Category Archives: customs and tradiitons

March 25, Lady Day – What are the Quarter Days in UK?

Posted on March 25, 2024 by Regina Jeffers

In the Western liturgical year, Lady Day is the traditional name in some English-speaking countries of the Feast of the Annunciation, which is celebrated on 25 March, and commemorates the visit of the archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary, during … Continue reading →

Posted in Act of Parliament, British history, Church of England, customs and tradiitons, England, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, history, holidays, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, medieval, Pride and Prejudice, real life tales, religion, research | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on March 25, Lady Day – What are the Quarter Days in UK?

Sadie Hawkins’ Day, not a Leap Year Event, But Fun, Nevertheless

Posted on February 28, 2024 by Regina Jeffers

(Image from Sadie Hawkins’ cards at http://www.postcards.org) When I was a teen girl, I enjoyed the school-sponsored Sadie Hawkins’ dances. We didn’t exactly go for the girl asking the boy to the dance (like a date). But we did follow some … Continue reading →

Posted in America, American History, Appalachia, Austen Authors, customs and tradiitons, dancing, film, giveaway, history, holidays, legends and myths, marriage, marriage customs, Pop Culture, romance, tradtions | Tagged , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

The Film Adaptation of Jane Austen’s “Persuasion” (1995) ~ Part II

Posted on February 7, 2024 by Regina Jeffers

                “Persuasion is a 1995 period drama film directed by Roger Michell and baed on Jane Austen’s 1817 novel of the same name. In her theatrical film debut, the British actress Amanda Root … Continue reading →

Posted in Austen actors, British history, customs and tradiitons, England, family, film, film adaptations, historical fiction, history, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, marriage, Persuasion | Tagged , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

St. Agnes Eve, a Plot Point in “A Dance with Mr. Darcy” + Excerpt

Posted on January 19, 2024 by Regina Jeffers

A major turning point in my latest Austen-inspired vagary, A Dance with Mr. Darcy, comes when Lydia convinces Elizabeth to join in the St  Agnes Eve festivities.  But who was St Agnes? And why would we still celebrate her? Meredith Ringel … Continue reading →

Posted in book excerpts, book release, books, customs and tradiitons, eBooks, historical fiction, history, Jane Austen, legends, legends and myths, medieval, Pride and Prejudice, publishing, research, Scotland, Vagary | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 37 Comments

Tidbits Regarding Some of Your Favorite Christmas Traditions

Posted on December 25, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

Below are some facts associated with Christmas, but are rarely mentioned in common conversation. Did you know… Sir Henry Cole was the first to send out a Christmas card. The year was 1843. Cole bemoaned the number of letters he … Continue reading →

Posted in Christmas, customs and tradiitons, food and drink, history, holidays | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

“Deck the Hall” with Music and History

Posted on December 15, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

I recently attended the local Christmas Parade for our rural community. You can keep your Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, for there is nothing better than watching young children scrambling for candy thrown by the various floats. Young, shining face, full … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, customs and tradiitons, history, medieval, music, Scotland, Wales | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Very “Real” Estate: Vicars’ Close, Wells, Somerset, England

Posted on November 24, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

The oldest purely residential street in England is known as Vicars’ Close, which is located in Wells, Somerset, England, and dates from the mid 14th Century.  Planned by Bishop Ralph of Shrewsbury, at one time it was 42 separate houses, … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, British history, buildings and structures, customs and tradiitons, England, Great Britain, history, medieval, research | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

William Strickland, the Man Who Introduced Turkeys to England

Posted on November 22, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

Tomorrow in the U.S., we will be all about the turkey and fixings and football and preparing for Black Friday sales, but in the U.K., turkeys are a more traditional dish for Christmas. Why might you ask? We can blame … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, buildings and structures, Christmas, Church of England, customs and tradiitons, England, history, holidays, kings and queens, legends, Living in the UK, real life tales, religion, Thanksgiving | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

“Kinks” in the Peerage Laws in Great Britain

Posted on November 3, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

First, and foremost, one must understand the creation of peerages is a royal prerogative. Letters patent are used exclusively now for this task, but this was not always so. Letters patent are a form of open or public proclamation and a … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Church of England, customs and tradiitons, Elizabeth I, England, estates, Georgian England, Georgian Era, history, Inheritance, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, real life tales, Regency era, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Nature of “Making Calls” and the Use of “Calling Cards” in the Regency Era

Posted on September 27, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

“Calling cards first became popular in Europe in the 18th century and were favored by royalty and nobility. Their popularity spread across Europe and to the United States and soon calling cards became essential for the fashionable and wealthy. Society homes often had a silver … Continue reading →

Posted in aristocracy, British history, company, customs and tradiitons, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, Pride and Prejudice, real life tales, Regency era | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on The Nature of “Making Calls” and the Use of “Calling Cards” in the Regency Era