us a look at … Continue reading

Posted in British history, Living in the UK, mystery, Victorian era | Tagged , | 2 Comments