Category Archives: real life tales

Daniel Mendoza, Boxing Champion of England

Daniel Mendoza was the first Jewish prize fighter to become Champion of England (1792 to 1795). He stood but 5’7”, but Mendoza was a scrapper. Weighing in a 11.5 stone (160 pounds), he was billed as “Mendoza the Jew.” Mendoza was … Continue reading

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

The Mention of “PTSD” in Early Literature

I have a new release coming soon from Pegasus Books in which the illness we now call PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) plays a major role. The main character is accused of a series of violent crimes. Although he holds … Continue reading

Posted in American History, British history, Great Britain, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, real life tales | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Regency Lexicon – The Letters “X,” “Y,” and “Z”

Regency Era Lexicon – We’re Coming to the End – X, Y, and Z xebec – a small three-masted Mediterranean vessel with both square and lateen sails, originally used by Algerian pirates and later used for commerce yager – a … Continue reading

Posted in British history, Great Britain, Living in the Regency, real life tales, Regency era | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

A “Stalker” for Queen Victoria

Few outside of Victorian scholars know much of Queen Victoria’s “stalker.” Edward “the Boy” Jones was quite adept at sneaking into Victoria’s most private apartments. Born in 1824, Edward Jones became fascinated with Victoria when she was but a young … Continue reading

Posted in British history, Great Britain, real life tales, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments

Benjamin Bathurst: Missing Regency Era Diplomat

  Benjamin Bathurst (18 March 1784 – 1809?) was a British diplomatic envoy who disappeared in Germany during the Napoleonic Wars. He was the third son of Henry Bathurst, Bishop of Norwich. Bathurst disappeared on or about 25 November 1809, … Continue reading

Posted in British history, Great Britain, Living in the Regency, mystery, real life tales, Regency era | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

James Lind and the Prevention of Scurvy

James Lind was a Scottish doctor, who studied scurvy first hand. Born in Edinburgh in 1716, Lind became an apprentice at Edinburgh’s College of Surgeons at the age of 15. At 23, he accepted the post of surgeon’s mate and … Continue reading

Posted in British history, Georgian Era, Great Britain, medicine, real life tales | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

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

Last Tuesday, we had our first look at how Sir Walter Scott perfected the “formula” for historical romance while creating a national identity. [April 14 post – Part I]  Sir Walter Scott’s fiction quite often uses the plot devices of … Continue reading

Posted in British history, Great Britain, Jane Austen, real life tales, writing | Tagged , | Comments Off on Sir Walter Scott, the Historical Romance, and the Creation of a National Identity – Part II

Inspired by Jane Tea Collection

Recently, a fellow Charlottean (a person living in Charlotte, NC) approached me with a product she distributed. This woman, Sara Thomas, recognized my love of all things Jane Austen. Ms. Thomas offered me a free canister of one of her … Continue reading

Posted in Jane Austen, real life tales, tea | Tagged , , | 19 Comments

John Carteret, 2nd Earl Granville, 18th Century Diplomat

Tomorrow, we will have a look at a portion of North Carolina, which knew the hand of Great Britain in forming its boundaries. Today, we look at one of those who claimed part of the North Carolina as his own. … Continue reading

Posted in British history, real life tales | Tagged , | Comments Off on John Carteret, 2nd Earl Granville, 18th Century Diplomat

Have You Heard of the Oxford Electric Bell?

The Oxford Electric Bell or Clarendon Dry Pile is an experimental electric bell that was set up in 1840 and which has run almost continuously ever since, apart from occasional short interruptions caused by high humidity. It was “one of … Continue reading

Posted in architecture, Bells, British history, Great Britain, real life tales, Uncategorized, Victorian era | Tagged , , | 7 Comments