Category Archives: real life tales

Happy 14th Book Birthday to “Darcy’s Passions,” the Book Which Made Me a “Fiction Author”

Posted on February 6, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

During the 2007-2008 school year, I complained to my Advanced Placement Language class about a particular novel I had been reading for “pleasure,” what we would now call Jane Austen Fan Fiction (JAFF), a genre just building in popularity for … Continue reading →

Posted in Always Austen, Austen Authors, book excerpts, book release, books, eBooks, Georgian England, Georgian Era, historical fiction, Jane Austen, marriage, Pride and Prejudice, publishing, reading, reading habits, real life tales, Regency era, Regency romance, romance, Ulysses Press, Vagary, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 33 Comments

Abolitionism in the UK and the Rerelease of “Darcy’s Temptation” + a Giveaway

Posted on January 27, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, a movement took root to end the practice of slavery in the United Kingdom, as well as the British empire, including putting an end to the Atlantic slave trade. Western Europe and … Continue reading →

Posted in America, American History, book excerpts, book release, British history, British Navy, eBooks, England, excerpt, film, film adaptations, Georgian England, Georgian Era, giveaway, historical fiction, history, Jane Austen, Living in the UK, Pride and Prejudice, publishing, reading habits, real life tales, Realm series, Regency era, Regency personalities, Regency romance, religion, research, romance, Vagary, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Derbyshire and Well Dressings and the ReRelease of “Darcy Temptation” + a Giveaway

Posted on January 23, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

The origin of the practice of what is known as “well dressings” is a bit of a mystery. Most believe the celebration dates back to the Celts, but few places, other than Derbyshire and Staffordshire, England, have kept the tradition. … Continue reading →

Posted in book release, British history, buildings and structures, Church of England, customs and tradiitons, Georgian England, Georgian Era, heroines, historical fiction, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, marriage, Pride and Prejudice, publishing, reading habits, real life tales, Regency era, Regency romance, research, tradtions, Vagary, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Cost of a Woman’s Clothing in the Regency Era

Posted on January 20, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

Recently, I had someone ask me about the cost of such items as court gowns for presentation to the queen and dresses for the London season. Another question came only a week or so later asking about food stuffs, etc. … Continue reading →

Posted in British currency, British history, business, customs and tradiitons, fashion, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, marriage, marriage customs, Pride and Prejudice, real life tales, Regency era, Regency romance, research | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Using Cradles Through The Ages

Posted on January 13, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

We all likely know something of “Rock-a-bye Baby“ as a nursery rhyme and lullaby. The melody is a variant of the song comes from an English satirical ballad called ‘Lillibullero,‘ a march that became popular in England at the time of … Continue reading →

Posted in American History, British history, George IV, Georgian England, Georgian Era, history, real life tales, Regency era, word origins, world history | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

Church Courts During the Regency Era

Posted on January 11, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

The church courts in Britain controlled the behavior of their clergymen. Yet, what all was involved? What were the “powers” of the bishop of each diocese? The bishop had to ordain all clergymen. His approval was required for anyone who … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, buildings and structures, Church of England, Georgian England, Georgian Era, history, Living in the Regency, real life tales, Regency era, religion, research | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Church Courts During the Regency Era

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

The Cotton or Cottonian Library

Posted on January 6, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

A bust of Robert Cotton by Louis-François Roubiliac ~ Public Domain ~ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_Robert_Cotton,_1st_Baronet,_of_Connington#/media/File:Robert_Bruce_Cotton_bust_BM_1924_0412_1.jpg Keeping with Wednesday’s post on Circulating Libraries, I thought I might mention a library some, especially in the U.S. have not considered. The Cotton Library was founded by … Continue reading →

Posted in Age of Chaucer, architecture, books, British history, Chaucer, Church of England, England, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, history, literature, medieval, publishing, real life tales, Regency era, religion, research, war | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on The Cotton or Cottonian Library

Celebrating the Birth of Jane Austen: 16 December 1775 – What I Learned from Jane Austen

Posted on December 16, 2022 by Regina Jeffers

(This post was originally published on December 16, 2010. However, I could not permit Austen’s birthday to pass without notice.) It is a truth universally acknowledged that Jane Austen remains an inspiration to throngs of readers more than two centuries … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Great Britain, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, real life tales, Regency era, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 95 Comments

The Rise of the Paston Family from Yeomanry to the Ranks of the Greatest Landowners in England and The Paston Letters

Posted on November 30, 2022 by Regina Jeffers

Although they are not held as a single collection, the Paston Letters provide insight into 15th Century life, which no other set of documents can. They are a record of a family’s correspondence, from different members of the Paston family, … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, buildings and structures, history, medieval, military, political stance, real life tales, research | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on The Rise of the Paston Family from Yeomanry to the Ranks of the Greatest Landowners in England and The Paston Letters