Category Archives: Great Britain

Who Were The “Ton” and the “Beau Monde”?

Posted on March 24, 2016 by Regina Jeffers

Le bon ton is a French phrase meaning “the good style” or “good form.” One could be said to have good ton–meaning good style. So one could be part of the Ton, if one had the style for it–which is why … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, customs and tradiitons, George IV, Georgian, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, history, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, political stance, Victorian era, William IV | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Georgian Architecture: University of London, a Metropolitan, Nonsectarian University

Posted on March 15, 2016 by Regina Jeffers

  In 1820, the Scottish poet, Thomas Campbell, put forth the idea of a metropolitan, nonsectarian university. With others he launched a movement in 1825 to found the University of London, for students excluded from Oxford or Cambridge by religious tests … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, British history, buildings and structures, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, history, Living in the UK | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Georgian Architecture: University of London, a Metropolitan, Nonsectarian University

14th Century Scottish Writers

Posted on March 8, 2016 by Regina Jeffers

Early Scottish literature includes works in English, Scottish Gaelic, Scots, Brythonic, French, Latin, and Norn. The earliest extant literature from what is now Scotland was a 6th Century Brythonic speech. Under the direction of the Catholic Church early literature was written … Continue reading →

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Has Lady Violet Crawley, Countess of Grantham, Made Being a “Dowager” Popular Again?

Posted on March 3, 2016 by Regina Jeffers

Of late, I am once again dealing with the term “dowager” in one of my works in progress (WIP). The Earl of Remmington’s mother resides at one of his smaller estates. As she is the widow of the late earl, … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Great Britain, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, Regency era | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Life Below Stairs ~ Part Four: The Work Never Ends

Posted on March 2, 2016 by Regina Jeffers

Up before dawn, the servants of an aristocratic household found the work tedious. Likely, the lower servants worked two hours before he/she was permitted to sit to his own meager breakfast. The kitchen maid began her day with lighting the … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Great Britain, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, real life tales, Regency era, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Life Below Stairs, Part 3 ~ The Male Servant

Posted on February 24, 2016 by Regina Jeffers

The English aristocrat often lived beyond his means. Maintaining country houses (often several of them) and a large Georgian town house in Mayfair took its toll on his purse strings. In addition to owning the property, Society forced him to … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, buildings and structures, customs and tradiitons, estates, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, history, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, Regency era, tradtions, Victorian era | 2 Comments

Life of the Gentry in the Regency Period

Posted on February 22, 2016 by Regina Jeffers

During the Regency Period, wealth and social class separated the English citizenry. Beginning with the Royals, citizens found their place based on birthright and wealth. The nobility stood above the gentry, who stood above the clergy, who stood above the … Continue reading →

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“I Won’t Dance, Don’t Ask Me” – Dance as a Plot Device in Jane Austen’s Novels

Posted on February 18, 2016 by Regina Jeffers

  “To be fond of dancing was a certain step towards falling in love.” (Pride and Prejudice, Chapter 3) During Austen’s time, young people looked for a potential mate at dances. Austen, herself, enjoyed a good dance, and, therefore, she … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Great Britain, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, Regency era | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Life Below Stairs, Part II – Rules of Engagement

Posted on February 17, 2016 by Regina Jeffers

Previously, we looked at what a servant in an upper house, or even in a second-class household, of the late Regency Period or early Victorian times, might encounter. We spoke of wages, delineation of duties, and additional compensation. Today, we … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, buildings and structures, customs and tradiitons, estates, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, history, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, real life tales, Regency era, Victorian era | 9 Comments

Changes in Weaponry at the End of the Regency

Posted on February 16, 2016 by Regina Jeffers

This post appeared the last week of September 2015 on Caroline Warfield’s most-excellent blog on historical fiction/fact, but I thought I’d share it here in case some of you missed it. The first seven books of my award-winning “The Realm” … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Great Britain, Living in the Regency, real life tales, Realm series, Regency era, Victorian era, weaponry | Tagged , , , , , | 10 Comments