Category Archives: British history

Wimborne Minster’s Grandeur

Posted on December 14, 2012 by Regina Jeffers

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 libraries in the world). The Minster, … Continue reading →

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Body Snatching and Resurrectionists

Posted on December 13, 2012 by Regina Jeffers

Body Snatching was the removal of bodies from graveyards, usually for the purpose of using the corpses as cadavers for the 19th Century medical schools. Those who practiced body snatching were referred to as resurrectionists or resurrection-men. As opposed to … Continue reading →

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Manners in Regency England – How To Behave Like an Aristocrat

Posted on December 12, 2012 by Regina Jeffers

Regency Era manners were based on the conduct of the upper crust of Renaissance Italy, as well as 17th Century France. The fashions and the codes of conduct were influenced by both, but the Regency Period carved out a specific … Continue reading →

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The Rame Head or Cornwall’s “Forgotten Corner”

Posted on December 11, 2012 by Regina Jeffers

Rame Head is a coastal headland, southwest of the village of Rame in southeast Cornwall, United Kingdom. The area plays a prominent role in my Regency romance, The First Wives’ Club, which recently received an honorable mention in SOLA’s Seventh Annual Dixie … Continue reading →

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Regency Era Lexicon – Continues with the Letter “S”

Posted on December 10, 2012 by Regina Jeffers

s. – the abbreviation for shilling (a shilling is a English silver coin worth twelvepence; 20 shillings = one pound) Sabbatarians – VERY strict observers of the Sabbath sack – a dry white wine from Spain St. Giles – a … Continue reading →

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Jane Austen and The British Royal Navy

Posted on December 5, 2012 by Regina Jeffers

In referring to the cult-like following of those who extolled all things involving Admiral Horatio Nelson, Jane Austen once wrote, “I am sick of Lives of Nelson.” Yet, the author always appreciated the lives of men in the Royal Navy. … Continue reading →

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Regency Era Lexicon – “R” Is Next on Our List

Posted on December 4, 2012 by Regina Jeffers

R. A. – member of the Royal Academy, which was founded by George III Radcliffe, Ann – was an English author, and a pioneer of the Gothic novel. Her style is romantic in its vivid descriptions of landscapes, and long travel … Continue reading →

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Northanger Horrid Novels

Posted on November 30, 2012 by Regina Jeffers

I wanted to introduce our visitors to what are known as the Northanger Horrid Novels, seven early Gothic examples of fiction. These books were among the many published by Minerva Press in the late 1700s and early 1800s. William Lane … Continue reading →

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Regency Era Lexicon – The Letters “P” and “Q”

Posted on November 29, 2012 by Regina Jeffers

packet – a ship carrying mail (and occasionally passengers) along a regularly defined route packman – a peddler of ladies’ goods (linen and cotton) paddock – a horse pasture page – a boy hired to run errands, etc. palace – … Continue reading →

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Adder Stones, Hag Stones, Witch Stones…Do You Know These?

Posted on November 28, 2012 by Regina Jeffers

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, witch stones, serpent’s eggs, or snake’s eggs. In Wales, … Continue reading →

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