Category Archives: world history

Cheddar Man and Mr. Targett: Stone Age Connections

Posted on July 14, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

Okay, today, I am not talking about cheese, though the “gentleman” in question is associated with Cheddar, England, which is famous for its cheese. Cheddar is also famous for Cheddar Gorge and a line of limestone caves found there. Rather, … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, England, exploration, family, Great Britain, history, real life tales, science, world history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Have You Ever Heard of a “Bachelor Tax”?

Posted on April 17, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

In the late 1600s (1695, to be more exact), the English parliament passed The Marriage Duty Act or Registration Tax, which imposed a tax on births, marriages, burials, childless widowers, and bachelors over the age of 25. The tax’s purpose was to rase revenue for the war with France. It was also to ensure proper records were kept by an Anglican church officials. The tax was found ineffective and abolished by 1706.  Continue reading →

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Using Cradles Through The Ages

Posted on January 13, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

We all likely know something of “Rock-a-bye Baby“ as a nursery rhyme and lullaby. The melody is a variant of the song comes from an English satirical ballad called ‘Lillibullero,‘ a march that became popular in England at the time of … Continue reading →

Posted in American History, British history, George IV, Georgian England, Georgian Era, history, real life tales, Regency era, word origins, world history | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

A Brief History of Ballooning

Posted on August 15, 2022 by Regina Jeffers

By the Regency, hydrogen balloons were more typically used than hot air. The problem with hot air balloons at that time was they did not have a good fuel source, as we do now. So they could stay up only … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Georgian England, Georgian Era, history, real life tales, research, travel, world history | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Battle of Waterloo: Did the Weather Change History?

Posted on June 13, 2022 by Regina Jeffers

                      The Battle of Waterloo: Did the Weather Change History?  Background: The Battle of Waterloo was fought thirteen kilometers south of Brussels between the French, under the command of Napoleon … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Georgian England, Georgian Era, history, Living in the Regency, military, Napoleonic Wars, real life tales, Regency era, world history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

The Salon: A Gathering of Elite Intellectuals, a Guest Post from Sharon Lathan

Posted on April 8, 2022 by Regina Jeffers

The word salon has been around since at least 1664, derived from the Italian salone or French sala, meaning “a reception room or great hall.” The indication was for a particular part of a house, a room or several rooms, where people gathered together. The English … Continue reading →

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A Suspicious Royal Birth, a Guest Post from Carole Penfield

Posted on February 16, 2022 by Regina Jeffers

On a frosty, winter night, there is nothing more comforting than climbing into a warm cosy bed heated by an electric blanket, or even a hot water bottle. These conveniences were not available in drafty 17th century palaces. Instead, the … Continue reading →

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The Provisions of Oxford

Posted on August 30, 2021 by Regina Jeffers

Most people know something of Oxford, England, through Oxford University, the home of England’s first university. However, Oxford is also known for the “Provisions of Oxford,” which in 1258 placed the king under a Council of Fifteen. All this began … Continue reading →

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The Mechanical Turk, or the Chess-Playing Machine that Beat Napoleon, a Guest Post from Eliza Shearer

Posted on June 4, 2021 by Regina Jeffers

It was the year 1809. The Napoleonic Wars were in full swing, but the French general had other interests besides fighting the British over Spain and Portugal.  Around the time Jane Austen and her mother and sister moved to Chawton … Continue reading →

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Thomas Tompion, “The Father of English Clockmaking”

Posted on March 26, 2021 by Regina Jeffers

I have a dear friend who is really into antiques, and I must tell you that she is a wealth of knowledge — a tap I often go to for just that special touch in a story, but I will … Continue reading →

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