Category Archives: Living in the UK

The Yorkshire Giant

William Bradley (1787 – 1820) was commonly known as “The Yorkshire Giant” He was born on 10 February 1787 in Market Weighton in Yorkshire’s East Riding. He was the fourth of thirteen children. Weighing in at 14 pounds (6.35 kg) … Continue reading

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Rodean School, a Victorian School for Young Girls

Last week when I was writing the piece on the Brighton and Rottingdean Seashore Electric Railroad, I came across a short piece on another Rottingdean (East Sussex) landmark that caught my interest. It is Roedean School, a famous private school … Continue reading

Posted in British history, British Navy, buildings and structures, history, Living in the UK, real life tales, research, war | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The Amazing “Daddy Long Legs” and Brighton’s History

Many of us who write Regency Romance have our tales connected to Brighton, a seaside resort some 50 miles removed from London, in East Sussex. Brighton’s popularity with the rich, famous, and royal continued in the 19th century, and saw … Continue reading

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James and Henry Austen and “The Loiterer” ~ Literary Influences on Jane Austen

Many of those around her influenced Jane Austen, but Henry Austen’s and James Austen’s influences were profound. Most of Austen’s biographers believe that Henry was Austen’s favorite brother and James her least favorite. James Austen was the eldest of the … Continue reading

Posted in British history, Georgian England, Georgian Era, history, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex’s Two Illegal Marriages

Prince Augustus Frederick was the sixth son and ninth child of King George III and Queen Charlotte. He was born at Buckingham House on 27 January 1773. He was initially tutored at home. However, in 1785, along with his brothers, … Continue reading

Posted in British history, Church of England, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, history, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, marriage | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The Opera in Jane Austen’s London

I think you judge very wisely in putting off your London visit, and I am mistaken if it be not put off for some time. You speak with such noble resignation of Mrs. Jordan and the Opera House, that it … Continue reading

Posted in British history, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, Regency era, theatre | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Catholic Peers in Georgian England

 Over the centuries, the English people saw first Catholicism in favor, which was replaced by Protestantism, to be replaced by Catholicism again, and finally a return to Protestantism. The reigns of Henry VIII and his children brought a time of … Continue reading

Posted in British history, customs and tradiitons, family, George IV, Georgian England, history, Living in the UK, real life tales, royalty, titles of aristocracy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Catholic Peers in Georgian England

Jacob Rey (aka John King), a Jewish Money Lender in George III’s England

In A Touch of Love, book 6 in my highly popular Realm series, I  ventured into territory many Regency era writers avoid: the question of religious practices during the Regency. Georgette Heyer’s portrayal of Jews during the reign of George III … Continue reading

Posted in British history, business, Georgian England, Great Britain, history, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, real life tales, Regency era, Regency romance, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Educating England: The Importance of Sunday Schools, a Guest Post from Elaine Owen

This post first appeared on the Austen Authors’ blog on July 30, 2020. Enjoy! In England during the 18th and 19th centuries there was no such thing as universal education for children. The government had no formal program for making sure the … Continue reading

Posted in Austen Authors, British history, Church of England, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Guest Post, Industrial Revolution, Living in the UK, real life tales, religion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Real Life Influences Upon Jane Austen’s Novels

As authors of historical fiction, we take great pleasure in a research “tidbit,” which introduces our fictional characters to historical figures. I, for example, have introduced John Loudon McAdam, the father of the modern road, to the readers of A Touch of … Continue reading

Posted in British history, Georgian Era, Great Britain, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, Pride and Prejudice, real life tales, Regency era, Regency personalities, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on The Real Life Influences Upon Jane Austen’s Novels