Category Archives: buildings and structures

Princess Louise’s Charitable Work

 Although Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll, and her husband, John Campbell, 9th Duke of Argyll were often short of funds, the Princess managed to live a life her siblings could not imagine. Campbell, who was still the Marquess of Lorne … Continue reading

Posted in British history, buildings and structures, family, history, kings and queens, Living in the UK, marriage, religion, royalty, Scotland, titles of aristocracy, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Princess Louise’s Charitable Work

The Mappa Mundi, the World’s Largest Medieval Map

Housed in the Hereford Cathedreal, the Mappa Mundi is believed to the be the world’s largest medieval map. England specialized in world maps of the Middle Ages. They were drawn upon cloth or walls or animal skins.  Only those who … Continue reading

Posted in Africa, Age of Chaucer, British history, buildings and structures, Church of England, medieval, real life tales | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Gentlemen’s Clubs, a Guest Post from Brenda J. Webb

This post appeared on Austen Authors in October 2015. However, I thought it worthy of a second look, especially for those of you who devour everything to do with the Regency Era.  Mention White’s, Boodle’s or Brooks’s in a story … Continue reading

Posted in architecture, British history, buildings and structures, Georgian England, Guest Post, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The Knight Family Estate at Chawton, a Guest Post from Antoine Vanner

This guest post from Antoine Vanner in April 2017 on Austen Authors was a huge success. I though perhaps others might wish to view the wonderful pictures of Jane Austen’s “home” that Vanner shared.  The “Jane Austen House” in the … Continue reading

Posted in Austen Authors, British history, buildings and structures, Guest Blog, Guest Post, history, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, primogenture, Regency era | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

The Royal Exchange

The Royal Exchange, a trapezoid-shaped structure, was opened by Queen Elizabeth I in 1571. Cornhill and Threadneedle Streets flank the exchange. The original building was destroyed by the Great Fire in 1666. It was rebuilt in 1669 and again destroyed … Continue reading

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Half-Timbered Architectural Elements, a Tudor Construction

One of the most prominent features of Tudor and medieval architecture is what is called “half-timbered houses.” The editors of the Encyclopedia Britannica describes “Half-timber work” as a, “…method of building in which external and internal walls are constructed of … Continue reading

Posted in architecture, British history, buildings and structures, Tudors, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Crafting a Thatched Roof

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

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Georgian Commerce: The London Docks, Part V

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

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The Ceremony of Quit Rents

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

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A Walk Through Green Park from Guest Author, Joana Starnes

 This is a repeat performance from the archives  from my dear friend, Joana Starnes, who gives us a brief look at London’s Green Park, which plays a pivotal role in Ms. Starnes’s Austen-inspired The Second Chance: A Pride and Prejudice/Sense and … Continue reading

Posted in book excerpts, British history, buildings and structures, giveaway, Jane Austen, Uncategorized, writing | Tagged , , , | 66 Comments