Category Archives: Living in the UK

Owain Glyndŵr, National Hero and The Last Native Welshman to Hold the Title “Prince of Wales”

Posted on January 12, 2015 by Regina Jeffers

Owain Glyndŵr (c. 1349 or 1359 to c. 1415) was the last native Welshman to hold the title Prince of Wales (Tywysog Cymru). He led an unsuccessful revolt against Henry IV of England. Glyndŵr’s family was part of the Anglo-Welsh … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Great Britain, legends and myths, Living in the UK, military, political stance, real life tales, Wales | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Owain Glyndŵr, National Hero and The Last Native Welshman to Hold the Title “Prince of Wales”

James Figg, Father of Modern Day Boxing

Posted on January 9, 2015 by Regina Jeffers

Born into a poor farming family, James Figg is considered the father of Modern Day Boxing. The youngest of seven children, Figg grew up in Thames Village, Oxfordshire. He had achieved renown as a master of the short sword and … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Georgian Era, Great Britain, legends and myths, Living in the UK, real life tales | Tagged , | 7 Comments

Jack Sheppard, Extraordinary Escape Artist, but Mediocre Thief

Posted on January 6, 2015 by Regina Jeffers

Jack Sheppard, Extraordinary Thief A favorite figure in verse, plays, and burlesque, John Sheppard was an 18th Century English thief. Born in Stepney on 4 March 1702, Sheppard spent several years (from the age of six) in the workhouse in … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Georgian Era, Great Britain, legends and myths, Living in the UK, real life tales | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

John Ketch, Infamous Executioner

Posted on November 25, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

An infamous English executioner employed by King Charles II, John Ketch was an Irish immigrant who became famous through the way he performed his duties during the tumultuous 1680s. He was mentioned in the broadsheets of the time. Appointed in … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Great Britain, history, legends and myths, Living in the UK, political stance, real life tales | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on John Ketch, Infamous Executioner

George William Finch-Hatton, 10th Earl of Winchilsea, Advocate for Protestant Principles

Posted on November 11, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

George William Finch-Hatton, 10th Earl of Winchilsea, 5th Earl of Nottingham (1791–1858) was an English politician known for duelling with Prime Minister Wellington. Hatton, born at Kirby Hall, Northamptonshire, on 19 May 1791, was grandson of Edward Finch-Hatton, and son … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, customs and tradiitons, dueling, George IV, Great Britain, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, military, real life tales, religion | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Douglas Jerrold, Playwright and Midshipman Serving Under Jane Austen’s Brother, Francis

Posted on November 10, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

Douglas William Jerrold (London 3 January 1803 – 8 June 1857 London) was an English dramatist and writer. Biography Jerrold’s father, Samuel Jerrold, was an actor and lessee of the little theatre of Wilsby near Cranbrook in Kent. In 1807 … Continue reading →

Posted in acting, British history, George IV, Great Britain, Jane Austen, Living in the UK, playwrights, theatre | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

A Comic Play: Black-Eyed Susan; or, All in the Downs

Posted on November 6, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

Black-Eyed Susan; or, All in the Downs is a comic play in three acts by Douglas Jerrold. The story concerns a sailor, William, who returns to England from the Napoleonic Wars and finds that his wife Susan is being harassed … Continue reading →

Posted in acting, British history, George IV, Great Britain, Living in the UK, playwrights, real life tales, theatre | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on A Comic Play: Black-Eyed Susan; or, All in the Downs

Legend of the Church Grim and Its Appearance in Harry Potter

Posted on October 29, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

The Church Grim, Kirk Grim, Kyrkogrim (Swedish) or Kirkonväki (Finnish) is a figure from English and Scandinavian folklore, said to be an attendant spirit, overseeing the welfare of its particular church. English Church Grims are said to enjoy loudly ringing … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, gothic and paranormal, Great Britain, legends and myths, Living in the UK, mystery | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Legend of the Church Grim and Its Appearance in Harry Potter

The Hound of Hergest Court, Inspiration for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s “Hound”

Posted on October 27, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

Hergest Court, found in Kington, Herefordshire, was once a fine home, but it is but a “shadow” of its former greatness. However, its decline appears appropriate when one considers the history of the building and of its owner. Many people … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, buildings and structures, gothic and paranormal, Great Britain, legends and myths, Living in the UK, mystery | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Sir Thomas Vaughan, a Patriot and a Traitor to Kings

Posted on October 24, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

Sir Thomas Vaughan (c. 1410 – June 1483) was a Welsh statesman and diplomat, who rose to prominence before and during the Wars of the Roses. He began as an adherent of Jasper Tudor and King Henry VI of England … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Elizabethan drama, gothic and paranormal, Great Britain, legends and myths, Living in the UK, mystery | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment