Category Archives: real life tales

Exogamous and Endogamous Marriages in Austen’s Works

Brittanica.com defines an “endogamous marriage” as the custom enjoining one to marry within one’s own group, while Wikipedia says “endogamy” is the practice of marrying within a specific ethnic group, class, or social group, rejecting others on such a basis … Continue reading

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Peerage, Abdication, Inheritance, and Questions of Legality

When reading historical fiction/historical romance the issue of the title the gentleman holds often comes into play. There are many misconceptions, and I admit for those of us in the States, the concept can be a bit confusing. First thing … Continue reading

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People with Disabilities in Jane Austen’s England, a Guest Post by Elaine Owen

York Vs York: Changing Attitudes in Regency England In April, Elaine Owen shared this piece on Austen Authors. I thought it worthy of a second look.  Jane Austen did not write about disabled people in any of her books, but … Continue reading

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Sir Walter Scott, the Historical Romance, and the Creation of a National Identity – Part I

  Walter Scott was the first great writer to recognize the potential of historical romance as a “dramatic narration of national history, a modern commercial equivalent of the old national epic. Scott’s Waverley novels started out as the romance of … Continue reading

Posted in British history, historical fiction, Living in the Regency, publishing, real life tales, romantic verse, writing | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Chief John Norton, Real-Life Model for a Character in “The Prosecution of Mr. Darcy’s Cousin,” a 2016 Finalist for the Chanticleer International Book Awards

One of the characters in my latest Austenesque novel, The Prosecution of Mr. Darcy’s Cousin, is modeled upon that of John Norton (Teyoninhokarawen), who was a Mohawk Indian chief of Scottish birth. Norton attended school in Scotland and was a … Continue reading

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Do You Know the History of ®Murine Eye Drops?

I am forever adding allergy drops to stop my eyes from itching and later adding eye drops to prevent the dryness. It got me thinking…  Murine UK tells us this about the history of ®Murine: “The Murine® Eye Drops brand was first … Continue reading

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Why Do We Call a Toilet a “John”?

 Sir John Harington was a courtier, translator, a not so successful poet of the Elizabethan era. Harington’s father married an illegitimate daughter of Henry VIII. His second wife was attendant to Princess Elizabeth, and Queen Elizabeth I stood as godmother … Continue reading

Posted in British history, Elizabethan drama, poetry, real life tales, Tudors | Tagged , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Chanticleer International Book Award Finalist “The Prosecution of Mr. Darcy’s Cousin”

When I was writing my most recent cozy mystery, The Prosecution of Mr. Darcy’s Cousin, I spent many hours in research on the Regency era court system for a long trial scene occurs within the book. Correct verbiage and procedures were … Continue reading

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Georgian Era Commerce

Before the later part of the Georgian Period in England few buildings/structures specifically designed for trade and commerce existed. One need only to look at the timber wharfs of the Port of London to understand the haphazard way the people … Continue reading

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The Ladies of Llangollen, a Romantic Friendship, from Guest Author Sue Wilkes

The post originally appeared upon Austen Authors. I know you find it an exceptionally well researched and compelling tale.  It’s clear from Jane Austen’s novels and letters that female friendships played a very important role in her life. In Northanger … Continue reading

Posted in books, British history, Church of England, Georgian England, history, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, marriage, marriage customs, real life tales, romance | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments