Category Archives: Living in the UK

The Bloody Assizes and the Demon Judge, George Jeffreys

Posted on October 15, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

The Bloody Assizes and the Demon Judge, George Jeffreys Historical Context With the death of Oliver Cromwell in 1658, the newly-elected Parliament “restored” Charles II to the throne of England. Charles II’s reign (1660-1685) was marked by political unrest. The … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Great Britain, Living in the UK, political stance, real life tales, religion, royalty | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Adder Stones? Hag Stones? Witch Stones? Magical Powers or False Hopes?

Posted on October 13, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

Adder Stones, Hag Stones, Witch Stones…Do You Know These? Adder stones are usually glass stones with a naturally occurring stone in them. Archaeologists have found them in both Britain and Egypt. In Britain, they stones are also called hag stones, … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, customs and tradiitons, gothic and paranormal, legends and myths, Living in the UK | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Legend of the Black Dog in the British Isles

Posted on October 9, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

A black dog is the name given to a being found primarily in the folklores of the British Isles. The black dog is essentially a nocturnal apparition, often said to be associated with the Devil or a Hellhound. Its appearance … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, gothic and paranormal, Great Britain, legends and myths, Living in the UK, mystery | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

The Concept of a “Marriage of Convenience” as a Plot Line in Jane Austen’s Novels

Posted on September 26, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

What hope was there for the dowerless daughters of the middle class during Jane Austen’s lifetime? Such is a topic Austen explored repeatedly in her novels. Elizabeth and Jane Bennet sought men of a like mind. The Dashwood sisters found … Continue reading →

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Victorian Folklore Legend: Spring-Heeled Jack

Posted on September 24, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

As a native West Virginian, I grew up on the Mothman prophecies, the story line behind the 2002 movie of the same name, which was intermixed with the collapse of the Silver Bridge in Point Pleasant, West Virginia. The Mothman … Continue reading →

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Origin of “Rub-a-dub-dub” Nursery Rhyme

Posted on September 23, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

As part of my writing of “The Prosecution of Mr. Darcy’s Cousin,” I completed research on “Rub-A-Dub-Dub,” an English language nursery rhyme first published at the end of the eighteenth century. The nursery rhyme plays out as part of the … Continue reading →

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Maria Fagniani, Marchioness of Hertford and Regency Era Eccentric

Posted on September 18, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

The mistresses of the Prince Regent and his brothers were as well known. The Duke of Clarence, for example, sired ten children with Mrs Jordan, and the Duke of York’s relationship with Mary Anne Clarke caused a major scandal over … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, George IV, Great Britain, Inheritance, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, real life tales, Regency era, Regency personalities | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Henry ‘Orator’ Hunt, British Radical of the Industrial Age

Posted on September 17, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

Henry “Orator” Hunt (6 November 1773–15 February 1835) was a British radical speaker and agitator, who advocated parliamentary reform and the repeal of the Corn Laws. Because of his rousing speeches at mass meetings held in Spa Fields in London … Continue reading →

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The Face of Jack the Ripper Revealed

Posted on September 15, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

The Face of Jack the Ripper Last Monday (September 8), I included a post on The Brutality of Jack the Ripper. This is one of my favorite sources on the crime. In 2006, BBC News brought us a look at … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Living in the UK, mystery, Victorian era | Tagged , | 2 Comments

England Thrives Under George III

Posted on September 11, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

England Changes Under George III’s Reign In 1762, the year George III and his wife Queen Charlotte gave the English people the first heir born to a ruling monarch since the “Old Pretender,” James II’s son (1688), Britain was on … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, buildings and structures, George IV, Georgian Era, Great Britain, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, Napoleonic Wars, real life tales, War of 1812 | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments