Category Archives: Great Britain

The Protocol of “Being at Home”

During the Regency and Victorian Periods, ladies of the aristocracy rigorously made a daily round of social calls, which were governed by strictly adhered to conventions. Precedence and rank defined each of these engagements. However, there was a distinct difference … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Great Britain, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, real life tales, Regency era | Tagged , , , , | 13 Comments

History of Shifts, Chemises, and Corsets Through the Regency Era

To protect their outer wear (gowns, day dresses, etc.) from sweat and body oils, women of the Regency era wore shifts or chemises. These were simple garments, much like a man of today might wear an undershirt to protect his … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, fashion, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, Living in the Regency, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The “Churching” of Women After Childbirth

 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 →

Posted in British history, Church of England, customs and tradiitons, England, Great Britain, history, Living in the UK, marriage, marriage customs, medicine, religion, tradtions | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on The “Churching” of Women After Childbirth

The Cotton or Cottonian Library

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

Celebrating the Birth of Jane Austen: 16 December 1775 – What I Learned from Jane Austen

(This post was originally published on December 16, 2010. However, I could not permit Austen’s birthday to pass without notice.) It is a truth universally acknowledged that Jane Austen remains an inspiration to throngs of readers more than two centuries … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Great Britain, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, real life tales, Regency era, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 95 Comments

An Old-Fashioned Holiday Season. Perhaps Not! Be Careful for What You Wish!

Have we lost the meaning of the holidays? As many of us have already run through our budget for gifts, others are wondering how we lost the true meaning of the Christmas season. Christians bemoaned the lost of the story … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Christmas, customs and tradiitons, food and drink, Great Britain, history, holidays, medieval, religion, research | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Happy 6th Book Birthday to “Mr. Darcy’s Bargain”

Mr. Darcy’s Bargain: A Pride and Prejudice Vagary came to life from a bit of research I was doing at the time for another book. I came across an interesting character who I thought would make the “perfect Wickham” in … Continue reading →

Posted in American History, Austen Authors, book excerpts, books, British history, commerce, eBooks, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, heroines, historical fiction, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, marriage, Pride and Prejudice, reading, reading habits, real life tales, Regency era, Regency romance, Vagary | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Happy 6th Book Birthday to “Mr. Darcy’s Bargain”

Buying a Commission During the Regency Era

In times of peace and of war, most promotions were achieved by purchasing a higher rank, rather than earning a field promotion, so to speak. This made it easy for a man to have a high rank without much actual … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Georgian, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, history, music, Napoleonic Wars, Northanger Abbey, political stance, Regency era, research | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Dressmakers and Fashion and What Jane Austen Said of Both

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

Breaking an Engagement in the Regency Era (Round 2)

After my last post in August on the issue of a breach of promise in the Regency, I have received several more questions on the subject. I hope some of what I am sharing below will clear up those concerns. … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, family, Georgian, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, history, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, marriage, marriage customs, real life tales, Regency era, research, tradtions | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment