Category Archives: Living in the UK

Victoria, Princess Royal, Becomes a Mother

Posted on February 8, 2019 by

Previously, we spoke of the marriage of Victoria, Princess Royal, to Prince Frederick of Prussia, later Frederick III, German Emperor and King of Prussia. View that article HERE. The princess was only 17 when she married “Fritz,” and she was … Continue reading →

Posted in acting, British history, Great Britain, Living in the UK, marriage, medieval, royalty, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Testing the Money: The Trial of Pyx

Posted on January 30, 2019 by

The Trial of Pyx is a near-800 year old ceremony to test Britain’s coinage. The Trial of the Pyx dates as far back as 1249. The Queen’s Remembrancer oversees the ceremony. Until the 19th century this duty was undertaken at the … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, commerce, customs and tradiitons, Living in the UK | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Annuities in the Regency as Basis for “Mr. Darcy’s Bargain”

Posted on January 11, 2019 by

Much of the action of my Mr. Darcy’s Bargain, is based around a scam perpetrated by Mr. Wickham upon the citizens of Meryton, as well as Mr. Darcy’s attempts to thwart him. Wickham convinces many in Hertfordshire to invest in an … Continue reading →

Posted in Act of Parliament, Austen Authors, book excerpts, book release, British currency, British history, British Navy, commerce, eBooks, George Wickham, historical fiction, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, Pride and Prejudice, publishing, Regency era, Regency romance, religion, Vagary | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The Beginning of the Turnpike Roads in Georgian England

Posted on January 4, 2019 by

 The roads leading into London were placed under the control of individual turnpike trusts during the first 30 years of the 1700s in England. My mid century, cross-routes were added to the list under turnpike trusts. The roads, especially those … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, buildings and structures, commerce, Georgian England, Industrial Revolution, Living in the UK, Scotland, travel | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

“First Footing” It Into the New Year

Posted on December 31, 2018 by

I come very proud Scots, and, in my family, New Year’s (or Hogmanay as it was once called) played a popular part of my childhood. Although I admit to overspending at Christmas, something psychological as being raised poor, I am … Continue reading →

Posted in Anglo-Saxons, British history, Christmas, Church of England, Great Britain, history, Living in the UK, medieval, real life tales, religion, research, Scotland, tradtions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Consecration of Westminster Abbey, 28 December 1065

Posted on December 28, 2018 by

The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster is a large Gothic abbey church in the City of Westminster, London, England, situated to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It was a Benedictine monastic church until the monastery was … Continue reading →

Posted in Anglo-Saxons, architecture, British history, buildings and structures, Church of England, customs and tradiitons, Great Britain, history, legends and myths, Living in the UK, medieval, real life tales, religion, tradtions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Have You Ever Heard of a “Bachelor Tax”?

Posted on December 10, 2018 by

In British history, in 1695, the English parliament passed The Marriage Duty Act or Registration Tax, which imposed a tax on births, marriages, burials, childless widowers, and bachelors over the age of 25. It was primarily used as a revenue … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, business, history, Living in the UK, marriage, real life tales, war, world history | Tagged , , , , , , ,