Category Archives: research

London Run Riot: The Overt Politics of Austen’s Gothic Romp, a Guest Post from Collins Hemingway

Posted on February 13, 2019 by

(This post originally appeared on the Austen Authors’ blog on November 1, 2018. Enjoy!)  During Jane Austen’s life and beyond, England was beset with constant internal strife—labor protests, political riots, and military mutinies. These came as the result of falling … Continue reading →

Posted in Austen Authors, British history, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Guest Post, history, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, Northanger Abbey, real life tales, Regency era, research, world history, writing | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

St. Agnes Eve, a Plot Point in “A Dance with Mr. Darcy” + Excerpt

Posted on January 21, 2019 by

A major turning point in my latest Austen-inspired vagary, A Dance with Mr. Darcy, comes when Lydia convinces Elizabeth to join in the St  Agnes Eve festivities.  But who was St Agnes? And why would we still celebrate her? Meredith Ringel … Continue reading →

Posted in book excerpts, book release, books, customs and tradiitons, eBooks, historical fiction, history, Jane Austen, legends, legends and myths, medieval, Pride and Prejudice, publishing, research, Scotland, Vagary | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 37 Comments

“First Footing” It Into the New Year

Posted on December 31, 2018 by

I come very proud Scots, and, in my family, New Year’s (or Hogmanay as it was once called) played a popular part of my childhood. Although I admit to overspending at Christmas, something psychological as being raised poor, I am … Continue reading →

Posted in Anglo-Saxons, British history, Christmas, Church of England, Great Britain, history, Living in the UK, medieval, real life tales, religion, research, Scotland, tradtions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Yorkshire Christmas Traditions Playing Out in “Letters from Home” and “Lady Joy and the Earl” + a Giveaway

Posted on December 19, 2018 by

Christmas traditions in Yorkshire date back to the time of the Roman invasion. For example, documentation shows that a celebration dedicated to Saturn, the god of harvest and agriculture, took place somewhere between December 17 and December 25 in York … Continue reading →

Posted in book release, books, British history, customs and tradiitons, eBooks, Georgian England, Georgian Era, historical fiction, history, holidays, legends and myths, Living in the Regency, publishing, reading habits, Regency era, Regency romance, research, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Roderick Maclean’s Attempt to Kill Queen Victoria

Posted on December 7, 2018 by

The last of the attempts on Queen Victoria’s life came on March 2, 1882. Unlike the previous attempts, this one was dangerous because by that date, weapons were well beyond the single shot volley stage. Roderick Maclean’s gun held six … Continue reading →

Posted in Act of Parliament, British history, England, history, kings and queens, research, royalty, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , , ,

Albert Young’s Threat Toward and Arthur O’Connor’s Attempt to Kill Queen Victoria

Posted on November 30, 2018 by

It was twenty-two years after Robert Pate’s ill-fated attempt to kill Queen Victoria before another attempt was made against her. According to Raymond Lamont-Brown in How Fat Was Henry VIII (The History Press, 2009, page 149) Albert Young’s threat against … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, England, Great Britain, history, real life tales, research, royalty, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Robert Pate Strikes Queen Victoria with His Cane, but Does Not Kill Her

Posted on November 23, 2018 by

A little over two years passed after William Hamilton’s attempt to assassinate Queen Victoria on 19 June 1849, before Robert Pate made his attempt on 27 June 1850. Born in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, on Christmas Day 1819, Pate came from a … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, real life tales, research, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , , ,