Category Archives: real life tales

Life Below Stairs ~ Part One ~ Compensation and Obligations

Posted on January 1, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

With the popularity of Upstairs, Downstairs and Downtown Abbey, the populace has become more aware of the British servant class. So what do we know of those who lived “below stairs”? First, rank and precedence ruled those of the servant class as much … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Great Britain, real life tales | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Regency Happenings: The Year Without Summer ~ 1816

Posted on December 31, 2013 by Regina Jeffers

The Year Without a Summer (also known as the Poverty Year, Year There Was No Summer, and Eighteen Hundred and Froze to Death) was 1816, in which severe summer climate abnormalities resulted in major food shortages. Much of the cause of this anomaly is blamed on the … Continue reading →

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

The Border Wars Between England and Scotland

Posted on December 30, 2013 by Regina Jeffers

The political struggle that has dominated much of England/Scotland’s history was often a result of the border wars. In Elizabethan times the Anglo-Scottish border counties, especially Northumberland, were the home of lawless clans who spent their lives raiding and marauding. … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, buildings and structures, castles, Great Britain, legends and myths, political stance, real life tales, religion, royalty, Scotland | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

“Here We Come A-Wassailing” ~ Plus the Release of Susana Ellis’s A Twelfth Night Tale + Giveaway + Excerpt

Posted on December 13, 2013 by Regina Jeffers

Today, I am so pleased to have Susana Ellis join me on my blog to speak of one of a Christmastide’s long-lasting traditions. To celebrate her appearance, Ms. Ellis has generously offered a special giveaway to accompany her post. Enjoy … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, food and drink, Great Britain, holidays, real life tales, Regency era, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 35 Comments

Victorian England ~ The Penny Black: First Adhesive Postage Stamp

Posted on December 10, 2013 by Regina Jeffers

The Penny Black was the world’s first adhesive postage stamp used in a public postal system. It was issued in Britain on 1 May 1840. Unfortunately, not all post offices in the UK received official issues of the new stamps. … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Great Britain, real life tales, Victorian era | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Victorian England: Sir Rowland Hill, Reformer of the Postal System

Posted on December 9, 2013 by Regina Jeffers

Sir Rowland Hill KCB, FRS (3 December 1795 – 27 August 1879) was an English teacher, inventor and social reformer. He campaigned for a comprehensive reform of the postal system, based on the concept of Uniform Penny Post and his … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Great Britain, real life tales, Victorian era | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Victorian Celebrities: Thomas Henderson, First Person to Measure the Distance to Alpha Centauri

Posted on December 4, 2013 by Regina Jeffers

A Scottish astronomer and mathematician, Thomas James Alan Henderson (28 December 1798 – 23 November 1844) was the first person to measure the distance to Alpha Centauri, the major component of the nearest stellar system to Earth, and for being … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Great Britain, real life tales, Scotland, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Regency Celebrity: Mary Ann Duff, Anglo-American Tragedienne, One of the Greatest on the American Stage

Posted on November 26, 2013 by Regina Jeffers

Mary Ann Duff, born Mary Ann Dyke (1794- September 5, 1857), was an Anglo-American tragedienne, in her time regarded as the greatest upon the American stage. She was born in London, England, and died in New York City, USA. Biography … Continue reading →

Posted in acting, British history, Great Britain, Living in the Regency, real life tales, Regency era, Regency personalities | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Regency Celebrity: Mary Ann Duff, Anglo-American Tragedienne, One of the Greatest on the American Stage

Regency Celebrity: Maria Theresa Kemble, Actress and Playwright

Posted on November 22, 2013 by Regina Jeffers

Maria Theresa Kemble (1774–1838), née Marie Thérèse Du Camp, was an actress on the English stage and wife of Charles Kemble. She wrote a number of comedies. Early Life The daughter of George De Camp, real name possibly De Fleury, … Continue reading →

Posted in acting, British history, Great Britain, Living in the Regency, real life tales, Regency era, Regency personalities | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Regency Celebrity: James Harvey D’Egville, English Dancer and Choreorgrapher

Posted on November 21, 2013 by Regina Jeffers

James Harvey D’Egville (ca. 1770 – ca. 1836) was an English dancer and choreographer. James’ father Pierre D’Egville was ballet master at Drury Lane and Sadler’s Wells Theatres. His other son George D’Egville was also a dancer. James D’Egville performed … Continue reading →

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