Category Archives: Great Britain

UK Mystery: Stanton Drew Stone Circles

Location: near Stanton Drew and Bristol Region: Somerset, England Coordinates: 51.367797°N 2.575257°WCoordinates: 51.367797°N 2.575257°W Type: Henge monument Condition: intact The Stanton Drew stone circles are just outside the village of Stanton Drew in the English county of Somerset. The largest … Continue reading

Posted in British history, buildings and structures, Great Britain, legends and myths, Living in the UK, mystery | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

The Red Book of Hergest, Welsh Medieval Manuscript

This is one of three posts I have scheduled related to Hergest Court. We will also have a look at Sir Thomas Vaughan (October 24) and his trials with four English kings and, in celebration of all things haunted, the … Continue reading

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A Taste of Blood ~ Exquisite Excerpts from “Vampire Darcy’s Desire”

A Taste of Blood… Below you will find an excerpt from Vampire Darcy’s Desire. VDD presents Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice as a heart-pounding vampire romance filled with passion and danger. Tormented by a 200-year-old curse and his fate as a half-human/half-vampire (dhampir), Mr. Darcy … Continue reading

Posted in book excerpts, British history, excerpt, gothic and paranormal, Great Britain, Jane Austen, Regency era, Ulysses Press | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The Bloody Assizes and the Demon Judge, George Jeffreys

The Bloody Assizes and the Demon Judge, George Jeffreys Historical Context With the death of Oliver Cromwell in 1658, the newly-elected Parliament “restored” Charles II to the throne of England. Charles II’s reign (1660-1685) was marked by political unrest. The … Continue reading

Posted in British history, Great Britain, Living in the UK, political stance, real life tales, religion, royalty | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Legend of the Beast of Bodmin

The Beast of Bodmin, also known as the Beast of Bodmin Moor (Cornish: Best Goon Brenn) is a phantom wild cat purported to live in Cornwall, in the United Kingdom. Bodmin Moor became a centre of these sightings with occasional … Continue reading

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Legend of the Black Dog in the British Isles

A black dog is the name given to a being found primarily in the folklores of the British Isles. The black dog is essentially a nocturnal apparition, often said to be associated with the Devil or a Hellhound. Its appearance … Continue reading

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The Concept of a “Marriage of Convenience” as a Plot Line in Jane Austen’s Novels

What hope was there for the dowerless daughters of the middle class during Jane Austen’s lifetime? Such is a topic Austen explored repeatedly in her novels. Elizabeth and Jane Bennet sought men of a like mind. The Dashwood sisters found … Continue reading

Posted in British history, customs and tradiitons, George IV, Georgian Era, Great Britain, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, Pride and Prejudice, Regency era | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on The Concept of a “Marriage of Convenience” as a Plot Line in Jane Austen’s Novels

Victorian Folklore Legend: Spring-Heeled Jack

As a native West Virginian, I grew up on the Mothman prophecies, the story line behind the 2002 movie of the same name, which was intermixed with the collapse of the Silver Bridge in Point Pleasant, West Virginia. The Mothman … Continue reading

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Universal Themes and Jane Austen: First Impressions

Universal Themes and Jane Austen: First Impressions Have you ever met someone with whom you have corresponded several times (Facebook, Twitter, phone, or the old-fashioned way by a letter) only to be surprised by his/her appearance? He/She looks nothing like … Continue reading

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Maria Fagniani, Marchioness of Hertford and Regency Era Eccentric

The mistresses of the Prince Regent and his brothers were as well known. The Duke of Clarence, for example, sired ten children with Mrs Jordan, and the Duke of York’s relationship with Mary Anne Clarke caused a major scandal over … Continue reading

Posted in British history, George IV, Great Britain, Inheritance, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, real life tales, Regency era, Regency personalities | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments