Category Archives: British history

Appleby-in-Westmorland, a Market Town and Home of the Biggest Horse Fair in the World

Posted on August 11, 2021 by Regina Jeffers

Appleby-in-Westmorland, the smallest county town in England with a population of 2600, lies to the east of what is referred to as “the Lake District.” Its history goes back to the 9th Century when the Vikings settled in the area. … Continue reading →

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Uffington Castle, Dragon Hill, and Wayland’s Smithy

Posted on August 9, 2021 by Regina Jeffers

To go along with my post on Friday on the preservation efforts of the White Horse, I thought I might mention other sites along the way in the Berkshire Downs. First and foremost, one must address the road that traverses … Continue reading →

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The Uffington White Horse

Posted on August 6, 2021 by Regina Jeffers

Near the village of Uffington in Oxfordshire, England, one can find a most miraculous symbol, the oldest of the English hill figures. Some 3000 years old, the Uffington White Horse is a stick figure-style horse nearly the size of a … Continue reading →

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What Exactly Did It Mean for A Clergyman to Have a “Living” Bestowed Upon Him During the Regency Period?

Posted on August 2, 2021 by Regina Jeffers

We often read in a Regency era book something to the effect of the master of the estate bestowing a “living” upon a clergyman. Exactly, what did that entail? Once the living was bestowed, could the owner of the estate … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Church of England, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, Mansfield Park, Persuasion, Pride and Prejudice, Regency era, religion, research | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

When Bad Things Come in Pairs: Siblings Who Wreaked Havoc in Austen’s Novels, a Guest Post from Amanda Kai

Posted on July 28, 2021 by Regina Jeffers

This post originally appeared on the Austen Authors’ blog on 28 May 2021. Enjoy! “Prepare for trouble. And make it double!”  While fans of the Pokemon cartoon show might associate this famous line with Team Rocket’s most inept members Jessie … Continue reading →

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Rodean School, a Victorian School for Young Girls

Posted on July 26, 2021 by Regina Jeffers

Last week when I was writing the piece on the Brighton and Rottingdean Seashore Electric Railroad, I came across a short piece on another Rottingdean (East Sussex) landmark that caught my interest. It is Roedean School, a famous private school … Continue reading →

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The Amazing “Daddy Long Legs” and Brighton’s History

Posted on July 14, 2021 by Regina Jeffers

Many of us who write Regency Romance have our tales connected to Brighton, a seaside resort some 50 miles removed from London, in East Sussex. Brighton’s popularity with the rich, famous, and royal continued in the 19th century, and saw … Continue reading →

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James and Henry Austen and “The Loiterer” ~ Literary Influences on Jane Austen

Posted on July 12, 2021 by Regina Jeffers

Many of those around her influenced Jane Austen, but Henry Austen’s and James Austen’s influences were profound. Most of Austen’s biographers believe that Henry was Austen’s favorite brother and James her least favorite. James Austen was the eldest of the … Continue reading →

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The Second Shepherds’ Play, England’s “First Comedy”

Posted on July 7, 2021 by Regina Jeffers

  The Wakefield mystery play cycle included The Second Shepherd’s Play. The author is unknown, but the play is commonly attributed to the Wakefield Master. This play dates from the latter half of the 15th Century. It is written in Middle … Continue reading →

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Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex’s Two Illegal Marriages

Posted on July 2, 2021 by Regina Jeffers

Prince Augustus Frederick was the sixth son and ninth child of King George III and Queen Charlotte. He was born at Buckingham House on 27 January 1773. He was initially tutored at home. However, in 1785, along with his brothers, … Continue reading →

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