Category Archives: England

The “Churching” of Women After Childbirth

Posted on January 18, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

 Although it has largely fallen out of favor with Western religion, the concept of “churching” in the Church of England can be traced well into the 20th Century. (Margaret Houlbrooke. Rite out of Time: a Study of the Ancient Rite of … Continue reading →

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The Cotton or Cottonian Library

Posted on January 6, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

A bust of Robert Cotton by Louis-François Roubiliac ~ Public Domain ~ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_Robert_Cotton,_1st_Baronet,_of_Connington#/media/File:Robert_Bruce_Cotton_bust_BM_1924_0412_1.jpg Keeping with Wednesday’s post on Circulating Libraries, I thought I might mention a library some, especially in the U.S. have not considered. The Cotton Library was founded by … Continue reading →

Posted in Age of Chaucer, architecture, books, British history, Chaucer, Church of England, England, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, history, literature, medieval, publishing, real life tales, Regency era, religion, research, war | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on The Cotton or Cottonian Library

James Lackington: The Man Who Revolutionized Book Stores

Posted on November 9, 2022 by Regina Jeffers

In a time when we bemoan the loss of Borders, Waldenbooks, and fear the demise of Barnes & Noble and Books-a-Million, it is hard for us to imagine what it must have been like for those who entered “The Dome … Continue reading →

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Dressmakers and Fashion and What Jane Austen Said of Both

Posted on October 19, 2022 by Regina Jeffers

A woman’s dressmaker, or “mantua maker,” as they were often known during the late Georgian era, were essentially paid to know what was the latest fashion trends. Most of us who are obsessed with the era, know something of fashion … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, England, fashion, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, history, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, Regency era, research | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Auctioning Off Household Goods in the Regency Era, Part 1

Posted on August 22, 2022 by Regina Jeffers

The Georgian era of which the Regency is a part saw greater economic prosperity for new groups, hoping to become a part of the genteel class. Think of Mr. Bingley in Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice.” Although he had a … Continue reading →

Posted in art, British history, England, estates, Georgian England, Georgian Era, history, Industrial Revolution, Living in the Regency, Regency era | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Bleeding a Patient to Cure Apoplexy During the Regency Era

Posted on May 27, 2022 by Regina Jeffers

In Regency novels, the reader frequently reads of one of the characters suffering an apoplexy. Exactly, what does that mean? Apoplexy (from the Ancient Greek, meaning “a striking away”) is bleeding within internal organs and the accompanying symptoms. For example, ovarian apoplexy is … Continue reading →

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The Babington Plot to Kill Queen Elizabeth I

Posted on May 11, 2022 by Regina Jeffers

Anthony Babington, the third child and eldest son of Henry Babington, was born into a wealthy Catholic family in Dethick, Derbyshire, in October 1561. The bells of the church announced his birth to the world; yet, his plotting would destroy his family. … Continue reading →

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The Salon: A Gathering of Elite Intellectuals, a Guest Post from Sharon Lathan

Posted on April 8, 2022 by Regina Jeffers

The word salon has been around since at least 1664, derived from the Italian salone or French sala, meaning “a reception room or great hall.” The indication was for a particular part of a house, a room or several rooms, where people gathered together. The English … Continue reading →

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“Obstinate, Headstrong Girl,” Introducing “Austens of Broadford,” a Guest Post and Chapter Excerpt from Carole Penfield

Posted on March 14, 2022 by Regina Jeffers

A life lesson universally acknowledged is that when you marry someone, you marry into their entire family. Not infrequently, some family member may act to interfere with the happiness of a couple during their courtship. Such was the case for … Continue reading →

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A Suspicious Royal Birth, a Guest Post from Carole Penfield

Posted on February 16, 2022 by Regina Jeffers

On a frosty, winter night, there is nothing more comforting than climbing into a warm cosy bed heated by an electric blanket, or even a hot water bottle. These conveniences were not available in drafty 17th century palaces. Instead, the … Continue reading →

Posted in book excerpts, book release, books, England, excerpt, Georgian Era, Guest Post, historical fiction, history, Jane Austen, publishing, reading, research, royalty, world history, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments