Category Archives: British history

Jane Austen and the Rise of the Novel, a Guest Post from Victoria Kincaid

Posted on June 13, 2017 by Regina Jeffers

Here is another guest post from one of my fellow Austen Authors. Victoria Kincaid takes us on the search for the “novel.”   I remember the moment in college when I realized that the novel was a relatively recent writing form. … Continue reading →

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Yorkshire’s Legendary “Blind Jack” Metcalf, Extraordinary Road Builder

Posted on June 9, 2017 by Regina Jeffers

What do you know of  Yorkshire’s legendary hero, “Blind Jack (John Metcalf)”? JOHN METCALF was born at Knaresborough, on the 15 August, 1717 in a thatched cottage opposite Knaresborough Castle. Metcalf was considered a a pioneer in road construction. Between … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, history, Living in the UK | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

Sir Walter Scott, the Historical Romance, and the Creation of a National Identity – Part I

Posted on June 8, 2017 by Regina Jeffers

  Walter Scott was the first great writer to recognize the potential of historical romance as a “dramatic narration of national history, a modern commercial equivalent of the old national epic. Scott’s Waverley novels started out as the romance of … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, historical fiction, Living in the Regency, publishing, real life tales, romantic verse, writing | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Princess Louise Marries a Commoner

Posted on June 5, 2017 by Regina Jeffers

 In March 1871, Princess Louise Carolina Alberta, fourth daughter and sixth child of Queen Victoria married John Douglas Sutherland Campbell, Marquis of Lorne and heir to the dukedom of Argyll , which created quite a stir. In 1870, Lorne was … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, family, marriage, Scotland, titles of aristocracy, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

A Gest of Robyn Hode, a Robin Hood Folk Ballad

Posted on June 2, 2017 by Regina Jeffers

In 1560, William Copeland printed the fragments of the various Robin Hood folk dramas. The “plays” were likely performed by mummers and strolling players for a century or more before Copeland printed them. A Gest of Robyn Hode A Gest … Continue reading →

Posted in ballads, British history, Canterbury tales, drama, literature, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Crafting a Thatched Roof

Posted on June 1, 2017 by Regina Jeffers

We all admire the idea of a cottage with a thatched roof, but what are the practicalities?  History: Thatching roofs can be traced to the Bronze Age. In Dorset, one can observe the remains of a round hut that displays … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, British history, buildings and structures, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

A Bit About Horses, Guest Blog from Jude Knight + Release of “A Raging Madness” + a Giveaway

Posted on May 18, 2017 by Regina Jeffers

Today, I welcome my internet friend, Jude Knight, with a bit about her research on horses and the latest release in The Golden Redepennings series, plus a GIVEAWAY.  My qualifications for writing about horses are ten years as a Riding … Continue reading →

Posted in book excerpts, book release, British history, eBooks, excerpt, family, Georgian England, Guest Blog, Guest Post, historical fiction, Living in the Regency, marriage, Napoleonic Wars, Regency era, Regency romance, romance, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Georgian Commerce: The London Docks, Part V

Posted on May 17, 2017 by Regina Jeffers

In Roman and medieval times, ships tended to dock at small quays in the present-day  city of London or Southwark an area known as the Pool of London. However, this gave no protection against the elements, was vulnerable to thieves and suffered from … Continue reading →

Posted in British currency, British history, buildings and structures, business, commerce, Georgian England | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

The Bow Street Runners and The Prosecution of Mr. Darcy’s Cousin, a 2016 Finalist for the Chanticleer International Book Awards

Posted on May 16, 2017 by Regina Jeffers

 In my newest cozy mystery, The Prosecution of Mr. Darcy’s Cousin, the character of Thomas Cowan makes a repeat performance. Readers met Cowan as a friend of and former sergeant serving under Colonel Fitzwilliam during the Spanish campaign of the … Continue reading →

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

The Ceremony of Quit Rents

Posted on May 11, 2017 by Regina Jeffers

Have you ever heard of this tradition? The Ceremony of Quit Rents is the oldest legal ceremony in England (other than the coronation). It occurs between St Michael’s Day (October 11) and St Martin’s Day (November 11). On October 17, … Continue reading →

Posted in Age of Chaucer, British history, buildings and structures, customs and tradiitons, kings and queens, Living in the UK | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on The Ceremony of Quit Rents