Category Archives: estates

Life Below Stairs – The Footman

Posted on March 6, 2020 by

There are tales of footmen who experienced criticism and mild taunts when they went about their master’s business. Even so, the footman became a sort of symbol of the division in society. Reports abound of street urchins throwing mud on … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, estates, fashion, Georgian Era, Great Britain, history, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, servant life, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , , , | 11 Comments

“A Touch of Honor” [or] What to Do With a Character You Despise?

Posted on January 8, 2020 by

Early on, I convinced my traditional publisher, Ulysses Press, to print one of my Regency romances – a book I originally called A Touch of Gold and later called A Touch of Scandal. Ulysses released the book under the title … Continue reading →

Posted in book excerpts, Church of England, estates, fashion, Georgian England, historical fiction, Inheritance, Ireland, Living in the Regency, marriage, marriage customs, marriage licenses, medicine, Realm series, Regency era, Ulysses Press | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Female Inheritance Laws + an Excerpt from MR. DARCY’S BRIDEs

Posted on November 11, 2019 by

Under English law, women were subordinate to their husbands. It was expected that she was under the “protection and influence of her husband, her baron, or lord.” The law stated the old adage of “two shall become one.” She was … Continue reading →

Posted in book excerpts, book release, estates, excerpt, giveaway, Inheritance, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, marriage, marriage customs, marriage licenses, Pride and Prejudice, primogenture, publishing, Vagary, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

The “Skinny” on Abdicating a Title During the Regency Era

Posted on August 2, 2019 by

Many times in Regency-based novels we have the situation where for one reason or another, the hero refused the title he has inherited and “abdicates” his new peerage. The question is whether this is a viable plot line.  The answer … Continue reading →

Posted in Black Opal Books, British history, Church of England, customs and tradiitons, estates, family, Georgian England, Georgian Era, history, Inheritance, kings and queens, legacy, peerage, real life tales, Regency era, research, titles of aristocracy, tradtions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Celebrating the Release of “Courting Lord Whitmire” + an Excerpt & Giveaway

Posted on July 22, 2019 by

  I have a new release which is part of the Regency Summer Escape anthology. In it illness we now call PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) plays a major role. The main character has spent 15 years in war, first … Continue reading →

Posted in book excerpts, book release, British history, eBooks, estates, excerpt, family, Georgian England, historical fiction, history, Living in the Regency, marriage, Napoleonic Wars, reading, real life tales, Regency era, Regency romance, research, romance, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

What Do We Know of London and the Surrounding Areas in the Regency?

Posted on July 5, 2019 by

Some people who read Regency-based novels do not realize London itself was not all the areas we writers mention in our novels. Many areas, such as Hampstead Heath (famous for its duels), Kew Gardens (founded in 1840 from the exotic … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, buildings and structures, business, commerce, England, estates, Georgian England, Georgian Era, history, Living in the Regency | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Practice of Enclosure of Open Lands in England and Wales

Posted on June 28, 2019 by

 In England and Wales from the 12th Century forward enclosure (or inclosure) was a common practice. Before enclosure, much of the land was only used during the growing season. Once the harvest took place, the was at the disposal of … Continue reading →

Posted in Act of Parliament, British history, England, estates, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Living in the Regency, Regency era, Wales | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments