Category Archives: British history

Have You Heard of the Oxford Electric Bell?

Posted on March 17, 2015 by Regina Jeffers

The Oxford Electric Bell or Clarendon Dry Pile is an experimental electric bell that was set up in 1840 and which has run almost continuously ever since, apart from occasional short interruptions caused by high humidity. It was “one of … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, Bells, British history, Great Britain, real life tales, Uncategorized, Victorian era | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Are You Familiar with “Franklin Bells”?

Posted on March 16, 2015 by Regina Jeffers

Franklin bells (also known as Gordon’s Bells or Lightning bells) are an early demonstration of electric charge designed to work with a Leyden jar. Franklin bells are only a qualitative indicator of electric charge and were used for simple demonstrations … Continue reading →

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Lozenge, Heraldry for Women

Posted on March 12, 2015 by Regina Jeffers

One of yesterday’s words was “lozenge.” It brought my interest and sent me looking for a tidbit or two on the topic.The lozenge in heraldry is a diamond-shaped charge (an object that can be placed on the field of the … Continue reading →

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Rame Head

Posted on March 10, 2015 by Regina Jeffers

Rame Head is a coastal headland, southwest of the village of Rame in southeast Cornwall, United Kingdom. The area plays a prominent role in the climax of my Regency romance, The First Wives’ Club, which earned an honorable mention in historical … Continue reading →

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Have You Heard of “Forlorn Hope”?

Posted on March 9, 2015 by Regina Jeffers

From 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica, we find “forlorn hope” as defined as, “FORLORN HOPE (through Dutch verloren hoop, from Ger. verlorene Haufe=”lost troop”; Haufe, “heap,” being equivalent in the 17th century to “body of troops”; the French equivalent is enfants perdu), … Continue reading →

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Do You Know the Origins of These Words and Phrases?

Posted on March 6, 2015 by Regina Jeffers

Iron Curtain – This phrase was coined after World War II by Prime Minister Winston Churchill of Great Britain to describe the rise of Russian influence over Eastern Europe. Churchill found the rigid censorship of the citizenry and the closing … Continue reading →

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King George III’s Children – Part 2

Posted on March 3, 2015 by Regina Jeffers

King George III’s Children – Part 2 Before succumbing to his illness, George III had a sometime tempestuous relationship with members of his family. The king’s second son, Prince Frederick, Duke of York, found himself in a scandal, along with … Continue reading →

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The Children of King George III

Posted on March 2, 2015 by Regina Jeffers

The Children of King George  George III’s and Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz’s many children and grandchildren included: (1) George Augustus Frederick, Prince of Wales (and later King George IV) was the heir apparent (1762-1830). George IV married Caroline of Brunswick. Princess … Continue reading →

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An Age of Indulgence, Supper with the Prince Regent

Posted on February 26, 2015 by Regina Jeffers

This long excerpt comes from “The Age of Indulgence” in Venetia Murray’s An Elegant Madness: High Society in Regency England. It is the menu for a supper served on 15 January 1817 by Careme at the Prince Regent’s Brighton Pavilion. There … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, food, Great Britain, Living in the Regency, real life tales, Regency era | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

A Regency Era Breakfast: Various Times to Eat

Posted on February 19, 2015 by Regina Jeffers

How did those in Regency London begin their days? The answer is not so simple. The various social classes went about their days in their distinct ways. They rose and ate at different times depending on their class structure. There was … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, food, Great Britain, Living in the Regency, Regency era | Tagged , , , | 14 Comments