Category Archives: British history

The Red Book of Hergest, Welsh Medieval Manuscript

Posted on October 17, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

This is one of three posts I have scheduled related to Hergest Court. We will also have a look at Sir Thomas Vaughan (October 24) and his trials with four English kings and, in celebration of all things haunted, the … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Great Britain, Wales, writing | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

A Taste of Blood ~ Exquisite Excerpts from “Vampire Darcy’s Desire”

Posted on October 16, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

A Taste of Blood… Below you will find an excerpt from Vampire Darcy’s Desire. VDD presents Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice as a heart-pounding vampire romance filled with passion and danger. Tormented by a 200-year-old curse and his fate as a half-human/half-vampire (dhampir), Mr. Darcy … Continue reading →

Posted in book excerpts, British history, excerpt, gothic and paranormal, Great Britain, Jane Austen, Regency era, Ulysses Press | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The Bloody Assizes and the Demon Judge, George Jeffreys

Posted on October 15, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

The Bloody Assizes and the Demon Judge, George Jeffreys Historical Context With the death of Oliver Cromwell in 1658, the newly-elected Parliament “restored” Charles II to the throne of England. Charles II’s reign (1660-1685) was marked by political unrest. The … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Great Britain, Living in the UK, political stance, real life tales, religion, royalty | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Adder Stones? Hag Stones? Witch Stones? Magical Powers or False Hopes?

Posted on October 13, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

Adder Stones, Hag Stones, Witch Stones…Do You Know These? Adder stones are usually glass stones with a naturally occurring stone in them. Archaeologists have found them in both Britain and Egypt. In Britain, they stones are also called hag stones, … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, customs and tradiitons, gothic and paranormal, legends and myths, Living in the UK | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Legend of the Beast of Bodmin

Posted on October 10, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

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

Posted on October 9, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

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

Posted on September 29, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

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

Posted on September 26, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

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

Posted on September 24, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

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

Posted on September 23, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

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