Category Archives: real life tales

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

Consumption of Alcohol During the Regency Era

Posted on August 21, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

Alcohol consumption was somewhat “necessary” during the Regency Era, as well as before and after that particular time period. Water obtained from public sources was unsanitary. The Georgian England site tells us, “The growth of cities and towns during the … Continue reading →

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His Majesty “Farmer George”

Posted on August 14, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

If one were to search history books, he would learn that King George III was King of England during the American Revolutionary War. He might also discover that the same King George “went mad” in his later years. Hopefully, the … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, buildings and structures, family, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, kings and queens, Living in the Regency, real life tales, Regency era, royalty, science | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Use of Dog Carts in Regency England

Posted on August 11, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

In my first post of August, a reader asked about a means for a female to go about the estate to paint scenery, etc. In my response, among my suggestions, I mentioned the use of dog carts as a possibility … Continue reading →

Posted in Act of Parliament, British history, Georgian England, Georgian Era, history, laws of the land, real life tales, Regency era, research, travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Common Law of Dower or What Does the Wife Inherit During the Regency?

Posted on July 19, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

Originally there were varieties of dower (not to be confused with dowry) such as dower ad ostium ecclesiae (“at the church door”) and dower ex assensu patris (by the heir with his father’s consent), in which before the couple was married, the wife was endowed of particular pieces of the property – specific lands. In Medieval times more so than modern ones, sometimes land held in knight service was exonerated from dower by the widow’s taking dower de la pluis beale (“of the most fair”) of her husband’s socage land. Continue reading →

Posted in British history, estates, family, finance, Georgian England, Georgian Era, history, Inheritance, Living in the Regency, marriage customs, primogenture, real life tales, Regency era, research | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Cheddar Man and Mr. Targett: Stone Age Connections

Posted on July 14, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

Okay, today, I am not talking about cheese, though the “gentleman” in question is associated with Cheddar, England, which is famous for its cheese. Cheddar is also famous for Cheddar Gorge and a line of limestone caves found there. Rather, … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, England, exploration, family, Great Britain, history, real life tales, science, world history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

How Was It to Shop in Market Towns and Villages of Early 1800s England?

Posted on June 12, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

Obviously, there would not be street vendors, but rather peddlers, who would travel from village to village, selling their ware. “A peddler, in British English pedlar, also known as a canvasser, cheapjack, monger, higler or solicitor (with negative connotations since the … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Great Britain, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, real life tales, Regency era, Uncategorized, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Portland Place, London’s Widest Street and the Adam Brothers’ Legacy

Posted on June 9, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

Portland Place was designed by Robert and James Adam in 1767. Originally, Robert Adam had thought to make this area a veritable street of palaces. Unfortunately for Adam, all attempts to do so failed, and rows of townhouses, though spacious and more than a bit intimidating at times, was settled upon. A “close” of great houses it has been called. The width of the thoroughfare/street was determined by the 3rd Duke of Portland’s obligations to his tenant, Lord Thomas Foley, whose northward view from Foley House could not be interfered with: Therefore, the width of Portland Place is the width of Foley House. At around 125 feet wide, the street is commonly referred to as the widest street in London. The agreement was signed in January 1767 and confirmed by an Act of Parliament in April of that year. James Adam negotiated the understanding for the development, which, initially, only covered the southern half of Portland Place, as well as the streets leading off it to either side, going as far north as Weymouth Street. The agreement for the northern half was negotiated in April 1776. Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, aristocracy, British history, buildings and structures, Georgian England, Georgian Era, history, legacy, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, real life tales, Regency era | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Portland Place, London’s Widest Street and the Adam Brothers’ Legacy

Architectural Genius: Robert Adam vs. Sir William Chambers

Posted on June 7, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

Adelphi is a district in the City of Westminster. The Adelphi Buildings, a block of 24 unified neoclassical terrace houses, between The Strand and the River Thames in the parish of St Martin in the Fields, was named “Adelphi,” for it the Greek word meaning “brothers.” The Adam brothers (John, Robert, James, and William Adam) were the masterminds of this development in the late 1700s. They were built between 1768 and 1772. The ruins of Durham House on the site were demolished for the construction.

The Adelphi forms one of the most notable works of the brothers Adam. The design of the buildings was, for the most part, the work of Robert Adam, though his brothers, James and William, were also concerned with the scheme. Continue reading →

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The London Building Act of 1774

Posted on June 5, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

The Building Act of 1774 changed the look of London and set off rapid estate development. Many of the aristocracy decided to build large, expansive houses in London. The Duke of Manchester was one of those who took advantage of the situation and had a house built on Portman land in what is now called Manchester Square. Stratford Place was built on a triangular piece of land purchased from the City by the Honourable Edward Stratford. Nowadays, it is sometimes referred to as “London’s grandest cul-de-sac.” Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, British history, buildings and structures, Georgian England, Georgian Era, history, laws of the land, Living in the UK, real life tales, Regency era, research | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on The London Building Act of 1774