Category Archives: Inheritance

Serendipity in the Writing Process + the Coming Release on Friday of “The Colonel’s Ungovernable Governess” + a Giveaway

Posted on May 8, 2024 by Regina Jeffers

Those of you who know me, know something of my writing process. For example, I still compose in a wide ruled spiral notebook. I choose wide ruled because I can write such words as “timeline” in the margin without breaking … Continue reading →

Posted in Anglo-Normans, Anglo-Saxons, book excerpts, book release, books, eBooks, etymology, excerpt, family, Georgian England, Georgian Era, giveaway, historical fiction, history, Inheritance, Jane Austen, language choices, Living in the Regency, Pride and Prejudice, primogenture, publishing, Regency era, Regency romance, research, terminology, word origins, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Courtesy Titles (or) Not, a Confusing Aspect of Reading and Writing Historical Novels

Posted on December 11, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

One of the most confusing aspects of writing Regency-based novels is the issue of courtesy titles. We authors are always going back and questioning what we think we know. I have heard readers say to me that this is one … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Inheritance, titles of aristocracy | Tagged , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Women’s Rights to Property During the Regency Era

Posted on November 20, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

Women’s rights to property plays out in several of my stories, including, Captain Stanwick’s Bride, therefore, I searched for minute details regarding whether women could inherit property after their husband’s demise. Although I thought I knew the answer, I wanted … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, family, Georgian England, Georgian Era, history, Inheritance, Regency era, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Women’s Rights to Property During the Regency Era

“Kinks” in the Peerage Laws in Great Britain

Posted on November 3, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

First, and foremost, one must understand the creation of peerages is a royal prerogative. Letters patent are used exclusively now for this task, but this was not always so. Letters patent are a form of open or public proclamation and a … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Church of England, customs and tradiitons, Elizabeth I, England, estates, Georgian England, Georgian Era, history, Inheritance, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, real life tales, Regency era, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Mystery and Suspense Month: The Earl Claims His Comfort: Book 2 of the Twins’ Trilogy on Sale Until November 5

Posted on October 6, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

ALL BOOKS FEATURED THIS MONTH ARE ON SALE IN THE eBOOK VERSION FOR $1.39. GRAB THEM WHILE THE PRICE IS RIGHT. THE SALE ENDS SUNDAY,  5 NOVEMBER, 2023. In most historical romances, the idea of a peerage passing from one … Continue reading →

Posted in Black Opal Books, blog hop, book excerpts, book release, British history, Church of England, eBooks, estates, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, historical fiction, history, Inheritance, literature, Living in the Regency, primogenture, real life tales, Regency era, Regency romance, romance, suspense | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Mystery and Suspense Month: The Earl Claims His Comfort: Book 2 of the Twins’ Trilogy on Sale Until November 5

During the Regency, Could a Female Run an Estate in the Absence of the Male Heir?

Posted on August 28, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

Recently, one of my author friends sent me her Work in Progress manuscript for me to comment on what she had written to that point. She and I often bounce ideas off each other. Although beautifully written, making me sorry … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, family, Georgian England, Georgian Era, history, Inheritance, Living in the Regency, marriage, Napoleonic Wars, Pride and Prejudice, Realm series, research, titles of aristocracy, Vagary, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

This and That Regarding the Concept of “Heirs” and “Naturalization” – A Bunch of Historical Facts Tossed Together for Your Enjoyment

Posted on August 25, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

The first boy born to a marriage is usually referred to as the “heir,” though a more legal term might be “heir apparent.” Birth notices are usually something to the effect of: “The Duchess of Devonshire, a son and heir.” The … Continue reading →

Posted in Act of Parliament, America, American History, aristocracy, British history, estates, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, history, Inheritance, laws of the land, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, peerage, real life tales, Regency era, research | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on This and That Regarding the Concept of “Heirs” and “Naturalization” – A Bunch of Historical Facts Tossed Together for Your Enjoyment

The Common Law of Dower or What Does the Wife Inherit During the Regency?

Posted on July 19, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

Originally there were varieties of dower (not to be confused with dowry) such as dower ad ostium ecclesiae (“at the church door”) and dower ex assensu patris (by the heir with his father’s consent), in which before the couple was married, the wife was endowed of particular pieces of the property – specific lands. In Medieval times more so than modern ones, sometimes land held in knight service was exonerated from dower by the widow’s taking dower de la pluis beale (“of the most fair”) of her husband’s socage land. Continue reading →

Posted in British history, estates, family, finance, Georgian England, Georgian Era, history, Inheritance, Living in the Regency, marriage customs, primogenture, real life tales, Regency era, research | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Guardianships During the Regency

Posted on June 23, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

So, who or what determined whether a person was a fit guardian? Guardianship during the Regency era had its strictures. For example, guardianship was not hereditary. If a guardian dies, someone had to apply to the Court in Chancery to be appointed the minor child’s next guardian. All children over the age of 14 had a right to suggest the person he or she wanted as guardian. Quite often two or three guardians were named in case one of them died before the child reached his/her majority. At one time, the guardians were the child’s godparents—2 males and 1 female for a male child and 2 females and 1 male for a female. The mother and her brother were often named. However, the mother lost her rights as guardian if she remarried. Continue reading →

Posted in book excerpts, book release, excerpt, family, Georgian England, Georgian Era, giveaway, heroines, historical fiction, Inheritance, Living in the Regency, publishing, reading habits, Regency era, Regency romance, romance, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

The Duke Is Dead, Long Live the Duke . . . Now What?

Posted on May 17, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

During the Georgian era, a will could be declared void it the person was insane or drunk at the time of its creation or be voided if it was proven to have been written for a convicted felon, a prisoner, or an outlaw/thief. So it was also for those who committed suicide or had been excommunicated from the church or if the person was a slave. A married woman required the consent of her husband to have a will drawn up. Worst so, the husband had the right to withdraw his permission up until the will was probated. Because the legal age to marry during the time was 14 for boys and 12 for girls, such was the same ages for wills. Continue reading →

Posted in Act of Parliament, aristocracy, British history, estates, family, Georgian England, Georgian Era, history, Inheritance, laws of the land, legacy, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, real life tales, Regency era, titles of aristocracy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments