Category Archives: British history

Very “Real” Estate: Axminster

Axminster is a market town and civil parish of about 6,000 on the eastern border of Devon. The town is built upon a hill and overlooks the River Axe. The town dates back to around 300 BC. There was once … Continue reading

Posted in British history, buildings and structures, commerce, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Industrial Revolution, real life tales | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Lack of “Reality” in Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” ~ Does it Matter?

In Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, we often think of the story as being a depiction of the Regency era. But does it truly speak to the time? If so, would not Elizabeth Bennet be more sensitive to her family’s … Continue reading

Posted in British history, historical fiction, Jane Austen, political stance, Pride and Prejudice, reading habits | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Regency Men’s Wear: The Coat

During the Regency era, men’s fashion changed dramatically from the powered-wig peacocks of the late 1700s. Throughout the last decade of the 18th Century, men continued to wear the coat, waistcoat, and breeches.  However, changes were seen in both the fabric used … Continue reading

Posted in British history, fashion, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, Regency era, research | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Why Gretna Green? Marriage Over the Anvil, a Guest Post by Alexa Adams

This post originally appeared on Austen Authors on 23 February 2018. Enjoy!!  “I am going to Gretna Green, and if you cannot guess with who, I shall think you a simpleton, for there is but one man in the world … Continue reading

Posted in British history, Church of England, customs and tradiitons, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Guest Post, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, marriage, marriage customs, marriage licenses, Regency era, Scotland | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Why Gretna Green? Marriage Over the Anvil, a Guest Post by Alexa Adams

A Closer Look at “The Disappearance of Georgiana Darcy”

When writing any mystery, the author cannot just have a murderer and a victim. He/She must also have suspects, red herrings (false clues), motives, and deception. There must be a balance between the suspense and the story’s pace must be … Continue reading

Posted in book excerpts, British history, gothic and paranormal, Industry News/Publishing, Jane Austen, legends and myths, Scotland, Ulysses Press, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The Arts of Fencing and Dueling, a Guest Post from Rebecca Jamison

This post originally appeared on Austen Authors on 9 March 2018.  For the last several months, I have gone to fencing classes with a group of ninth graders. The instructor told us that fencing has changed very little over the … Continue reading

Posted in American History, British history, England, George Wickham, Georgian Era, Guest Post, history, Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, reading, tradtions, weaponry | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on The Arts of Fencing and Dueling, a Guest Post from Rebecca Jamison

UK “Real” Estate: Coggeshall Abbey in Essex

In 1140, Coggeshall Abbey was founded by King Stephen and his wife Matilda as a Sauvignac Abbey.. It was designed to house the monks of the Savigniac order. The earliest English use of bricks as building materials can be found … Continue reading

Posted in Age of Chaucer, Anglo-Normans, Anglo-Saxons, British history, buildings and structures, history | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Scandal Abounds in Brocket Hall’s History

The official Brocket Hall website tells us, “Brocket Hall has one of the most intriguing of any of the great houses of Britain. Indeed the scent of scandal can be found in the fabric of the building back to its … Continue reading

Posted in British history, buildings and structures, George IV, Georgian England, Georgian Era, peerage, real life tales, Victorian era, William IV | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

A Walk in Jane Austen’s Shoes, a Guest Post from Sophie Turner

This post originally appeared on Austen Authors on February 16, 2018. I thought you might enjoy the lovely images Ms. Turner shares.  My series on resort towns and my travels has thus far only tangentially touched on Jane Austen, but … Continue reading

Posted in British history, Georgian England, Guest Post, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, real life tales, Regency era, Regency personalities | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on A Walk in Jane Austen’s Shoes, a Guest Post from Sophie Turner

“Very Real” Estate ~ Whitehaven, A Port City on England’s Western Coastline

Whitehaven is a Georgian town situated on the west coast of Cumbria. It was one of the first post-Renaissance planned towns in England. At the end of the 16th Century, Whitehaven consisted of less than a dozen thatched cottages. By … Continue reading

Posted in American History, British history, buildings and structures, Living in the UK, real life tales | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments