Category Archives: real life tales

“The London Monster” and Piquerism

Posted on August 14, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

The London Monster was the name given to an alleged attacker of women in London between 1788 and 1790. The attacker had a signature behavior of piquerism, the pricking or stabbing of victims with a knife, pin or needle. First … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Georgian Era, gothic and paranormal, Great Britain, legends and myths, Living in the UK, mystery, real life tales | Tagged , | 2 Comments

UK “Real” Estate: Tower Hill

Posted on August 1, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

The traditional East End of London plays a role in my latest Work in Progress, a cozy mystery with lots of twists and turns. Tower Hill is important to the story’s climax. Tower Hill is an elevated spot northwest of … Continue reading →

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Georgian Era Thief Taker General, Jonathan Wild

Posted on July 30, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

Between 1674 and 1829, a British citizen witnessing a crime was legally obliged to apprehend the perpetrator if possible. At a minimum, one was expected to report the crime to a magistrate or other law official. The witness was also … Continue reading →

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What is the Difference Between Heir Apparent and Heir Presumptive?

Posted on July 29, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

In my latest WIP (Work in Progress), one of the important characters is the “heir presumptive” to his brother. What does that mean, and how does it differ from “heir apparent”? In my story, Horace Lovelace is the third son … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, customs and tradiitons, Great Britain, Living in the UK, political stance, real life tales | Tagged , | 6 Comments

The Hammersmith Ghost: Legal Precedent in the UK Regarding Self-Defence

Posted on July 28, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

The Hammersmith Ghost murder case of 1804 set a legal precedent in the UK regarding self-defence: whether someone could be held liable for their actions even if they were the consequence of a mistaken belief. Near the end of 1803, … Continue reading →

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Ultimogeniture (or) Borough Inheritance ~ The Youngest “Keeps the Hearth”

Posted on July 25, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

Yesterday, we looked at Primogeniture, a procedure where the first born (usually the first born male) inherits everything, but what do you know of Ultimogeniture? Ultimogeniture, also known as postremogeniture or junior right, is the tradition of inheritance by the … Continue reading →

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UK Real Estate: Rotherhithe

Posted on July 23, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

In my current Work in Progress (WIP) Rotherhithe plays a prominent role in the story’s setting. Rotherhithe is a residential district in southeast London, England, and part of the London Borough of Southwark. It is located on a peninsula on … Continue reading →

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Queen Elizabeth I and the Sea Beggars, a Guest Post from Author Barbara Kyle

Posted on July 21, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

Today, it is with great pleasure that I welcome a colleague, who specializes in the time of Queen Elizabeth I. I know you will find Barbara Kyle’s story of deception and courage very interesting. The Elizabethan period is considered a … Continue reading →

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UK Real Estate: The Twin Villages of Kingsand and Cawsand, Cornwall

Posted on July 16, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

Kingsand and Cawsand play a major role in the plot of my Regency romance, The First Wives’ Club, book one of the First Wives’ Trilogy. Kingsand (Cornish: Porthruw) and Cawsand are twin villages in southeast Cornwall, United Kingdom. The villages … Continue reading →

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Georgian Era Mystery~The Cock Lane Ghost: A Format for Religious Fervor

Posted on July 14, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

The Cock Lane ghost was a purported haunting that attracted mass public attention in 1762. The location was an apartment in Cock Lane, a short road adjacent to London’s Smithfield market and a few minutes’ walk from St Paul’s Cathedral. … Continue reading →

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