Category Archives: British history

Militia Officers in Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”

What was the difference between the militia officers found in Regency-based novels such as Mr. Wickham in Pride and Prejudice and the Regulars, such as Colonel Fitzwilliam, in the same book? At the time of the war with Napoleon, Great … Continue reading

Posted in Austen actors, British history, George Wickham, Georgian England, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, military, Napoleonic Wars, Pride and Prejudice, Regency era | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 43 Comments

Were Ambulances Available in the Regency Era?

I had a question from one of my readers recently. She had read a book set in the Regency era, and, in it, an ambulance was called for to fetch a patient to a hospital. Naturally, she wanted to know … Continue reading

Posted in British history, England, Georgian England, Georgian Era, history, Living in the Regency, medicine, Napoleonic Wars, real life tales, Regency era, research | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Ink, Writing, Washing It Off, Etc. – Questions from a Reader/Writer

QUESTION FROM A READER/WRITER: I am curious about ink used for writing, especially how indelible it was when spilled or splashed on someone. If it gets on skin or cloth, how easy was it to remove? I think there might … Continue reading

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Use of the Word “Dowager” During the Regency Era

In the Regency, the word dowager was used in newspapers, letters, the Gazette,  and on letters. One was never addressed as a “Dowager.” One does not say, “Good day, Dowager Countess.” The woman is simply addressed as a “Lady So-and-So.” … Continue reading

Posted in British history, customs and tradiitons, Georgian England, Georgian Era, history, language choices, Living in the Regency, Regency era, titles of aristocracy, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

The Do’s and Don’t’s of Writing of a Peer’s Time in the Houses of Parliament

When writing British Regencies and other historicals set in the 1700s and 1800s, one must know something of inheritance laws, as well as how Parliament operated during those times. Below, you will find a mishmash of facts I have learned, … Continue reading

Posted in Act of Parliament, aristocracy, British history, buildings and structures, England, Georgian England, Georgian Era, history, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, peerage, Regency era, research | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on The Do’s and Don’t’s of Writing of a Peer’s Time in the Houses of Parliament

The Amazing Wisdom of Thomas Jefferson: The Man. The Myth.

As this coming Tuesday is election day, I thought I might share something of the man who largely wrote our country’s “Declaration of Independence.” I found this most agreeable as Jefferson’s holds a place on my family tree. Moreover, this … Continue reading

Posted in America, American History, British history, Declaration of Independence, England, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Regency era, research, world history | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on The Amazing Wisdom of Thomas Jefferson: The Man. The Myth.

All Hallow’s Eve During the Regency

For this piece, I pulled together bits of information on All Hallow’s Eve from a variety of sources, all of which are cited within the post. I hope you enjoy learning of some of Halloween’s traditions.  All Hallow’s Eve (Halloween … Continue reading

Posted in British history, history, holidays, Ireland, Jane Austen, legends, legends and myths, medieval, Northanger Abbey, real life tales, religion, Scotland, Wales | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on All Hallow’s Eve During the Regency

Condemned by the Church of England and the Catholic Church, Yet … Famous Suicides in the Regency Era

Suicide was condemned by the Church of England, as well as the Catholic church during the Regency. In the late Georgian Era, one who was named as having committed suicide was to be buried naked, at the crossroads with a … Continue reading

Posted in Act of Parliament, British history, Church of England, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, history, political stance, Regency era, religion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Just for Halloween: the Witchcraft Acts in Great Britain

The UK Parliament website tells us, “In 1542 Parliament passed the Witchcraft Act which defined witchcraft as a crime punishable by death. It was repealed five years later, but restored by a new Act in 1562.   “A further law was … Continue reading

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John Francis Attempted to Kill Queen Victoria Twice

On May 29, 1842, Prince Albert and Queen Victoria were returning to their home at Buckingham Palace from Sunday morning services at the royal chapel at St. James’s Palace when what Albert later described as “a little, swarthy, ill-looking radical” … Continue reading

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