Category Archives: castles

The Headless Horseman and the House of Dun

 We have all heard of the Headless Horseman. Surely, you know something of the tale written by Washington Irving in 1820: “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” However, did you realize that the Headless Horseman had been a much used motif … Continue reading

Posted in British history, castles, Georgian Era, legends, legends and myths, Scotland, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Happy 6th Book Birthday to The Earl Claims His Comfort: Book 2 of The Twins’ Trilogy

On 4 August 2023, I shared an excerpt from Book 1 of the Twins’ Trilogy, Angel Comes to the Devil’s Keep, Book 1 of the Twins’ Trilogy, for that book was celebrating its 7th’s Book Birthday. Today I have an … Continue reading

Posted in book excerpts, book release, books, British history, castles, estates, family, Georgian Era, Great Britain, historical fiction, Living in the Regency, marriage customs, medicine, mystery, primogenture, Regency era, Regency romance, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Statute of Wills, Henry VIII’s Answer to Primogeniture

The Statute of Wills (32 Hen. 8, c. 1 – enacted in 1540) was an English Act of Parliament, which created a mechanism for landowners to name who would inherit their landed property. A written will was required. It permitted a … Continue reading

Posted in Act of Parliament, Anglo-Normans, castles, Living in the UK, primogenture | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Colchester, the Oldest Recorded Town in England

Colchester is an historic Essex town, Britain’s first city and former capital of Roman Britain. Its rich history dates back over 2000 years. In AD49, Colchester was the capital of the kingdom of Cunobelin. It was considered a Roman Colonia, basically, a community dedicated … Continue reading

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Did Queen Victoria Marry John Brown?

  Have you seen the film Victoria and Abdul? It started me thinking more on the “supposed” relationship between Queen Victoria and her Scottish servant John Brown. (By the way, this relationship has also been explored in film. Again the … Continue reading

Posted in British history, castles, film, film adaptations, Great Britain, history, Living in the UK, research, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Did Queen Victoria Marry John Brown?

Irish Castles in Ruins: Research for My Next Release, “Lady Chandler’s Sister”

In book 3 of my Twins’ Trilogy, entitled Lady Chandler’s Sister, the ruins of an Irish castle play out in the book’s conclusion. Therefore, I spent time looking for the right image before I wrote those final scenes. As with … Continue reading

Posted in book release, buildings and structures, castles, eBooks, Great Britain, historical fiction, history, Ireland, Living in the Regency, publishing, real life tales, Regency era, Regency romance, romance, Scotland, trilogy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Meet Author Barbara Gaskell Denvil, Parachuting into Escapism with the Release of “Fair Weather”

Today I welcome one of dear “internet” friends, Barbara Gaskell Denvil, who has an exciting new release. Barbara agree to a short interview so we could all learn more of her and LEARN you will. She is absolutely fascinating.  First, … Continue reading

Posted in Anglo-Normans, book release, books, British history, castles, Guest Blog, Guest Post, historical fiction, history, interview, legacy, legends, mystery, reading habits, suspense, witchcraft acts | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Northanger Horrid Novels ~ Are They Real?

Northanger Horrid Novels thoughts from Regina Jeffers… I have highlighted these books previously, but at a recent event, I was again asked if Austen made up the names of the books in Northanger Abbey. So, I will again  introduce our … Continue reading

Posted in book excerpts, British history, castles, gothic and paranormal, Great Britain, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, Regency era, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Getting Ready for October: The Screaming Skull of Bettiscombe Manor

Bettiscombe is a small village and civil parish in west Dorset, England, situated in the Marshwood Vale 4 miles (6.4 km) west of Beaminster. Dorset County Council’s 2012 mid-year estimate of the population of the civil parish is 70. This … Continue reading

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The Border Wars Between England and Scotland

The political struggle that has dominated much of England/Scotland’s history was often a result of the border wars. In Elizabethan times the Anglo-Scottish border counties, especially Northumberland, were the home of lawless clans who spent their lives raiding and marauding. … Continue reading

Posted in British history, buildings and structures, castles, Great Britain, legends and myths, political stance, real life tales, religion, royalty, Scotland | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments