Category Archives: Scotland

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

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

The Beginning of the Turnpike Roads in Georgian England

 The roads leading into London were placed under the control of individual turnpike trusts during the first 30 years of the 1700s in England. My mid century, cross-routes were added to the list under turnpike trusts. The roads, especially those … Continue reading

Posted in British history, buildings and structures, commerce, Georgian England, Industrial Revolution, Living in the UK, Scotland, travel | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

“Deck the Hall” with Music and History

I recently attended the local Christmas Parade for our rural community. You can keep your Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, for there is nothing better than watching young children scrambling for candy thrown by the various floats. Young, shining face, full … Continue reading

Posted in British history, customs and tradiitons, history, medieval, music, Scotland, Wales | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Mystery and Suspense Month: Lady Chandler’s Sister: Book 3 of the Twins’ Trilogy on Sale Until November 5

ALL BOOKS FEATURED THIS MONTH ARE ON SALE IN eBOOK FORMAT FOR $1.39. GRAB THEM WHILE THE PRICE IS RIGHT. THE SALE ENDS ON 5 NOVEMBER 2023. Today, I bring you Lady Chandler’s Sister, the third book in the Twins’ … Continue reading

Posted in book excerpts, book release, British history, eBooks, excerpt, George IV, Georgian England, Georgian Era, giveaway, Great Britain, historical fiction, history, marriage, marriage licenses, political stance, publishing, Regency era, Regency romance, research, romance, Scotland, suspense, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Happy 11th Book Birthday to A Touch of Cashémere, Book 3 of the REALM Series!

Previously, I brought you book 2 of this fabulous series. [If you wish more information on all the books in the series, visit my website rjefferscom.wordpress.com to read excerpts.] You will notice I brought out books two and three of … Continue reading

Posted in book excerpts, books, buildings and structures, eBooks, historical fiction, Living in the Regency, Napoleonic Wars, Realm series, Regency era, Regency romance, Scotland | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Kilts and Tartans and the Wearing of the Plaid (as we say in the U.S.)

The idea of identification of one tartan to a clan is fairly recent in a historical perspective.  Those of us who write Regency era based stories have a more difficult time than others historical periods to discover an actual clan name and its supporting colors. Most of the tartans identified to a clan came about in Victorian times, so just had to be careful. They were created by tailors during that time period. Continue reading

Posted in Act of Parliament, British history, fashion, film, Georgian England, history, Living in the Regency, medieval, military, Regency era, research, Scotland | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Craigievar Castle, the Inspiration for Walt Disney’s Trademark Castle and a Ghostly Experience

  Are you still looking for the ghosts and goblins of Halloween? Permit me to introduce you to Craigievar Castle in Scotland, where you might hear ‘Red’ Sir John tell of ancient feuds between the clans and the murder of … Continue reading

Posted in architecture, British history, buildings and structures, history, legends, medieval, paranormal, real life tales, Scotland, spooky tales, suspense | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Promissory Estoppel as a Means to Marry in the Regency or Otherwise

Marriage by Estoppel One of the possibilities I explored in researching my book, MR. DARCY’S BRIDEs was marriage by estoppel as a plot point. According to Investopedia, “Promissory estoppel is a legal principle that a promise is enforceable by law, … Continue reading

Posted in American History, Austen Authors, British history, Church of England, eBooks, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, marriage, marriage licenses, Pride and Prejudice, Scotland, Vagary, writing | Tagged , , , , , | 16 Comments

Criminal Conversation in the Regency Era + Excerpt from MR. DARCY’S BRIDEs

Several years back, I did a series for my blog, Every Woman Dreams, entitled “Eccentrics of the Regency.” One of the pieces I wrote was on Edward Hughes Ball Hughes. In it, I wrote: “Hughes’ older sister Catherine Ball was … Continue reading

Posted in book release, British history, Church of England, giveaway, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, Pride and Prejudice, Regency romance, Scotland, Vagary, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

The Babington Plot to Kill Queen Elizabeth I

Anthony Babington, the third child and eldest son of Henry Babington, was born into a wealthy Catholic family in Dethick, Derbyshire, in October 1561. The bells of the church announced his birth to the world; yet, his plotting would destroy his family. … Continue reading

Posted in British history, Elizabeth I, England, history, kings and queens, real life tales, religion, research, Scotland | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on The Babington Plot to Kill Queen Elizabeth I