Category Archives: real life tales

British Thoroughbred Racing History

Posted on May 5, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

With the onset of the Triple Crown in America, I thought we might take a look at the British thoroughbred racing history. I have used “horses” and “racing” several times as part of story lines, most recently in the novellas … Continue reading →

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

Maria Kinnaird, Mid-Victorian Socialite and Hostess

Posted on May 2, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

Maria Kinnaird (1810–1891) was born on St. Vincent, but was orphaned by a volcanic eruption and she was adopted by the politician “Conversation Sharp.” (See my March 29 post on Sharp.) Sharp was once considered possibly to be the most … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, political stance, real life tales, Victorian era | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

King of Clubs, Whig Conversation Club of the Early Regency Period

Posted on April 30, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

The King of Clubs was a famous Whig conversation club, founded in 1798. In contrast to its mainly Tory forerunner The Club (established by Samuel Johnson, Edmund Burke and Sir Joshua Reynolds), it was a predominantly Whig fraternity of some … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, George IV, Great Britain, language choices, Living in the Regency, political stance, real life tales, Regency personalities, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

“Conversation” Sharp – Victorian, Richard Sharp, Doyen of the Conversationalists

Posted on April 29, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

Richard Sharp, FRS, FSA (1759 – 30 March 1835), also known as “Conversation” Sharp, was a hat-maker, banker, merchant, poet, critic, British politician, but above all – doyen of the conversationalists. Family Background Sharp was born in Newfoundland. His father, … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Great Britain, language choices, political stance, real life tales, Uncategorized, Victorian era | Tagged , | 4 Comments

The Princess Royal’s Not So Happy Life

Posted on April 23, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

The Princess Royal’s Not So Happy Life As we watched Kate Middleton marry into the Royal Family, people kept saying things that made the life of a princess seem “ideal,” but we who have studied the Regency Period can name … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, George IV, Georgian Era, Great Britain, Living in the Regency, political stance, real life tales, Regency era | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Victorian Astronomer, Francis Baily

Posted on April 22, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

Francis Baily (28 April 1774 – 30 August 1844) was an English astronomer, most famous for his observations of ‘Baily’s beads’ during an eclipse of the Sun. Life Baily was born at Newbury in Berkshire in 1774 to Richard Baily. … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Great Britain, Living in the UK, real life tales, science, Victorian era | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

During the Reign of George IV: The Catholic Relief Act of 1829

Posted on April 17, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

The Roman Catholic Relief Act 1829, passed by Parliament in 1829, was the culmination of the process of Catholic Emancipation throughout Britain. In Ireland it repealed the Test Act 1673 and the remaining Penal Laws, which had been in force … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, George IV, Great Britain, Living in the UK, political stance, real life tales | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Georgian Happenings: The Wapping Coal Riots of 1798

Posted on April 15, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

Wapping Coal Riots of 1798 By Regina Jeffers Coal was a major source of heat and an important commodity to London’s financial stability. As such, ships filled with coal called in at the various ports of London on the River … Continue reading →

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Do You Remember? Ingrid Bergman’s Fall from Movie Royalty

Posted on April 14, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

This is second installment of my new series: Do You Remember? Tell me, do you recall the extramarital affair with nearly destroyed Ingrid Bergman’s career? What do you think of how this affair shook out? Does it change how you … Continue reading →

Posted in acting, film, Pop Culture, real life tales | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Literary References in Jane Austen’s “Persuasion”

Posted on April 11, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

Literary References in Persuasion Henry Austen in “A Biographical Notice of the Author,” said of his sister, “Short and easy will be the task of the mere biographer. A life of usefulness, literature, and religion, was not by any means … Continue reading →

Posted in book excerpts, British history, George IV, Great Britain, Jane Austen, language choices, Living in the Regency, real life tales, Regency era, Regency personalities, word play, writing | Tagged , , | 8 Comments