Category Archives: real life tales

A Jane Austen Time Line

Posted on December 29, 2015 by Regina Jeffers

1764-The Reverend George Austen marries Cassandra Leigh. They take up residence at Deane Parsonage in Hampshire. 1765 (to 1819) – Brother James was born. Like his sister, James had literary aspirations, but he never knew even the success than Jane could … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Great Britain, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, real life tales, Regency era | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Celebrating a Regency Christmas

Posted on December 14, 2015 by Regina Jeffers

When most people consider a Regency Christmas, they are really envisioning a Victorian one. During the Regency Period (1811-1820), Christmastide began on Christmas Day and ended with a Twelfth Night celebration. There are few references to Christmas traditions in Regency … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Great Britain, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, real life tales, Regency era, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

William Caxton, Publisher and Translator

Posted on December 11, 2015 by Regina Jeffers

Born in Hadlow, Kent around 1420, William Caxton traveled to London somewhere between the age of 14 and 16 to serve as an apprentice to a London merchant, When Caxton’s master passed, Caxton inherited a sum large enough to begin his … Continue reading →

Posted in Age of Chaucer, British history, Great Britain, real life tales | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

London’s Architecture and Commerce Combine in The Royal Exchange

Posted on December 9, 2015 by Regina Jeffers

The Royal Exchange, a trapezoid-shaped structure, was opened by Queen Elizabeth I in 1571. Cornhill and Threadneedle Streets flank the exchange. The original building was destroyed by the Great Fire in 1666. It was rebuilt in 1669 and again destroyed … Continue reading →

Posted in Age of Chaucer, British history, Great Britain, real life tales, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on London’s Architecture and Commerce Combine in The Royal Exchange

John Gower, Medieval English Poet and Contemporary of William Langland and Geoffrey Chaucer

Posted on December 4, 2015 by Regina Jeffers

John Gower was a medieval English poet whose work spoke of moral allegory and courtly love. He was known to be a friend of Geoffrey Chaucer and their styles were compatible. Gower was said to influence many other poets of … Continue reading →

Posted in Age of Chaucer, Anglo-Normans, British history, Great Britain, real life tales, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

November 30 ~ St. Andrew’s Day

Posted on November 30, 2015 by Regina Jeffers

Who was Saint Andrew ? Despite what many may think, St. Andrew, who is the patron saint of Scotland, did not live and work in that country. In fact, his legendary connections to Scotland appeared centuries after his death. Andrew, … Continue reading →

Posted in Act of Parliament, British history, Great Britain, real life tales, Scotland, St. Andrew | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

‘Tis the Season, Celebrating What is Known as “Christmastide”

Posted on November 27, 2015 by Regina Jeffers

Christmastide (also Christmas or the Christmas season) is one of the seasons of the liturgical year of most Christian churches. It tends to be defined (with slight variations) as the period from Christmas Eve to the Epiphany. This period is … Continue reading →

Posted in real life tales | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on ‘Tis the Season, Celebrating What is Known as “Christmastide”

What Does It Mean to “Be Knighted”?

Posted on November 19, 2015 by Regina Jeffers

In Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Sir William Lucas has been knighted by the King for his service as to Meryton. But what exactly does it mean to be knighted? Knighthoods likely date back to ancient Rome. At that time … Continue reading →

Posted in Anglo-Normans, British history, Great Britain, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, real life tales, Regency era, Uncategorized | 9 Comments

London Architecture: The Burlington Arcade

Posted on November 17, 2015 by Regina Jeffers

This is my second piece on London Architectural excellence. See my previous piece on Woburn Walk HERE. Today we look at the Burlington Arcade.  Located in the heart of Mayfair, we find the Burlington Arcade, a Grade II shopping center dating … Continue reading →

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

William Langland, Cleric and Social Reformer and Author of “Piers Plowman”

Posted on November 16, 2015 by Regina Jeffers

William Langland is the presumed author of the Middle English alliterative poem known as Piers the Ploughman. “After George Kane’s thorough study of the available internal and external evidence in his Piers Plowman: The Evidence for Authorship (1965), single authorship … Continue reading →

Posted in Age of Chaucer, Anglo-Normans, British history, Great Britain, real life tales | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on William Langland, Cleric and Social Reformer and Author of “Piers Plowman”