Category Archives: customs and tradiitons

Being a “Gentleman” in Regency England

 In 1583 Sir Thomas Smith wrote: “One who can live idly and without manual labour and will bear the port (deportment) and countenance of a gentleman, he shall be taken for a gentleman.” But what does “being a gentleman” entail? … Continue reading

Posted in British history, customs and tradiitons, George Wickham, Georgian England, Great Britain, historical fiction, history, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, Persuasion, Pride and Prejudice, primogenture, Regency era | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Consecration of Westminster Abbey, 28 December 1065

The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster is a large Gothic abbey church in the City of Westminster, London, England, situated to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It was a Benedictine monastic church until the monastery was … Continue reading

Posted in Anglo-Saxons, architecture, British history, buildings and structures, Church of England, customs and tradiitons, Great Britain, history, legends and myths, Living in the UK, medieval, real life tales, religion, tradtions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Consecration of Westminster Abbey, 28 December 1065

Christmas Romance Month with “Lady Joy and the Earl”

Today, I celebrate one of my favorite Christmas tales,”Lady Joy and the Earl.” It does not have the typical hero and heroine found in historical romances, for James Highcliffe, Earl of Hough, and Lady Jocelyn (Powell) Lathrop are middle aged. … Continue reading

Posted in book excerpts, book release, British history, customs and tradiitons, excerpt, family, Georgian England, Georgian Era, giveaway, historical fiction, holidays, Living in the Regency, marriage customs, publishing, reading, reading habits, Regency era, Regency romance, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Primogeniture and Inheritance and the Need for a Widow’s Pension in Jane Austen’s Novels

By Jane Austen’s time, primogeniture was no longer the law of the land, but it remained a strongly entrenched custom of inheritance proceedings. Breaking apart large landholdings were frowned upon. An impoverished aristocracy, whose wealth rested in the agricultural realm, … Continue reading

Posted in Austen Authors, British history, customs and tradiitons, estates, family, Georgian England, Inheritance, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, Pride and Prejudice, primogenture, real life tales, Regency era | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Primogeniture and Inheritance and the Need for a Widow’s Pension in Jane Austen’s Novels

Catholic – Protestant Marriages During the late Georgian Era

When discussing Catholic emancipation, etc., the year makes a difference. George III’s era was far stricter against Catholics having any kind of power. That was one reason why many members of parliament quit in 1801, including Pitt the Younger and … Continue reading

Posted in Act of Parliament, British history, Church of England, customs and tradiitons, family, Georgian England, Georgian Era, history, Inheritance, Living in the Regency, marriage, marriage customs, political stance, real life tales, Regency era, religion, research | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Catholic – Protestant Marriages During the late Georgian Era

Catholic Peers in Georgian England

 Over the centuries, the English people saw first Catholicism in favor, which was replaced by Protestantism, to be replaced by Catholicism again, and finally a return to Protestantism. The reigns of Henry VIII and his children brought a time of … Continue reading

Posted in British history, customs and tradiitons, family, George IV, Georgian England, history, Living in the UK, real life tales, royalty, titles of aristocracy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Catholic Peers in Georgian England

Peerage Law in Georgian England

TITLES (IN DISPUTE): One could not renounce an English title.  In the mid 20th century,  a law was passed allowing a man to disclaim a title he had not yet taken up. However, the title became “dormant,” and no one … Continue reading

Posted in Act of Parliament, British history, customs and tradiitons, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, history, Inheritance, peerage, primogenture, Regency era, research | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Peerage Law in Georgian England

Enlisting in the British Army During the Regency Era

Being an officer in the British Army was considered a “suitable” occupation for sons of peers and wealthy families of the gentry. Generally, the head of the family (father, uncle, brother, etc. would purchase commissions for his relation. We often … Continue reading

Posted in British history, customs and tradiitons, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, history, Living in the Regency, military, real life tales, Regency era, research | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

A Widow’s Stipend, Jointures, Dower, Settlements, and Dowry. Which is Which in the Regency?

  English Common Law provided a widow a life interest in one-third of the freehold lands her husband owned at the time of their marriage. She could not be denied these rights unless she was found guilty of treason, felony, … Continue reading

Posted in British history, customs and tradiitons, estates, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, history, Inheritance, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, marriage, marriage customs, Pride and Prejudice, real life tales, Regency era, Regency romance, Sense & Sensibility, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

When Was a Presentation of a “Living” Not for Life? + Release of “The Mistress of Rosings Park” + a Giveaway

One of my editors for The Mistress of Rosings Park presented me a question that I thought I should address to all, not just to her. In my story, Mr. Darcy assumes control of Rosings Park after the death of … Continue reading

Posted in Austen Authors, book excerpts, book release, British history, Church of England, customs and tradiitons, excerpt, Georgian England, Georgian Era, historical fiction, history, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, Pride and Prejudice, publishing, Regency era, Regency romance, Vagary, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments