Category Archives: British history

Regency Happenings: The Year Without Summer

Posted on June 4, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

The Year Without a Summer (also known as the Poverty Year, Year There Was No Summer, and Eighteen Hundred and Froze to Death) was 1816, in which severe summer climate abnormalities resulted in major food shortages. Much of the cause … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Great Britain, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, mystery, Napoleonic Wars, real life tales, Regency era | Tagged | 1 Comment

During the Reign of George IV: The Red Barn Murders

Posted on May 30, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

The Red Barn Murder was a notorious murder committed in Polstead, Suffolk, England, in 1827. A young woman, Maria Marten, was shot dead by her lover, William Corder. The two had arranged to meet at the Red Barn, a local … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, buildings and structures, George IV, Great Britain, mystery | Tagged | 2 Comments

UK Real Estate: Brentford, Childhood Residence of Pocahontas, Pamunkey princess, and Much More

Posted on May 29, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

Brentford is a town in west London, England and part of the London Borough of Hounslow, at the confluence of the River Brent and the Thames, 8 miles (13 km) west-by-southwest of Charing Cross. It was historically part of the … Continue reading →

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Regency Happenings: The Ratcliff Highway Murders ~ WhoDunIt???

Posted on May 26, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

The Ratcliff Highway murders (sometimes Ratcliffe Highway murders) were two vicious attacks on two separate families that resulted in seven fatalities. The two attacks occurred within twelve days in December 1811, in homes half a mile apart near Wapping in … Continue reading →

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William Henry Fox Talbot, British Inventor and Photography Pioneer

Posted on May 13, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

William Henry Fox Talbot (11 February 1800 – 17 September 1877) was a British inventor and photography pioneer who invented the calotype process, a precursor to photographic processes of the 19th and 20th centuries. Talbot was also a noted photographer … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Living in the UK, real life tales, Victorian era | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

If the Shoe Fits… a Guest Post from Best-Selling Author, Lucinda Brant

Posted on May 6, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

Today I welcome LUCINDA BRANT, a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Georgian historical romances and mysteries. Her novels have been described as from ‘the Golden Age of romance with a modern voice’ and ‘heart wrenching drama with … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, customs and tradiitons, fashion, Georgian Era, Great Britain, Living in the UK, royalty | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

British Thoroughbred Racing History

Posted on May 5, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

With the onset of the Triple Crown in America, I thought we might take a look at the British thoroughbred racing history. I have used “horses” and “racing” several times as part of story lines, most recently in the novellas … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Great Britain, Living in the UK, real life tales | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Maria Kinnaird, Mid-Victorian Socialite and Hostess

Posted on May 2, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

Maria Kinnaird (1810–1891) was born on St. Vincent, but was orphaned by a volcanic eruption and she was adopted by the politician “Conversation Sharp.” (See my March 29 post on Sharp.) Sharp was once considered possibly to be the most … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, political stance, real life tales, Victorian era | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

King of Clubs, Whig Conversation Club of the Early Regency Period

Posted on April 30, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

The King of Clubs was a famous Whig conversation club, founded in 1798. In contrast to its mainly Tory forerunner The Club (established by Samuel Johnson, Edmund Burke and Sir Joshua Reynolds), it was a predominantly Whig fraternity of some … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, George IV, Great Britain, language choices, Living in the Regency, political stance, real life tales, Regency personalities, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

“Conversation” Sharp – Victorian, Richard Sharp, Doyen of the Conversationalists

Posted on April 29, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

Richard Sharp, FRS, FSA (1759 – 30 March 1835), also known as “Conversation” Sharp, was a hat-maker, banker, merchant, poet, critic, British politician, but above all – doyen of the conversationalists. Family Background Sharp was born in Newfoundland. His father, … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Great Britain, language choices, political stance, real life tales, Uncategorized, Victorian era | Tagged , | 4 Comments