Category Archives: peerage

Dukes: a Dime a Dozen… British Peerages

Posted on May 20, 2024 by Regina Jeffers

Those of us who write historical romances love our dukes. We create them left and right. I have two, which is not a large number when one considers I have 67 novels available: Brantley Fowler from A Touch of Velvet: … Continue reading →

Posted in Anglo-Normans, Anglo-Saxons, British history, customs and tradiitons, Georgian England, Georgian Era, kings and queens, legacy, Living in the UK, peerage, titles of aristocracy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

What is a “Letters Patent” and Why Is the Term Always Plural?

Posted on September 13, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

Letters patent is defined as a “type of legal instrument in the form of a published written order issued by a monarch, president or other head of state, generally granting an office, right, monopoly, title or status to a person or corporation. Letters patent can be used … Continue reading →

Posted in Act of Parliament, American History, aristocracy, British history, commerce, England, George IV, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, history, kings and queens, laws of the land, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, peerage, real life tales, Regency era, Regency personalities, research, terminology, Victorian era, word play, world history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on What is a “Letters Patent” and Why Is the Term Always Plural?

This and That Regarding the Concept of “Heirs” and “Naturalization” – A Bunch of Historical Facts Tossed Together for Your Enjoyment

Posted on August 25, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

The first boy born to a marriage is usually referred to as the “heir,” though a more legal term might be “heir apparent.” Birth notices are usually something to the effect of: “The Duchess of Devonshire, a son and heir.” The … Continue reading →

Posted in Act of Parliament, America, American History, aristocracy, British history, estates, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, history, Inheritance, laws of the land, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, peerage, real life tales, Regency era, research | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on This and That Regarding the Concept of “Heirs” and “Naturalization” – A Bunch of Historical Facts Tossed Together for Your Enjoyment

When Might the Heir Style Himself With His New Title in Regency Romances?

Posted on April 7, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

First, for legal purposes, the man must present himself to the House of Lords to claim the title officially. After the will has been read and its stipulations executed, the new peer must petition the Lord Chancellor for a writ … Continue reading →

Posted in Act of Parliament, British history, buildings and structures, customs and tradiitons, Georgian England, Georgian Era, history, peerage, titles of aristocracy, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on When Might the Heir Style Himself With His New Title in Regency Romances?

Regency Etiquette for Men and Women

Posted on March 20, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

I have never found an etiquette book publish during the Regency. The book named Regency Etiquette is not an etiquette book as we might think of it. The closest I once came was an etiquette book published in 1827. The … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, customs and tradiitons, dancing, Georgian England, Georgian Era, historical fiction, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, marriage customs, peerage, Pride and Prejudice, real life tales, Regency romance, research, romance, tradtions, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Honorific Titles and Honourables

Posted on March 13, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

Ornament from the Bookman Ornaments collection from American Type Founders – Public Domain After last week’s post on a “gentleman’s honor” and my brief mention of honorific titles, I had a reader ask exactly what such titles entailed and how … Continue reading →

Posted in American History, British history, customs and tradiitons, peerage, titles of aristocracy, tradtions | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Peerages: Those Which Can Be Inherited and Those Which Cannot

Posted on March 6, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

A hereditary peerage, generally passages from father to son, or to another. Those peerages which cannot be inherited are called “for life.” “By the 1950s, there was a feeling the membership of the House of Lords ought to be tackled. … Continue reading →

Posted in Act of Parliament, British history, Inheritance, Living in the UK, peerage, primogenture, research | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Peerages: Those Which Can Be Inherited and Those Which Cannot

Courtesy Title or Not, Part 2

Posted on January 9, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

I fear last Monday’s post stirred up more confusion than clarity. Such is the problem for many American writers of Regency era stories. Without a peerage system of our own in the U.S., we become easily confused. Most assuredly, I … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, customs and tradiitons, eBooks, Georgian England, Georgian Era, heroines, historical fiction, history, Inheritance, Living in the Regency, peerage, real life tales, Regency era, research, titles of aristocracy, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Courtesy Title or Not, Part 2

Peerage Law in Georgian England

Posted on January 27, 2021 by Regina Jeffers

TITLES (IN DISPUTE): One could not renounce an English title.  In the mid 20th century,  a law was passed allowing a man to disclaim a title he had not yet taken up. However, the title became “dormant,” and no one … Continue reading →

Posted in Act of Parliament, British history, customs and tradiitons, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, history, Inheritance, peerage, primogenture, Regency era, research | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Peerage Law in Georgian England

How Did Debrett’s Come By The Information Listed in “The New Peerage”?

Posted on November 6, 2020 by Regina Jeffers

I had an author friend send me an email question recently. She wanted to know if a man (her hero) had been married for some time, how well known would the marriage be to others in Society? Could he go … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, estates, Georgian England, Georgian Era, history, peerage | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on How Did Debrett’s Come By The Information Listed in “The New Peerage”?