Category Archives: Great Britain

Jane Austen’s “Literary” Brothers

Posted on September 10, 2015 by Regina Jeffers

Many of those around her influenced Jane Austen, but Henry’s and James’s influences were profound. Most of Austen’s biographers believe that Henry was Austen’s favorite brother and James her least favorite. James Austen was the eldest of the Austen clan, … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, family, Great Britain, Jane Austen, literature, Living in the Regency, real life tales, Regency era | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Anglo-Norman Literature: The Pearl Poet

Posted on September 9, 2015 by Regina Jeffers

The poem known as Pearl came to us in the fourteenth century, c. 1370. It is the first of four poems copied by a single scribe. Patience and Purity retell stories from the Old Testament and Sir Gawain and the Green … Continue reading →

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UK “Real” Estate: The Isle of Portland and Nanny Diamond Faires

Posted on September 3, 2015 by Regina Jeffers

  The Isle of Portland is a limestone tied island, 6 kilometres (4 mi) long by 2.4 kilometres (1.5 mi) wide, in the English Channel. Portland is 8 kilometres (5 mi) south of the resort of Weymouth, forming the southernmost … Continue reading →

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Late Regency/Early Victorian Era Cottages for the Working Man

Posted on August 31, 2015 by Regina Jeffers

The Working Man’s Cottage During the Regency By the time George IV took the reins as the Prince Regent, England was the most powerful industrial nation in the world. Centres of commerce sprung up, bringing with them an increase in … Continue reading →

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

Anglo-Norman Literature: Ballads (Part 2)

Posted on August 27, 2015 by Regina Jeffers

Part 1 on Ballads may be found HERE. The earlier post covered the popular ballads of “Riddles Wisely Expounded,” “The Wife of Usher’s Well,” “Edward,” “Robin Hood and the Monk,” “Robin Hood and Guy of Gisborne,” “Robin Hood’s Death,” “The … Continue reading →

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Social Class in the Regency Period

Posted on August 19, 2015 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 →

Posted in British history, Great Britain, Living in the Regency, Regency era | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Anglo-Norman Literature: Part IV ~ Ballads

Posted on August 18, 2015 by Regina Jeffers

“A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads derive from the medieval French chanson balladée or ballade, which were originally “dancing songs”. Ballads were particularly characteristic of the popular poetry and song of the … Continue reading →

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Word Origins? Are These Ones You’ve Used Incorrectly?

Posted on August 13, 2015 by Regina Jeffers

We had some great discussions on Facebook over the last patch of words I included in a post on word origins. Let us see if you find any of these appealing? Escort – This is a late 16th Century word … Continue reading →

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Common Riding, a Langholm Tradition Celebrated on the Last Friday of July

Posted on July 30, 2015 by Regina Jeffers

Common Riding is an annual event celebrated in Scottish Border towns and in some other places, to commemorate the times of the past when local men risked their lives in order to protect their town and people. Common Riding, a … Continue reading →

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Anglo-Norman Literature: Part II ~ Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Posted on July 28, 2015 by Regina Jeffers

This romantic verse is dated to the late 14th Century, but it may have developed a bit earlier. The author of the piece remains as “anonymous”; however many scholars view the author of “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” to … Continue reading →

Posted in Anglo-Normans, British history, Great Britain, literature | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments