Category Archives: history

Burntwick Island, Setting as Character in “Losing Lizzy: A Pride and Prejudice Vagary”

On Friday, we had a closer look at Deadman’s Island, and its part in the setting for Losing Lizzy: A Pride and Prejudice Vagary. Like Deadman’s Island, Burntwick can be found in the estuary of the River Medway in Kent. … Continue reading

Posted in book release, British history, eBooks, England, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, historical fiction, history, Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, publishing, reading habits, real life tales, Regency era, research, spooky tales, Vagary, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Manton’s Shooting Gallery and the Man Who Changed Weaponry During the Regency

Joseph Manton, who was born in 1766 in Lincolnshire, is considered as an innovative English gunmaker of the late 18th to early 19th Century. His numerous patents and designs changed the gun industry as no one had done previously. Moreover, … Continue reading

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Was an Annulment Possible in the Regency? + Release of “A Dance with Mr. Darcy” + Giveaway

 One of the “what ifs” in my latest Pride and Prejudice vagary, A Dance with Mr. Darcy, revolves around Lydia’s marriage to Mr. Wickham. What if the marriage could be voided? What would it entail to break her bond to … Continue reading

Posted in Austen Authors, book excerpts, book release, customs and tradiitons, excerpt, historical fiction, history, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, marriage, marriage customs, Pride and Prejudice, Regency era, Regency romance, research, Vagary | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 53 Comments

Life Below Stairs, Part 5 – The “Fallen” Female Servant

The life of a female servant in an English household of the 18th or 19th Century was a lonely one in terms of romantic entanglements, and we can only imagine how easily such a woman might be tempted to “taste” … Continue reading

Posted in British history, commerce, Georgian England, Great Britain, history, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, Regency era, romance, servant life, vocabulary | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments

The Battle of Rorke’s Drift

On 22 January 1879, one of the world’s most remarkable military engagements took place. It was a short, but intense, battle in what is known as the Anglo- Zulu Wars. For two days, some 150 British soldiers defended Rorke’s Drift … Continue reading

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

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

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

  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

Regency Christmas Games, a Guest Post from Jann Rowland

(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

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What You Didn’t Know About Thanksgiving

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”

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