Category Archives: British history

William “520 Percent” Miller, Inspiration for “Mr. Darcy’s Bargain”

In my latest release, Mr. Darcy’s Bargain, Elizabeth pleads with Darcy to save the citizens of Meryton from a scam being perpetrated upon them by Mr. Wickham. But how did I come up with the idea of this scam as … Continue reading

Posted in American History, Anglo-Normans, Austen Authors, Barbara Kyle, book excerpts, book release, books, British currency, British history, British Navy, business, Chaucer, commerce, contemporary romance, eBooks, George Wickham, Georgian Era, giveaway, historical fiction, Living in the Regency, Pride and Prejudice, real life tales, Regency romance, romance, Vagary | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

A Play from Emma Wood: “Mr Bennet’s Bride,” a Pride and Prejudice Prequel

First, before we begin, I should say that Emma is literally on the other side of the world. Where she lives it is already Thursday, November 10, so if she does not respond too quickly to comments below, it is … Continue reading

Posted in Austen actors, British history, drama, family, Georgian England, historical fiction, Jane Austen, JASNA, marriage, playwrights, Pride and Prejudice, Vagary | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Queen Victoria Chooses a Husband for Her Second Daughter, Princess Alice

 With the marriage of Victoria, Princess Royal, to the future Frederick III of Prussia, Queen Victoria turned her “matchmaking” skills upon her second daughter, Princess Alice Maud Mary. Although she promoted the idea of love matches for all her children, … Continue reading

Posted in British history, Church of England, history, kings and queens, legacy, marriage, marriage customs, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Colorful (But Lesser Known) Contemporaries of William Shakespeare, Part II

Previously, in our survey of the History of English Literature, we looked at Barnaby Barnes, John Fletcher, and Nicholas Breton. You may find that post HERE. Today we will explore the accomplishments of Sir Henry Wotton, Anthony Munday, and Raphael … Continue reading

Posted in British history, Great Britain, historical fiction, literature, Living in the UK, playwrights, poetry, reading, religion, romantic verse, Tudors | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Drambuie: Scotland’s First Commercially Produced Liqueur

To fully appreciate how Scotland claimed drambuie as its own, one must possess a general knowledge of what is known in Scottish/English history as the Rebellion of ’45. James II of England and Ireland (James VII of Scotland) converted to … Continue reading

Posted in Act of Parliament, British history, commerce, Georgian Era, kings and queens, legends and myths, real life tales, Scotland | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Celebrating the Launch of “The Renegade Wife” with Caroline Warfield + a Giveaway

Today, I welcome one of my author friends, Caroline Warfield. I love Caroline’s “Dangerous” series, and now she is back with a new series that brings the children from the “Dangerous” series to new lands.  One of the things I love … Continue reading

Posted in blog hop, book excerpts, book release, books, British history, buildings and structures, excerpt, giveaway, historical fiction, holidays, publishing, real life tales, romance | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Colorful (But Lesser Known) Contemporaries of William Shakespeare, Part I

There are a slew of contemporaries of Shakespeare of which many of you never encountered in your English classrooms, whether high school of university. These are some of the more colorful ones.  Barnaby (Barnabe) Barnes was the third son of … Continue reading

Posted in ballads, British history, drama, Elizabethan drama, Great Britain, playwrights, real life tales, religion, romantic verse | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Call for Philip Morris!!!

Recently, I did a post on the R. J. Reynolds tobacco company and Camel® cigarettes. One of my friends, who smoked Philip Morris for years, asked what I knew of the Philip Morris company beyond the advertising of “Call for … Continue reading

Posted in American History, British history, business, commerce, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Life Below Stairs: Benevolent Groups Come to the Aid of Domestic Servants

There were groups operating in London and throughout England to aid domestic servants. The most important of those were… Established in May 1846, The General Domestic Servants’ Benevolent Institution was located at 32 Sackville Street, Piccadilly. It was under the … Continue reading

Posted in British history, Living in the UK, servant life, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

The Marriage of Victoria, Princess Royal, to Prussian Prince Frederick William

Who actually first initiated the idea of a marriage between Princess Victoria Adelaide Mary Louisa of Great Britain and Prince Frederick William of Prussia is not as important as the impact of the marriage. Some think Queen Victoria’s uncle, Leopold  I, “nudged” … Continue reading

Posted in British history, family, Great Britain, history, Living in the UK, marriage, marriage customs, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments