Category Archives: history

St. Agnes Eve, a Plot Point in “A Dance with Mr. Darcy” + Excerpt

Posted on January 20, 2020 by

A major turning point in my latest Austen-inspired vagary, A Dance with Mr. Darcy, comes when Lydia convinces Elizabeth to join in the St  Agnes Eve festivities.  But who was St Agnes? And why would we still celebrate her? Meredith Ringel … Continue reading →

Posted in book excerpts, book release, books, customs and tradiitons, eBooks, historical fiction, history, Jane Austen, legends, legends and myths, medieval, Pride and Prejudice, publishing, research, Scotland, Vagary | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 37 Comments

Did Jane Austen Play Her Own Version of Regency “Monopoly”? a Guest Post from Eliza Shearer

Posted on January 13, 2020 by

The post originally appeared on the Austen Authors’ blog on December 10, 2019. I think you will discover it as fascinating as did I. Enjoy! “The Most Agreeable & Rational Recreation Ever Invented” During a recent visit to Edinburgh’s Museum of … Continue reading →

Posted in Austen Authors, customs and tradiitons, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Guest Post, history, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, real life tales, Regency era | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

James Wilmot on “Who Wrote Shakespeare’s Plays?” + an eBook Giveaway

Posted on January 6, 2020 by

  James Wilton was supposedly the first to question whether William Shakespeare was the actual author of the plays and sonnets we now attribute to him. Wilmot was an English clergyman, having been educated at Oxford, and scholar from Barton-on-the-Heath, … Continue reading →

Posted in Austen Authors, book excerpts, book release, British history, Elizabethan drama, excerpt, Georgian England, Georgian Era, history, Jane Austen, legends and myths, literature, Living in the Regency, Pride and Prejudice, reading habits, real life tales, theatre, Vagary | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

New Year’s Eve Tradition of “Auld Lang Syne”~ From Where Does It Come?

Posted on December 30, 2019 by

Tomorrow night, many of you will break out into the strands of “Auld Lang Syne.” The song evokes nostalgia and a sense of belonging. But what do you know of the song’s origin? Of its lyrics?  According to “The History … Continue reading →

Posted in ballads, history, holidays, Scotland | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Regency Christmas Games, a Guest Post from Jann Rowland

Posted on December 18, 2019 by

(This post appeared on Austen Authors on December 12, 2018. I thought to resurrect it here. Enjoy!) Tis the season to write Christmas based posts it seems. As we’re now in the middle of the season, with the day itself … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, family, Georgian England, Guest Post, history, holidays, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, Regency era | Tagged , , , , , ,

What You Didn’t Know About Thanksgiving

Posted on November 27, 2019 by

It took more than 200 years after the first Thanksgiving before it became an official holiday. The first Thanksgiving was a three day feast, which included hunting, athletic games, and eating. The Pilgrims dined on venison, NOT turkey. There was … Continue reading →

Posted in American History, British history, Church of England, customs and tradiitons, history, holidays, real life tales, religion | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

The Origins of the “Irish” Ballad, “Danny Boy”

Posted on November 25, 2019 by

Okay, I admit it. “Danny Boy” is one of my favorite songs, but it is not because I am Irish (which I am, for I have strong Irish roots in my ancestral tree). I simply think that the melody of … Continue reading →

Posted in ballads, British history, customs and tradiitons, England, history, Ireland, music, tradtions | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments