Category Archives: British history

Regency Era Lexicon – We’re Up to the Letter “L”

Posted on November 7, 2012 by Regina Jeffers

£ – symbol for the pound, a monetary unit Ladies’ Mile – a road in Hyde Park set aside for women Lady – used in the following manner: colloquially used for a man’s wife; the wife of a baronet or … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Jane Austen, Regency era | 6 Comments

Women Writers in Jane Austen’s Time

Posted on November 5, 2012 by Regina Jeffers

Novels during the early Regency were geared toward the female reader; therefore, the door opened, if only a crack, for the female writer to step through. The female writers of the time assisted Jane Austen in several ways, among them … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Jane Austen, Regency era, writing | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Regency Era Lexicon – the Letters “I” and “J” and “K”

Posted on November 1, 2012 by Regina Jeffers

Imperial – the term “imperial” designated the officially adopted uniform system of weights and measures that replaced the MANY different standards that the English had used prior to 1820 Impropriate – tithes made to a layman rather than to a … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Regency era | 4 Comments

Regency Era Lexicon – Time for the Letter “H”

Posted on October 23, 2012 by Regina Jeffers

Haberdasher – a man who dealt with small items for sewing, such as thread, needles, buttons, ribbons, etc. Hack – a general-purpose riding horse; not used for hunting or military purposes Hackney Coach – one for hire; the taxicabs of the … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Jane Austen, Regency era | 4 Comments

Regency Era Lexicon – The Fifth Letter is “E”

Posted on October 4, 2012 by Regina Jeffers

Earnest Money – the first installment of a financial bargain; often the master of a household hiring a servant at a hiring fair offered earnest money to secure the person’s services Easter term – one of the terms of the law courts … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Regency era | 2 Comments

The Bloody Assizes and the Demon Judge, George Jeffreys

Posted on October 1, 2012 by Regina Jeffers

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 ruling class split into two parties: the Whigs and … Continue reading →

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Regency Fashion for Women

Posted on September 17, 2012 by Regina Jeffers

The graceful style for women of the early 19th Century is known as the Empire style. Tightly laced corsets were overthrown for the more natural flowing gown. By the end of the 1790s, the Empire cut, which had begun as … Continue reading →

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A Regency Lexicon – And Then There Was “D”

Posted on September 13, 2012 by Regina Jeffers

A Regency Lexicon The Daily Courant – England’s first daily newspaper; founded in 1702 Damask – a fancy silk or linen fabric used for table linen; usually had a flower design raised “Dark Lady” – sometimes used to refer to … Continue reading →

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What is in a 17th Century Witch Bottle?

Posted on September 5, 2012 by Regina Jeffers

In writing my next novel, “The Mysterious Death of Mr. Darcy,” I have been exploring many of the superstitions and beliefs of 18th Century England. In doing so, I have looked at fairies, the Cerne Giant, and witchcraft. One of … Continue reading →

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Death and Dying in Regency England

Posted on August 17, 2012 by Regina Jeffers

As with any good (or bad) mystery, there are several deaths in my next Jane Austen adaptation/sequel, The Mysterious Death of Mr. Darcy. However, death and funerals were not on the order of present day “farewells.” If one has ever … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, gothic and paranormal, real life tales, Regency era | 9 Comments