Category Archives: history

The Cotton or Cottonian Library

A bust of Robert Cotton by Louis-François Roubiliac ~ Public Domain ~ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_Robert_Cotton,_1st_Baronet,_of_Connington#/media/File:Robert_Bruce_Cotton_bust_BM_1924_0412_1.jpg Keeping with Wednesday’s post on Circulating Libraries, I thought I might mention a library some, especially in the U.S. have not considered. The Cotton Library was founded by … Continue reading

Posted in Age of Chaucer, architecture, books, British history, Chaucer, Church of England, England, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, history, literature, medieval, publishing, real life tales, Regency era, religion, research, war | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on The Cotton or Cottonian Library

An Old-Fashioned Holiday Season. Perhaps Not! Be Careful for What You Wish!

Have we lost the meaning of the holidays? As many of us have already run through our budget for gifts, others are wondering how we lost the true meaning of the Christmas season. Christians bemoaned the lost of the story … Continue reading

Posted in British history, Christmas, customs and tradiitons, food and drink, Great Britain, history, holidays, medieval, religion, research | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The Rise of the Paston Family from Yeomanry to the Ranks of the Greatest Landowners in England and The Paston Letters

Although they are not held as a single collection, the Paston Letters provide insight into 15th Century life, which no other set of documents can. They are a record of a family’s correspondence, from different members of the Paston family, … Continue reading

Posted in British history, buildings and structures, history, medieval, military, political stance, real life tales, research | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on The Rise of the Paston Family from Yeomanry to the Ranks of the Greatest Landowners in England and The Paston Letters

Menai Suspension Bridge + the Release of “Bell, Book, and Wardrobe” + a Giveaway

On December 1, 2022, A Regency Christmas Doubled, an anthology with romantic stories all about twins will be released. My story, Bell, Book, and Wardrobe, is one of the four delightful tales to read on a cold December night. My … Continue reading

Posted in anthology, book release, books, British history, Dreamstone Publishing, Georgian England, Georgian Era, giveaway, historical fiction, history, real life tales, research, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

James Lackington: The Man Who Revolutionized Book Stores

In a time when we bemoan the loss of Borders, Waldenbooks, and fear the demise of Barnes & Noble and Books-a-Million, it is hard for us to imagine what it must have been like for those who entered “The Dome … Continue reading

Posted in books, British history, buildings and structures, business, England, Georgian England, history, publishing, reading, reading habits, real life tales | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on James Lackington: The Man Who Revolutionized Book Stores

Solving a Baby’s “Teething Woes” During the Regency

 In one of scenes for Lady Chandler’s Sister: Book Three of the Twins’ Trilogy, a baby belonging to the story’s heroine is running a slight fever and is fussy. The physician summoned to the child’s aid suggests a coral for … Continue reading

Posted in British history, George IV, Georgian England, Georgian Era, history, Living in the Regency, medicine, research, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Craigievar Castle, the Inspiration for Walt Disney’s Trademark Castle and a Ghostly Experience

  Are you still looking for the ghosts and goblins of Halloween? Permit me to introduce you to Craigievar Castle in Scotland, where you might hear ‘Red’ Sir John tell of ancient feuds between the clans and the murder of … Continue reading

Posted in architecture, British history, buildings and structures, history, legends, medieval, paranormal, real life tales, Scotland, spooky tales, suspense | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Buying a Commission During the Regency Era

In times of peace and of war, most promotions were achieved by purchasing a higher rank, rather than earning a field promotion, so to speak. This made it easy for a man to have a high rank without much actual … Continue reading

Posted in British history, Georgian, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, history, music, Napoleonic Wars, Northanger Abbey, political stance, Regency era, research | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Dressmakers and Fashion and What Jane Austen Said of Both

A woman’s dressmaker, or “mantua maker,” as they were often known during the late Georgian era, were essentially paid to know what was the latest fashion trends. Most of us who are obsessed with the era, know something of fashion … Continue reading

Posted in British history, England, fashion, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, history, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, Regency era, research | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Breaking an Engagement in the Regency Era (Round 2)

After my last post in August on the issue of a breach of promise in the Regency, I have received several more questions on the subject. I hope some of what I am sharing below will clear up those concerns. … Continue reading

Posted in British history, family, Georgian, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, history, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, marriage, marriage customs, real life tales, Regency era, research, tradtions | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment