Category Archives: laws of the land

A Hodgepodge of Thoughts on What It Meant to Be the “Heir” in Regency England

Posted on January 13, 2025 by Regina Jeffers

Regularly, I have a number of people who ask me questions regarding points in the story he/she is writing. Heck, I have a handful of those of whom I ask my questions also. On Facebook, I belong to a group … Continue reading →

Posted in Act of Parliament, American History, British history, customs and tradiitons, England, family, Georgian England, Georgian Era, history, laws of the land, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, peerage, primogenture, Regency era, research, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Succession or Stipulation – Inheritance Questions from a Reader

Posted on December 11, 2024 by Regina Jeffers

QUESTION FROM A READER: I have read in some stories where a gentleman is made a peer through the death of the title holder. A will is then produced indicating that in order to keep the fortune and lands the … Continue reading →

Posted in aristocracy, British history, customs and tradiitons, estates, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, historical fiction, history, laws of the land, reading, real life tales, research | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

THE HUSBAND’S LEGAL RIGHTS DURING THE GEORGIAN ERA: Is His Wife Property or Merely His Responsibility?

Posted on December 9, 2024 by Regina Jeffers

First, permit me to introduce you to Sir William Blackstone (1723-1780), who shaped much of what we know of law in the Georgian Era. Sir William Blackstone was an English jurist, justice and Tory politician most noted for his Commentaries … Continue reading →

Posted in Act of Parliament, British history, Georgian England, Georgian Era, laws of the land, Living in the Regency, real life tales, Regency era, research | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Dealing With the Mentally Incompetent During the Regency Era was a Case of “Who Has the Money?”

Posted on December 4, 2024 by Regina Jeffers

When one’s King is considered mentally ill, one might think there was be some sympathy for the populace, but there assuredly was not. First, let us look to King George III. King George III was subject to periods of mental … Continue reading →

Posted in aristocracy, British history, customs and tradiitons, Georgian England, Georgian Era, history, laws of the land, Living in the Regency, medicine, real life tales, Regency era | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Dealing With the Mentally Incompetent During the Regency Era was a Case of “Who Has the Money?”

The “Roots” of Labor Day

Posted on September 2, 2024 by Regina Jeffers

For this Labor Day, I am sharing a variety of sources on the history of the Labor movement and the founding of Labor Day in 1894. CNN tells us, “Labor Day was first celebrated unofficially by labor activists and individual … Continue reading →

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Gretna Green: The “Las Vegas” Marriage Destination of the Regency Period

Posted on July 15, 2024 by Regina Jeffers

Scottish Elopements and the Marriage Act of 1753 “An Act for Better Preventing of Clandestine Marriage,” popularly known as Lord Hardwicke’s Marriage Act (1753), was the first statutory legislation in England and Wales to require a formal ceremony of marriage. … Continue reading →

Posted in Act of Parliament, British history, Church of England, customs and tradiitons, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, Gretna Green, historical fiction, history, Jane Austen, laws of the land, Living in the Regency, marriage, marriage customs, marriage licenses, Pride and Prejudice, reading, real life tales, Regency romance, terminology, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Catholic and Protestants Marrying + “Lord Fearghal’s English Bride” + a Giveaway of “Regency Summer Weddings” Anthology

Posted on July 3, 2024 by Regina Jeffers

Book Blurb: HERS WAS A CONVENIENT ARRANGEMENT  Lady Claire Waterstone has spent more years out of England than she has enjoying English society. In fact, she feels very odd in making her Come Out with girls four to five years … Continue reading →

Posted in book excerpts, book release, Church of England, customs and tradiitons, Dreamstone Publishing, eBooks, Georgian England, Georgian Era, giveaway, heroines, historical fiction, Ireland, laws of the land, marriage customs, publishing, Regency era, Regency romance, religion, research, romance, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

June ~ the Month of Love and Marriage: Marriage by Proxy, Possible or Myth?

Posted on June 17, 2024 by Regina Jeffers

When the Hardwick Act for the Prevention of Clandestine Marriages went into effect in March of 1754, the rules for marrying in England changed dramatically. Prior to that time, all the couple had to do was to pronounce their vows before a clergyman of the Church of England. Heck, it did not even have to be one’s local clergyman or even one’s local church. In fact, the Fleet Street prison saw quite a few marriages in those days Continue reading →

Posted in Act of Parliament, book excerpts, book release, British history, customs and tradiitons, England, Georgian England, Georgian Era, giveaway, historical fiction, history, Jane Austen, laws of the land, Living in the Regency, marriage, marriage customs, marriage licenses, Pride and Prejudice, publishing, reading, real life tales, Regency era, Regency romance, research, Vagary, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

What is a “Letters Patent” and Why Is the Term Always Plural?

Posted on September 13, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

Letters patent is defined as a “type of legal instrument in the form of a published written order issued by a monarch, president or other head of state, generally granting an office, right, monopoly, title or status to a person or corporation. Letters patent can be used … Continue reading →

Posted in Act of Parliament, American History, aristocracy, British history, commerce, England, George IV, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, history, kings and queens, laws of the land, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, peerage, real life tales, Regency era, Regency personalities, research, terminology, Victorian era, word play, world history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on What is a “Letters Patent” and Why Is the Term Always Plural?

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