Category Archives: Living in the Regency

Militia Officers in Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”

What was the difference between the militia officers found in Regency-based novels such as Mr. Wickham in Pride and Prejudice and the Regulars, such as Colonel Fitzwilliam, in the same book? At the time of the war with Napoleon, Great … Continue reading

Posted in Austen actors, British history, George Wickham, Georgian England, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, military, Napoleonic Wars, Pride and Prejudice, Regency era | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 43 Comments

Were Ambulances Available in the Regency Era?

I had a question from one of my readers recently. She had read a book set in the Regency era, and, in it, an ambulance was called for to fetch a patient to a hospital. Naturally, she wanted to know … Continue reading

Posted in British history, England, Georgian England, Georgian Era, history, Living in the Regency, medicine, Napoleonic Wars, real life tales, Regency era, research | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Use of the Word “Dowager” During the Regency Era

In the Regency, the word dowager was used in newspapers, letters, the Gazette,  and on letters. One was never addressed as a “Dowager.” One does not say, “Good day, Dowager Countess.” The woman is simply addressed as a “Lady So-and-So.” … Continue reading

Posted in British history, customs and tradiitons, Georgian England, Georgian Era, history, language choices, Living in the Regency, Regency era, titles of aristocracy, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

The Do’s and Don’t’s of Writing of a Peer’s Time in the Houses of Parliament

When writing British Regencies and other historicals set in the 1700s and 1800s, one must know something of inheritance laws, as well as how Parliament operated during those times. Below, you will find a mishmash of facts I have learned, … Continue reading

Posted in Act of Parliament, aristocracy, British history, buildings and structures, England, Georgian England, Georgian Era, history, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, peerage, Regency era, research | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on The Do’s and Don’t’s of Writing of a Peer’s Time in the Houses of Parliament

Life Below Stairs – The ‘Pugs’ Procession of Precedence

A sense of status above stairs was to be expected among the aristocracy, but it was no less observed below stairs. For example, the lower servants often spoke poorly of the “Pug’s” Procession, which happened after the first course of … Continue reading

Posted in British history, estates, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, Regency era, servant life, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Life Below Stairs ~ Housing the Servants

It was not uncommon for an English aristocrat or a wealthy man of the gentry to own several properties: country estates and a London house in a fashionable area of London. In doing so, the owner employed a variety of … Continue reading

Posted in British history, buildings and structures, Georgian, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, real life tales, Regency era, Victorian era, William IV | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Life Below Stairs ~ The Role of the Male Servant

  The English aristocrat often lived beyond his means. Maintaining country houses (often several of them) and a large Georgian town house in Mayfair took its toll on his purse strings. In addition to owning the property, Society forced him … Continue reading

Posted in British history, Georgian Era, Great Britain, Living in the Regency, real life tales, Regency era | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Life Below Stairs – The Valet

Footmen as we learned the last time often thought to join the upper servants in the role of valet or butler. (We saw the character of Thomas Barrow work in all three positions in Downton Abbey.) Today we have a … Continue reading

Posted in British history, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, Regency era, servant life, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Fashion, Flirting, and Fundamental Views with the 18th-Century Fan, a Guest Post from Linné Elizabeth + the Release of “Crime and Culpability: A Jane Austen Mystery Anthology”

How do you communicate without saying a word? Today, most people agree that text messages or messenger apps check that box. Lacking this tech in the 18th and 19th centuries, men and women resorted to more creative options. Parasols, postage … Continue reading

Posted in blog hop, book release, customs and tradiitons, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Guest Post, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, mystery, publishing, reading, real life tales, Regency era, Regency romance, research, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Fashion, Flirting, and Fundamental Views with the 18th-Century Fan, a Guest Post from Linné Elizabeth + the Release of “Crime and Culpability: A Jane Austen Mystery Anthology”

Life Below Stairs – The Expense of Keeping Servants

The landed aristocrats were VERY slow to give up the expenses of an extensive household staff. We saw that “plot” being used in the final season of Downton Abbey. It is said that the sixth Duke of Portland employed some … Continue reading

Posted in British history, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, Napoleonic Wars, Regency era, servant life, Uncategorized, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment