Category Archives: real life tales

Happy July Birthdays to Some of Our Favorite “Austen” Actors

Posted on July 1, 2016 by Regina Jeffers

These fabulous actors brought us hours of pleasure with their performances…         July 1 – Trevor Eve, who portrayed Sir Selwyn Hardcastle in Death Comes to Pemberley   July 6 – Geraldine James, who was the voice … Continue reading →

Posted in film, Jane Austen, real life tales, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Sir Thomas Wyatt (c. 1503 – 1542), 16th C English Ambassador and Lyrical Poet

Posted on June 27, 2016 by Regina Jeffers

Born to Henry and Anne Wyatt at Allington Castle, near Maidstone, Kent, in 1503, Thomas Wyatt made his first appearance at the royal court in 1516 as Sewer Extraordinary to Henry VIII.  In 1516 he also entered St. John’s College, … Continue reading →

Posted in Great Britain, history, marriage, poetry, real life tales, romantic verse, Tudor | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Do You Know The Origin of These Words and Phrases?

Posted on June 16, 2016 by Regina Jeffers

Three Sheets to the Wind – Urban Dictionary defines this phrase to mean “to be explicitly drunk; inebriated.” The origin is likely found in practicality: Sheets actually refer to the ropes that are used to secure a ship’s sail. If the … Continue reading →

Posted in Age of Chaucer, Canterbury tales, etymology, history, Jane Austen, real life tales, tall tales, word origins, word play, writing | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

The Birth of Victoria, Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal

Posted on May 3, 2016 by Regina Jeffers

Only ten months after pronouncing her vows to her beloved Albert, Queen Victoria delivered forth the first of their children. The birth of Princess Victoria on 20 November 1840 was the first direct heir born to a reigning monarch in … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Church of England, customs and tradiitons, family, Great Britain, history, Living in the UK, marriage, marriage customs, real life tales, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on The Birth of Victoria, Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal

Jane Austen’s Love of the British Navy

Posted on April 6, 2016 by Regina Jeffers

In referring to the cult-like following of those who extolled all things involving Admiral Horatio Nelson, Jane Austen once wrote, “I am sick of Nelson.” Yet, the author always appreciated the lives of men in the Royal Navy. Two of … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, British Navy, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, real life tales, Regency era, Regency personalities | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Life Below Stairs ~ Part Four: The Work Never Ends

Posted on March 2, 2016 by Regina Jeffers

Up before dawn, the servants of an aristocratic household found the work tedious. Likely, the lower servants worked two hours before he/she was permitted to sit to his own meager breakfast. The kitchen maid began her day with lighting the … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Great Britain, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, real life tales, Regency era, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Life of the Gentry in the Regency Period

Posted on February 22, 2016 by Regina Jeffers

During the Regency Period, wealth and social class separated the English citizenry. Beginning with the Royals, citizens found their place based on birthright and wealth. The nobility stood above the gentry, who stood above the clergy, who stood above the … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Great Britain, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, real life tales, Regency era, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Life of the Gentry in the Regency Period

Life Below Stairs, Part II – Rules of Engagement

Posted on February 17, 2016 by Regina Jeffers

Previously, we looked at what a servant in an upper house, or even in a second-class household, of the late Regency Period or early Victorian times, might encounter. We spoke of wages, delineation of duties, and additional compensation. Today, we … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, buildings and structures, customs and tradiitons, estates, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, history, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, real life tales, Regency era, Victorian era | 9 Comments

Changes in Weaponry at the End of the Regency

Posted on February 16, 2016 by Regina Jeffers

This post appeared the last week of September 2015 on Caroline Warfield’s most-excellent blog on historical fiction/fact, but I thought I’d share it here in case some of you missed it. The first seven books of my award-winning “The Realm” … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Great Britain, Living in the Regency, real life tales, Realm series, Regency era, Victorian era, weaponry | Tagged , , , , , | 10 Comments

Welcome “Time Slip” Author, Heidi Sprouse + a Valentine Giveaway

Posted on February 10, 2016 by Regina Jeffers

Today, we welcome “Time Slip” Author, Heidi Sprouse to the blog. If you’re an Outlander fan, you must read Heidi’s new book, Whispers of Liberty.  Regina: Tell my followers something of yourself, Heidi. They love to discover new writers.  Heidi: … Continue reading →

Posted in real life tales | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments