Category Archives: real life tales

James Figg, Father of Modern Day Boxing

Posted on January 9, 2015 by Regina Jeffers

Born into a poor farming family, James Figg is considered the father of Modern Day Boxing. The youngest of seven children, Figg grew up in Thames Village, Oxfordshire. He had achieved renown as a master of the short sword and … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Georgian Era, Great Britain, legends and myths, Living in the UK, real life tales | Tagged , | 7 Comments

Jack Sheppard, Extraordinary Escape Artist, but Mediocre Thief

Posted on January 6, 2015 by Regina Jeffers

Jack Sheppard, Extraordinary Thief A favorite figure in verse, plays, and burlesque, John Sheppard was an 18th Century English thief. Born in Stepney on 4 March 1702, Sheppard spent several years (from the age of six) in the workhouse in … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Georgian Era, Great Britain, legends and myths, Living in the UK, real life tales | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Eccentrics of the Georgian Era: Richard Barry, 7th Earl of Barrymore

Posted on January 2, 2015 by Regina Jeffers

Eccentrics of the Georgian Period: Richard Barry, 7th Earl of Barrymore For today, we’ll take an look at another of the Prince Regent’s inner circle, a man known by one and all as “Hellgate,” Richard Barry, 7th Earl of Barrymore. Fast … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Georgian Era, Great Britain, real life tales | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

UK “Real” Estate: The Isle of Portland and Nanny Diamond Fairies

Posted on December 23, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

The Isle of Portland and Nanny Diamond Fairies The Isle of Portland is a limestone tied island, 6 kilometres (4 mi) long by 2.4 kilometres (1.5 mi) wide, in the English Channel. Portland is 8 kilometres (5 mi) south of … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, customs and tradiitons, Dorset, Living in the Regency, real life tales, spooky tales | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

A Jane Austen Time Line

Posted on December 16, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

A Jane Austen Time Line 239 years ago today, Jane Austen was born. I thought we might take a quick survey of her life. 1764-The Reverend George Austen marries Cassandra Leigh. They take up residence at Deane Parsonage in Hampshire. … Continue reading →

Posted in Great Britain, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, real life tales, Regency era | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Henry VII, the First of the Tudors

Posted on December 5, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

Henry VII, the First of the Tudors Henry VII came to the throne of England after defeating Richard III at Bosworth in 1485. With his accedence, England came into a long period of “National Pride.” The War of the Roses … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Great Britain, real life tales | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Ed Gein: The Real-Life Norman Bates

Posted on December 4, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

Ed Gein: The Real-Life Norman Bates Of late, I’ve spent a lot of research hours on grave robbing and serial killers, especially as mayhem was practiced during the early 1800s. The need for medical schools to rob graves of “fresh” corpses … Continue reading →

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Being Punk’d Regency Style

Posted on November 28, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

Being Punk’d Regency Style This is a repeat post, back by popular demand. I was asked by several to add it again because their friends did not believe them. Theodore Hook In mid August I shared this information on my … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, buildings and structures, Great Britain, Living in the Regency, real life tales, Regency era, Regency personalities | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Being Punk’d Regency Style

John Ketch, Infamous Executioner

Posted on November 25, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

An infamous English executioner employed by King Charles II, John Ketch was an Irish immigrant who became famous through the way he performed his duties during the tumultuous 1680s. He was mentioned in the broadsheets of the time. Appointed in … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Great Britain, history, legends and myths, Living in the UK, political stance, real life tales | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on John Ketch, Infamous Executioner

George William Finch-Hatton, 10th Earl of Winchilsea, Advocate for Protestant Principles

Posted on November 11, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

George William Finch-Hatton, 10th Earl of Winchilsea, 5th Earl of Nottingham (1791–1858) was an English politician known for duelling with Prime Minister Wellington. Hatton, born at Kirby Hall, Northamptonshire, on 19 May 1791, was grandson of Edward Finch-Hatton, and son … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, customs and tradiitons, dueling, George IV, Great Britain, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, military, real life tales, religion | Tagged , , | 4 Comments