Category Archives: British history

A Precious Piece of English Architecture: Lincoln Cathedral

The Lincoln Cathedral is the third largest English cathedral and one the prime examples of Gothic architecture. It is a sight that can easily steal away one’s breath. Its long nave crowns the hilltop 200 feet above the River Witham, … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, British history, buildings and structures, gothic and paranormal, history, medieval, real life tales, religion, research | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Milton Abbas, the First Planned Village in England

Dating back to 1773, Milton Abbas is a village in Dorset, eight miles south of Blandford and eleven miles northeast of Dorchester. Under the instructions of Lord Milton, the town of Middleton was, literally, moved elsewhere.  Middleton was originally within … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, buildings and structures, Georgian England, Georgian Era, research, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Milton Abbas, the First Planned Village in England

A War Between the U.S. and the U.K. Over a Pig

We are all aware of the history of “disagreements” between the United States and England that resulted in the American Revolution and the War of 1812, but what do you know of the 1859 Pig War? Never heard of it? … Continue reading →

Posted in American History, British history, England, Great Britain, history, military, real life tales, war | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Origin of the Drama – Everyman and The Second Shepherd’s Play

Morality Plays, those in which the characters were allegorical persons would attempt to drive home a moral. They provided more scope to the imagination for new plots and incidents and afforded a  chance for delineation of characters. (For more information … Continue reading →

Posted in Age of Chaucer, Anglo-Normans, Anglo-Saxons, British history, Chaucer, Church of England, drama, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Jane Austen’s “Northanger Abbey” – Who Are Catherine Morland and the Tilneys?

What do we know of Catherine Morland and the Tilneys in Austen’s “Northanger Abbey”? Much of the description of the Abbey and of the Tilneys come to us from Austen’s heroine, Catherine Morland. Catherine comes to Bath with dreams of … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Great Britain, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, real life tales, Regency era | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Jane Austen’s “Northanger Abbey” – Literary References Found Within

Previously, I looked at the history of the writing of Austen’s “first” and “last” novel. Today, we will spend a bit of time with the themes addressed, literary references, etc. Later, we will have a closer look at the main characters … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Great Britain, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, real life tales, Regency era | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Jane Austen’s “Northanger Abbey” – The Writing of the Novel

Today, a bit of background of the novel… Many Austen fans are not aware that NORTHANGER ABBEY was the first novel Jane Austen wrote. It was true that Austen started what were later to be titled SENSE AND SENSIBILITY and … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Great Britain, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, real life tales, Regency era | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

The Opera in Jane Austen’s London

I think you judge very wisely in putting off your London visit, and I am mistaken if it be not put off for some time. You speak with such noble resignation of Mrs. Jordan and the Opera House, that it … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, Regency era, theatre | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Origin of a Sea Shantie: “What Shall We Do with the Drunken Sailor?”

“What Shall We Do with the Drunken Sailor?” was a work song, mainly sung on ships with a large number of crewmen. According to Song Facts, it is one of the oldest Anglo-Saxon sea shanties, one sung by the Indiamen … Continue reading →

Posted in American History, British history, British Navy, music, tradtions | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Courts of Chancery, Barristers, and Solicitors

In the 15th Century, the Court of Chancery or of “equity” developed. It was under the lord high chancellor and provided an outlet for cases where results were not obtainable in the courts of common law. The courts of common … Continue reading →

Posted in Act of Parliament, British history, buildings and structures, Georgian England, history | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments