Category Archives: Great Britain

Anglo-Saxon Literature – Part II: Charms and Riddles

Posted on May 12, 2015 by Regina Jeffers

The transition from pagan thoughts to the dogma of Christianity was slow to go. Appeasing the populace to look upon a Christian society with acceptance was a difficult task. Charms reflect pagan superstition and folklore. Even so, it was not … Continue reading →

Posted in Anglo-Saxons, British history, Great Britain, literature, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

A “Stalker” for Queen Victoria

Posted on May 8, 2015 by Regina Jeffers

Few outside of Victorian scholars know much of Queen Victoria’s “stalker.” Edward “the Boy” Jones was quite adept at sneaking into Victoria’s most private apartments. Born in 1824, Edward Jones became fascinated with Victoria when she was but a young … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Great Britain, real life tales, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments

Benjamin Bathurst: Missing Regency Era Diplomat

Posted on May 7, 2015 by Regina Jeffers

  Benjamin Bathurst (18 March 1784 – 1809?) was a British diplomatic envoy who disappeared in Germany during the Napoleonic Wars. He was the third son of Henry Bathurst, Bishop of Norwich. Bathurst disappeared on or about 25 November 1809, … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Great Britain, Living in the Regency, mystery, real life tales, Regency era | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Anglo-Saxon Literature ~ Part I Early Epic Poems

Posted on May 5, 2015 by Regina Jeffers

The Finnesburg — or Finnsburh — Fragment is a portion of an Old English heroic poem about a fight in which Hnæf and his 60 retainers are besieged at “Finn’s fort” and attempt to hold off their attackers. The surviving … Continue reading →

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Anglo-Saxon Literature: The Epic Poem, Beowulf

Posted on May 1, 2015 by Regina Jeffers

Beowulf is the earliest English epic. The exact date of its origin is unknown, but likely before the 9th Century. So what is an epic poem? It is a narrative poem that centers upon the a great hero and upon … Continue reading →

Posted in Anglo-Saxons, British history, Great Britain, literature | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Life in Early Britain: The Anglo-Saxons

Posted on April 30, 2015 by Regina Jeffers

The early inhabitants of Britain lived under harsh conditions. Dark forested areas. Savage neighbors. Wild animals. Life consisted of hunting, fishing, sailing, and feasting. Life demanded a strong people. From those people came a certain ideal of courage. Of honor. … Continue reading →

Posted in Anglo-Saxons, British history, Great Britain | Tagged , | 9 Comments

James Lind and the Prevention of Scurvy

Posted on April 28, 2015 by Regina Jeffers

James Lind was a Scottish doctor, who studied scurvy first hand. Born in Edinburgh in 1716, Lind became an apprentice at Edinburgh’s College of Surgeons at the age of 15. At 23, he accepted the post of surgeon’s mate and … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Georgian Era, Great Britain, medicine, real life tales | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Do You Know These Words and Phrases?

Posted on April 27, 2015 by Regina Jeffers

I have some words/phrases that are familiar and others perhaps not so. Enjoy the origins of these choice tidbits.  Butterfingers: (Phrases.org) A name playfully applied to someone who fails to catch a ball or lets something slip from their fingers. Several authorities Charles Dickens invented … Continue reading →

Posted in American History, British history, Great Britain, Uncategorized, word play | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Sir Walter Scott, the Historical Romance, and the Creation of a National Identity – Part II

Posted on April 21, 2015 by Regina Jeffers

Last Tuesday, we had our first look at how Sir Walter Scott perfected the “formula” for historical romance while creating a national identity. [April 14 post – Part I]  Sir Walter Scott’s fiction quite often uses the plot devices of … Continue reading →

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The Rise of Preventive Medicine in England in the 18th Century

Posted on April 20, 2015 by Regina Jeffers

Early on, the civilize world saw the study of nature as essential to the welfare of all mankind. The 16th Century saw great strides. Nicolaus Copernicus was a Renaissance mathematician and astronomer who formulated a model of the universe that … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Great Britain, medicine | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments