Category Archives: British Navy

Purchasing Commissions During the Napoleonic Wars

Posted on November 18, 2020 by reginajeffers

We often read of a young gentleman purchasing a commission in either the militia or the regulars during the Regency era, but did conditions exist when a commission could not be secured? The answer is “Yes,” but there were conditions … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, British Navy, Georgian England, military, Napoleonic Wars, war | Tagged , , , , , , | 15 Comments

Austen and Portrait Artists of Her Time

Posted on September 21, 2020 by reginajeffers

There are many people who have purported the idea that Austen presenting the Pemberley housekeeper the name of “Reynolds” in Pride and Prejudice is a reference to Joshua Reynolds, the most widely known artist of the late Georgian era. After … Continue reading →

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Frances “Fanny” Austen and the Character of Mrs. Croft in Jane Austen’s “Persuasion”

Posted on September 11, 2020 by reginajeffers

Before discussing Fanny Austen, we must, first, establish the lady’s relationship to the author Jane Austen by mentioning the lady’s husband, Rear Admiral Charles John Austen (23 June 1778 – 7 October 1852), who was the sixth and youngest son … Continue reading →

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Smugglers in Kent, UK, a Plot Device for “Losing Lizzy: A Pride and Prejudice Vagary”

Posted on June 22, 2020 by reginajeffers

In my latest Austen-inspired story, Losing Lizzy: A Pride and Prejudice Vagary, smugglers in Kent were mentioned several times. Yet, what do we know of these smugglers? Daniel Defoe wrote a poem about smugglers in Deal, Kent, who turned the … Continue reading →

Posted in book release, British history, British Navy, Georgian England, Georgian Era, historical fiction, history, Jane Austen, Living in the UK, Pride and Prejudice, publishing, real life tales, Regency era, research, Vagary, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Smugglers in Kent, UK, a Plot Device for “Losing Lizzy: A Pride and Prejudice Vagary”

Rochester and Higham, Kent, UK and the Release of “Losing Lizzy: A Pride and Prejudice Vagary”

Posted on May 27, 2020 by reginajeffers

When I write my Pride and Prejudice based vagaries, I tend to place Lady Catherine de Bourgh’s fictionalize Rosings Park in the Rochester/Higham area of Kent. I choose this area for two basic reasons: (1) Rochester is about 30 miles … Continue reading →

Posted in Austen Authors, book release, British history, British Navy, buildings and structures, Church of England, estates, Georgian England, Georgian Era, historical fiction, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, Pride and Prejudice, real life tales, Regency era, research, Vagary, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Rochester and Higham, Kent, UK and the Release of “Losing Lizzy: A Pride and Prejudice Vagary”

The Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, a Year Before Thomas Jefferson’s Document

Posted on May 20, 2020 by reginajeffers

Some of you realize, I live in North Carolina, a state draped in rich history. One of those events is the the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence. A year before Thomas Jefferson’s “Declaration,” there was Meck-Dec, as we in the area … Continue reading →

Posted in American History, British history, British Navy, Declaration of Independence, Georgian England, history, political stance, research, war | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Queenborough Castle and Well + the Release of “Losing Lizzy: A Pride and Prejudice Vagary” + a Giveaway

Posted on May 15, 2020 by reginajeffers

Sheppey Castle [or Queenborough Castle] is located on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent, England. King Edward III ordered the castle and the town surrounding it built in honor of his wife, Queen Philippa. The original land came from the manor … Continue reading →

Posted in book excerpts, book release, British history, British Navy, buildings and structures, eBooks, giveaway, Jane Austen, kings and queens, medieval, Pride and Prejudice, research, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 28 Comments

Press Gangs in the Regency Era

Posted on October 14, 2019 by reginajeffers

Press gangs operated in England from medieval times, but during the war years the “tradition” was increased. In fact, the pressing of free men into military service was considered a royal prerogative. Pressgangs claimed many innocents who stumbled into the … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, British Navy, Georgian England, Great Britain, history, Living in the Regency, Napoleonic Wars, Regency era | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

When the Sun Never Set on the British Empire, a Guest Post from Elaine Owen

Posted on July 12, 2019 by reginajeffers

This post originally appeared on the Austen Authors’ blog on 24 May 2019. Enjoy!  Today I’d like to share the first of two entries regarding a business entity that played a significant role in Jane Austen’s life. This public company … Continue reading →

Posted in Austen Authors, British history, British Navy, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Guest Post, history, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, military, real life tales, Regency era, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on When the Sun Never Set on the British Empire, a Guest Post from Elaine Owen

Militia Officers During the Regency

Posted on July 8, 2019 by reginajeffers

What were the differences between the various units of militia officers during the Regency? For example, how could George Wickham in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice serve in Hertfordshire when his home shire was Derbyshire? And how was Colonel Fitzwilliam’s … Continue reading →

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