Category Archives: Great Britain

Another Set of Winners of “The Prosecution of Mr. Darcy’s Cousin”

Congratulations go out to drcopeland7294 and ladysusanpdx. These ladies will receive an eBook copy of The Prosecution of Mr. Darcy’s Cousin: A Pride and Prejudice Mystery.  There are still eBooks copies available this week at  2 copies at More Agreeably … Continue reading

Posted in British history, Great Britain, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, Regency era | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Procedure for a Trial in the House of Lords

Procedure for a Trial in the House of Lords When I first began to write The Prosecution of Mr. Darcy’s Cousin, I set myself the task of learning more of the legal procedures practiced during the Regency Period. The trial … Continue reading

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The Setting for “The Prosecution of Mr. Darcy’s Cousin” + an Excerpt + Giveaway

Much of the action of my newest Austen-inspired novel, The Prosecution of Mr. Darcy’s Cousin, is set in Wapping. But what do we know of the area? Wapping is a district in East London, in the Borough of Tower Hamlets. … Continue reading

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The Development of the English Language During the Anglo-Norman Period (1066-1350)

French influence upon England came about with the Norman conquest in 1066. In the beginning, the Norman conquerors spoke nothing but French, actually holding the Anglo-Saxon language in contempt. What we now refer to as Norman French was used for … Continue reading

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Do You Know These Words and Phrases?

I was reading a period piece recently and came across the words and phrases below. How many of these do you use? Verge – British: A grass edging such as that by the side of a road or path Embarazo – … Continue reading

Posted in British history, Great Britain, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, Regency era, Victorian era, word play | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 19 Comments

Chemical Warfare During the Napoleonic Wars

In 1812, Prince George received a plan outlining the use of “unusual” methods to defeat Napoleon Bonaparte. The plan came to the future George IV from Captain Sir Thomas, Lord Cochrane. At the time, Wellesley’s successes in Spain were sporadic, … Continue reading

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The Brilliance of an “Unequal” Marriage as a Plot Point in Austen’s Pride and Prejudice

In Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen presents the reader  with three very eligible bachelors: the sharp-tongued, prideful Darcy, the amiable and handsome Bingley, and the smooth-talking military officer of Wickham. Analysis of these characters is plentiful, but I hope to open … Continue reading

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A Writ of Error as a Plot Point in “The Prosecution of Mr. Darcy’s Cousin”

For my latest cozy mystery, part of the action is a trial set in 1816. Many of the tenets of court law we now accept as commonplace were not part of the court system during the Regency Period. For example, … Continue reading

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The Mysterious Death of Lord Darnley

What do we know of Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley? He was the second husband of Mary, Queen of Scots. Darnley was tall enough to entice Mary, who was reportedly near six foot tall. He was a Catholic, but knew Anglicanism … Continue reading

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The Anglo-Saxon World: King Alfred, William of Normandy, and the Doomsday Book

King Alfred is considered by many to be the wisest and greatest king.  As King of the West Saxons, Alfred (849 – 901) unified his people and constructed a victory against the Danes in 878 at Ethandum. Alfred led his … Continue reading

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