Category Archives: history

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

Did Queen Victoria Marry John Brown?

  Have you seen the film Victoria and Abdul? It started me thinking more on the “supposed” relationship between Queen Victoria and her Scottish servant John Brown. (By the way, this relationship has also been explored in film. Again the … Continue reading

Posted in British history, castles, film, film adaptations, Great Britain, history, Living in the UK, research, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Did Queen Victoria Marry John Brown?

Press Gangs in the Regency Era

Press gangs operated in England from medieval times, but during the war years the “tradition” was increased. In fact, the pressing of free men into military service was considered a royal prerogative. Pressgangs claimed many innocents who stumbled into the … Continue reading

Posted in British history, British Navy, Georgian England, Great Britain, history, Living in the Regency, Napoleonic Wars, Regency era | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

History of The Odiham Agricultural Society and the Release of “Mr. Darcy’s Bet”

Britain’s first veterinary college has its roots in Hampshire’s Odiham Agricultural Society, formed on 16 May 1783 for the purpose of encouraging local development of industry and agriculture. Livestock breeding and management was very important to this group. The activities … Continue reading

Posted in book excerpts, book release, British history, Church of England, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, history, Jane Austen, Living in the UK, medieval, Pride and Prejudice, publishing, real life tales, science, Vagary, Wales, world history, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

What Does a Renown French Astronomer Have to Do with the Release of “Mr. Darcy’s Bet?” + a Giveaway

Charles Messier was born in Badonviller on 26 June 1730 in the Lorraine region of France. He was the tenth of twelve children. Six of his siblings died young. Messier’s interest in astronomy was fired by, first, the Great Comet … Continue reading

Posted in book excerpts, book release, excerpt, Georgian England, Georgian Era, historical fiction, history, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, Napoleonic Wars, Pride and Prejudice, publishing, real life tales, Regency era, Regency romance, research, Uncategorized, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments