Category Archives: medieval

The Village of Ewelme and Alice Chaucer, Duchess of Suffolk

Posted on July 13, 2018 by Regina Jeffers

In the wooded village of Ewelme in Oxfordshire, we discover an elaborate church monument incorporating a cadaver tomb at St Mary’s Church. An alabaster tomb, remaining essentially undamaged by time, is the resting place of Alice Chaucer, granddaughter of Geoffrey … Continue reading →

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The Theatre-Loving Fore-Runners of Shakespeare ~ Part I

Posted on November 3, 2017 by Regina Jeffers

 With the rediscovery of the works of Seneca, Plautus, and Terence, the renaissance of 16th Century England began. First edited in 1308 by an Nicholas Treveth, the tragedian Seneca remained unnoticed for some time by those in England, for Treveth … Continue reading →

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The Mappa Mundi, the World’s Largest Medieval Map

Posted on August 9, 2017 by Regina Jeffers

Housed in the Hereford Cathedreal, the Mappa Mundi is believed to the be the world’s largest medieval map. England specialized in world maps of the Middle Ages. They were drawn upon cloth or walls or animal skins.  Only those who … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa, Age of Chaucer, British history, buildings and structures, Church of England, medieval, real life tales | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Oxfordshire St. George Play

Posted on July 20, 2017 by Regina Jeffers

Closely related to the Morris and Sword Dancers, the Oxfordshire St. George Play is considered a kind of Mummers Play. As well as possessing close elements of kinship, the characters in all these plays are largely interchangeable. That being said, … Continue reading →

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17th Century Witch Hunter, Matthew Hopkins

Posted on May 5, 2017 by Regina Jeffers

 Matthew Hopkins was born in Wenham Magna, Suffolk, England. He was a Folk Figure, becoming England’s notorious “Witchfinder General,” active during the English Civil War. He was said to have exploited the fear and unrest of the times for his … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Church of England, gothic and paranormal, legends, medieval, mystery | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Celebrating the Release of “A Dance with Mr. Darcy: A Pride and Prejudice Vagary” + Giveaway

Posted on March 29, 2017 by Regina Jeffers

A major turning point in my latest Austen-inspired vagary, A Dance with Mr. Darcy, comes when Elizabeth permits Lydia to convince her to join in the St  Agnes Eve festivities.  But who was St Agnes? And why do we celebrate … Continue reading →

Posted in Austen Authors, book excerpts, book release, customs and tradiitons, eBooks, excerpt, giveaway, historical fiction, history, Jane Austen, marriage customs, medieval, Regency romance, religion, Vagary | Tagged , , , , , , , | 22 Comments

Historical Handfasting as a Plot Point in “A Dance with Mr. Darcy” + Excerpt + Giveaway

Posted on March 21, 2017 by Regina Jeffers

Although Darcy and Elizabeth do not come to their Happily Ever After in A Dance with Mr. Darcy through handfasting, it is a subject of discussion. They are in Scotland, and handfasting was a more common practice there. But what … Continue reading →

Posted in Austen Authors, book excerpts, book release, books, customs and tradiitons, eBooks, excerpt, historical fiction, history, Jane Austen, marriage, marriage customs, medieval, Pride and Prejudice, publishing, Regency romance, religion, Scotland, Vagary | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 36 Comments

An English Mystery Play: Abraham and Isaac, the Brome Non-Cycle Play

Posted on March 8, 2017 by Regina Jeffers

The sacrifice of Isaac is the basis for six extant Miracle plays. There is also the Coventry cycle of plays, where Isaac submits to his fate. In the Towneley Plays, which are part of the York cycle, Isaac is made … Continue reading →

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Did Richard II “Invent” the Handkerchief?

Posted on February 9, 2017 by Regina Jeffers

Okay, I will admit up front the history of Richard II’s reign is NOT my area of expertise, and so I do NOT mean this piece as a “history” lesson. Rather it is meant to be an interesting historical “tidbit.” … Continue reading →

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Pre-Elizabethan Drama: Folk Plays

Posted on January 6, 2017 by Regina Jeffers

Folk drama is a remote form of oral literature. The early forms included dancers wearing masks portraying animal and human characters. Eventually, speeches and songs were added. The action and the dramatic imitation became the prominent part of these early … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, drama, Great Britain, medieval, religion, theatre | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments