Category Archives: customs and tradiitons

Being a Woman in Jane Austen’s England

“Single women have a dreadful propensity for being poor—which is one very strong argument in favour of matrimony.” Jane Austen wrote to Fanny Knight, 13 March 1817 Feminism made a long overdue showing in the 18th Century. Society, as a … Continue reading

Posted in British history, customs and tradiitons, England, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, history, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, Regency era, Regency personalities | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

What Exactly Did It Mean to be an Officer on Half Pay in Jane Austen’s England?

Question from a follower: I’ve often wondered about the term “half-pay officer.” Does an officer who sells out still receive half pay or only officers who retire without selling their commissions (if there is such a thing). My question concerns a … Continue reading

Posted in aristocracy, British history, customs and tradiitons, Georgian England, Georgian Era, historical fiction, history, military, Napoleonic Wars, real life tales, Regency era, research | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Crossing the Irish Sea in the Early 1800s, Not for the Faint of Heart

I have written several books of late that feature my characters traveling to Ireland from different points in England. One of the more recent ones was my Taming Lord Truist, the second book of the Strong Women Duo that accompanied … Continue reading

Posted in aristocracy, British history, British Navy, customs and tradiitons, Dragonblade Publishers, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, hero, heroines, historical fiction, history, Ireland, Living in the Regency, publishing, real life tales, Regency era, Regency personalities, Regency romance, research, travel, writing | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Crossing the Irish Sea in the Early 1800s, Not for the Faint of Heart

A Levirate Marriage ~ Are Thou Thy Brother’s Keeper?

Recently, I listened to a minister discuss what is known as a Levirate Marriage, a marriage between the widow and the husband’s brother. Many Christians, especially those in the Western world, consider this a reprehensible action, but the Bible does … Continue reading

Posted in Act of Parliament, books, British history, Church of England, customs and tradiitons, Georgian England, Georgian Era, historical fiction, history, Jane Austen, laws of the land, Levirate marriage, marriage, marriage customs, real life tales, Realm series, Regency era, religion, research, tradtions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on A Levirate Marriage ~ Are Thou Thy Brother’s Keeper?

Common Themes in Several Stories

Back in January 2021, I released my Austenesque novel, The Mistress of Rosings Park. In that story, draper’s shops play a strategic role. In one of my latest novels from Dragonblade Publishing [book 4 of 5 in the Lyon’s Den … Continue reading

Posted in American History, British history, customs and tradiitons, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, history, Industrial Revolution, Living in the Regency, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Common Themes in Several Stories

Question from a Reader: Is “Debutant” the Correct Word for a Girl Making Her Society “Debut” in the Regency Era?

Okay, to the best of my knowledge the term “debutant” was later than the Regency Era. The word “debutante” is of later vintage than the Regency. She would be referred to as “coming out”, per Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park, where … Continue reading

Posted in aristocracy, British history, customs and tradiitons, England, Georgian England, Georgian Era, historical fiction, history, Living in the Regency, reading, Regency era, Regency romance, research, terminology, tradtions, Victorian era, word choices | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Question from a Reader: Is “Debutant” the Correct Word for a Girl Making Her Society “Debut” in the Regency Era?

Dance Sets at a Ball or a Country Assembly in the Regency Era?

Though I thought I had covered the idea of dance sets in last Fridays piece on “Dance Cards,” evidently there was still some confusion, so I will try this again. QUESTION FROM A READER: My understanding is that in balls, … Continue reading

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Dance Cards in the Regency Era? Yea or Nay?

Recently, I again had a writer ask me about the use of dance cards in the Regency. In truth, I have not found any period references to hostesses having dance cards for her guests. Thomas Wilson never mentions them in … Continue reading

Posted in aristocracy, British history, customs and tradiitons, dancing, England, Georgian England, Georgian Era, history, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, Regency era | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

“Lord Thomas and Fair Ellender,” Traditional Scottish Ballad + the Upcoming Release of “Lyon on the Inside” from Dragonblade Publishing, Arriving 24 June 2026

I have sung this song since I was quite small in the homes of my Appalachian relations, and I have used it previously in another book, a vampiric Jane Austen tale, which the original publisher will rerelease for for the … Continue reading

Posted in ballads, book release, books, British history, customs and tradiitons, Dragonblade Publishers, eBooks, film, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, hero, heroines, historical fiction, history, Jane Austen, legends and myths, Living in the Regency, mystery, publishing, Regency era, Regency romance, research, romantic verse, Scotland, series, spooky tales, suspense, tradtions, vampires, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on “Lord Thomas and Fair Ellender,” Traditional Scottish Ballad + the Upcoming Release of “Lyon on the Inside” from Dragonblade Publishing, Arriving 24 June 2026

When Could a Marriage Be Annuled in the Regency Era? + the Upcoming Release of “Lyon on the Inside” from Dragonblade Publishing, Arriving 24 June 2026

In this tale, the heroine is still a few weeks short of reaching her majority, and her father despises the hero for reasons not explained until the climax of this last book in the series. So what were the general … Continue reading

Posted in Act of Parliament, aristocracy, book release, British history, Church of England, customs and tradiitons, Dragonblade Publishers, eBooks, England, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, hero, heroines, historical fiction, history, Inheritance, laws of the land, Living in the Regency, marriage, marriage customs, marriage licenses, mystery, publishing, reading, Regency era, Regency romance, research, Scotland, suspense, travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on When Could a Marriage Be Annuled in the Regency Era? + the Upcoming Release of “Lyon on the Inside” from Dragonblade Publishing, Arriving 24 June 2026