Are You Ready for the Onslaught of Holiday Movies?

Posted on December 7, 2015 by Regina Jeffers

Since the onset of film, a little over a century prior, Christmas has been employed as plot device for some of our most endearing films, as well as those not so engaging. Today, we have channels, such as the Hallmark Channel, on television, which run countless made-for-TV films “celebrating” Christmas.

Ironically, none of the traditional Christmas classics tell the story of Jesus’s birth. Instead, they speak to the values taught by the Christian faith. As with the morality plays of the Medieval and early Tudor times, these “interludes” are a type of allegory in which the protagonist is met by personifications of various moral attributes, who try to prompt him to choose a Godly life (most noble of human qualities) over one of evil or of dispensation.

Christmas Interlude #5 – A Christmas Carol – Movie Posters and ... twentyfourframes. wordpress.com A Chrstimas Carol 1938

Christmas Interlude #5 – A Christmas Carol – Movie Posters and …
twentyfourframes.
wordpress.com
A Chrstimas Carol 1938

One of the most popular of holiday films are those based on Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol. There have been more than 20 film versions of the Victorian classic, and this does not take into consideration play productions, television, etc. Dickens’ story was first brought to film in 1938 with Reginald Owen playing Scrooge; however, most critics believe the 1957 version told a truer tale. Dickens’ tale has even seen the 1970 musical with Albert Finney and Kermit the Frog in The Muppet’s Christmas Carol. The value of family and of giving is the nucleus of most retellings. 

A Christmas Carol (1951) - IMDb www.imdb.com

A Christmas Carol (1951) – IMDb
http://www.imdb.com

 

 

 

 

Miracle on 34th Street - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia en.wikipedia.org

Miracle on 34th Street – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
en.wikipedia.org

Miracle on 34th Street remains one of my favorites. The 1947 version of the film starred Edmund Gwen, Maureen O’Hara, Natalie Wood, and Gene Lockhart. (Note! Lockhart was also notably in the 1938 version of A Christmas Carol.) The film’s story line teaches us there is no place for negativity in the midst of joy and “miracles.” Ironically, the movie was not released during the winter months, but rather during July. Six months later, crowds still filled theatres, and Hollywood had learned the lesson of “Christmas” as a money-making draw.

MV5BMjA0Mzg0OTU0OF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTYwNTM4MjY5._V1_SY317_CR5,0,214,317_AL_Another of my favorites is White Christmas. What can I say? I am a sucker for a movie musical. Needless to say, the film was designed to highlight Bing Crosby’s release of the Irving Berlin classic “White Christmas.” The song made its debut in the 1942 film Holiday Inn. White Christmas (1954) brought a group of WWII veterans together to honor the man had led them through the trials of battle and is a spectacular lesson on respect and responsibility. The only thing I “dislike” about the film is I spend the next month singing “Sisters.”  Just to mess with your mind, here are the lyrics so you might song along with me. 

Sisters, sisters
There were never such devoted sisters
Never had to have a chaperon, no sir
I’m here to keep my eye on her
Caring, sharing
Every little thing that we are wearing
When a certain gentleman arrives from Rome
She wore the dress and I stayed home
All kinds of weather
We stick together
The same in the rain or sun
Two different faces
But in tight places
We think and we act as one… uh-huh
Those who’ve seen us
Know that not a thing could come between us
Many men have tried to split us up but no one can
Lord help the mister
Who comes between me and my sister
And lord help the sister who comes between me and my man
Sister
Sister
Sister don’t come between me and my man (Lyrics)

Christmas in Connecticut - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia en.wikipedia.org

Christmas in Connecticut – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
en.wikipedia.org


An old Hollywood screwball comedy, Christmas in Connecticut, speaks to us of the ways to nourish love with honesty. The film starred Barbara Stanwyck and Dennis Morgan and displays the typical “Happily Ever After” so sought by those who love the romance genre.

Likely the most popular of the Christmas films is Donna Reed’s and Jimmy Stewart’s It’s a Wonderful Life (1946). In reality, the film was not received well by film critics, saying the film was “too perfect” – sugary sweet to the point of being “sickening.” However, the advent of television brought new life to the film. The lesson of how one life can have a domino effect on the rest of the world rang true for those children of the Cold War era. Flickfilospher offers this criticism of the film: “An ordinary man sees the life of adventure and travel he hoped for constantly thwarted but eventually learns to love the pleasant life he does have. Cherish what you have, is the movie’s message. Count your blessings. Who could argue with those aphorisms? And that, maybe, is my problem with It’s a Wonderful Life: it’s too easy. Its two main characters — George Bailey (James Stewart: The Greatest Show on Earth) and Mr. Potter (Lionel Barrymore: You Can’t Take It with You) — are stereotypes, respectively, of the poor, eternally put-upon ordinary guy and the mean-spirited, rich old bastard. The conflicts the film sets up couldn’t be more black-and-white — and I’m not talking about the film stock.”

This is a list from Wikipedia of Holdiay-based films. I do not totally agree with some of the choices, but here they are just the same…

Christmas Classics
These are Christmas films released in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s.

Babes in Toyland – 1961 – Disney adaptation of the Herbert operetta.
Beyond Tomorrow (Beyond Christmas) – 1940 -The first half of this fantasy film takes place on Christmas Eve as three old men befriend two strangers, a young man and woman, who return their wallets.
The Bishop’s Wife – 1947 – An angel helps a bishop rearrange his priorities during the Christmas season.
A Christmas Carol – 1938 – MGM’s adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic story.
A Christmas Carol – 1951 – American title of British film Scrooge (see below).
Christmas Holiday – 1944 -A stranded soldier listens as a cabaret singer recounts a doomed marriage to a killer.
Christmas in Connecticut – 1945 – A columnist must entertain her boss and a returning war hero for the holidays. Remade for television in 1992.
Holiday Affair – 1949 – Romance blooms between a young widow and a sales clerk at Christmastime.
Holiday Inn – 1942 – Musicians prepare for a white Christmas at a cozy lodge.
I’ll Be Seeing You – 1944 – A war veteran finds romance with furloughed prisoner during the holidays.
It’s a Wonderful Life – 1946 – After attempting to commit suicide on Christmas Eve, a man is rescued by a guardian angel and shown what his hometown would be like had he never lived.
Scrooge – 1935 – Early film adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol starring Sir Seymour Hicks.
Scrooge – 1951 – Dickens’ ghostly meditation on Christmas. This version of the story, with Alastair Sim as Ebenezer Scrooge, is universally regarded as the very best.
Miracle on 34th Street – 1947 – Macy’s Santa, with help from the U.S. Postal Service, restores a little girl’s faith. Remade for television in 1955, 1959, 1973.
The Shop Around the Corner – 1940 – Unbeknownst to each other, coworkers become romantic pen pals at Christmastime.
White Christmas – 1954 – As in Holiday Inn, musicians bring Irving Berlin’s lyrics to Vermont lodge. (The story is not a remake, however.)

Contemporary Christmas Classics
These are Christmas films released in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.

A Christmas Story – 1983 – All Ralphie wants for Christmas is a Red Ryder BB gun.
All I Want for Christmas – 1991 – Two kids plot to reunite their estranged parents at Christmas.
Home Alone – 1990 – Kevin McCallister, an eight-year-old boy, is mistakenly left behind when his family flies to Paris for their Christmas vacation.
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York – 1992 – Kevin McCallister, now ten-years-old, mistakenly travels to New York City without his family on Christmas.
Jingle All the Way – 1996 – A Dad competes with others to find sold out hot toy for his son.
Mickey’s Christmas Carol – 1983 – Disney’s animated adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic story.
Miracle on 34th Street – 1994 – Theatrical remake.
The Muppet Christmas Carol – 1992 – Jim Henson’s creations tackle Charles Dickens’ festive favorite.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation – 1989 – The Griswold family plans turn to disaster, this time at Christmas. Followed by a made-for-TV sequel.
One Magic Christmas – 1985 – At Christmas time an angel shows a young mother the true meaning of the holiday.
The Nightmare Before Christmas – 1993 – Jack, a Halloween skeleton, discovers Christmas and attempts to hijack it.
The Santa Clause – 1994 – An ordinary man who accidentally causes Santa Claus to fall to his death from his roof on Christmas Eve must replace the “Jolly Old Elf”
Scrooge – 1970 – A musical adaptation of Dickens’ tale, starring Albert Finney in the title role.
Scrooged – 1988 – Modern, dark-humored interpretation of Dickens’ story, with Christmas spirits visiting a cynical, selfish TV exec, played by Bill Murray.

Modern Christmas Classics
These are Christmas films released in the 2000s and 2010s.

Angels Sing – 2013 – A man who as a child loved Christmas, but after a tragic accident, his holiday spirit was crushed. He needs to find his holiday spirit again, and meets a man named Nick, who gives him a gift that helps him find the joy of Christmas again.
Arthur Christmas – 2011 – Santa’s youngest son must deliver a bicycle to an overlooked girl before Christmas morning dawns. 3-D/CGI animated film.
A Christmas Carol – 2009 – Walt Disney Pictures/ImageMovers Digital performance capture film starring Jim Carrey.
Christmas with the Kranks – 2004 – When a suburban couple decide to forgo Christmas festivities, preferring to take a cruise to the Caribbean instead, their neighbours refuse to allow such Scrooge-like behaviour.
Deck the Halls – 2006 – Rival neighbors duke it out when one of them decides to light his house up so it can be seen from outer space
Elf – 2003 – A human who thinks he is an elf searches for his family in New York.
The Polar Express – 2004 – A magical train takes a boy and other children up to the north pole to meet Santa Claus.
The Santa Clause 2: The Mrs Clause – 2002 -Sequel to The Santa Clause; Santa must find a Mrs. Claus.
The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause – 2006 -Santa battles Jack Frost to keep his title.
Unaccompanied Minors – 2006 – Bored kids make up their own holidays while stuck in an airport after Christmas.

So, what are some of your favorite holiday-based films? Comment below.

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John Gower, Medieval English Poet and Contemporary of William Langland and Geoffrey Chaucer

Posted on December 4, 2015 by Regina Jeffers

John Gower was a medieval English poet whose work spoke of moral allegory and courtly love. He was known to be a friend of Geoffrey Chaucer and their styles were compatible. Gower was said to influence many other poets of the time. His writings in French and Latin and English are voluminous. The Confession Amantis is, for example, a lengthy series of stories told in English verse. One of the most notable of these is the Tale of Florent. The verse form is octosyllabic (eight syllables) couplet. Interest in Gower’s work died out in the 16th Century, but the mid 20th Century saw a resurgence in him. My son attended Western Carolina University, and at WCU there is International John Gower Society, devoted to his works. 

It is assumed that Gower hailed from Yorkshire and his family was wealthy. His language is of Kentish origin, however. Assumptions are also made as to his life in London as many of Gower’s works hod allusion to London life and life at court. “At one point, he professed acquaintance with Richard II, and in 1399 he was granted two pipes (casks) of wine a year for life by Henry IV as a reward for complimentary references in one of his poems. In 1397, living as a layman in the priory of St. Mary Overie, Southwark, London, Gower married Agnes Groundolf, who survived him. In 1400 Gower described himself as “senex et cecus” (“old and blind”), and on Oct. 24, 1408, his will was proved; he left bequests to the Southwark priory, where he is buried.

“Gower’s three major works are in French, English, and Latin, and he also wrote a series of French balades intended for the English court. The Speculum meditantis, or Mirour de l’omme, in French, is composed of 12-line stanzas and opens impressively with a description of the devil’s marriage to the seven daughters of sin; continuing with the marriage of reason and the seven virtues, it ends with a searing examination of the sins of English society just before the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381: the denunciatory tone is relieved at the very end by a long hymn to the Virgin.

“Gower’s major Latin poem, the Vox clamantis, owes much to Ovid; it is essentially a homily, being in part a criticism of the three estates of society, in part a mirror for a prince, in elegiac form. The poet’s political doctrines are traditional, but he uses the Latin language with fluency and elegance.

Vol 1-Confessio“Gower’s English poems include In Praise of Peace, in which he pleads urgently with the king to avoid the horrors of war, but his greatest English work is the Confessio amantis, essentially a collection of exemplary tales of love, whereby Venus’ priest, Genius, instructs the poet, Amans, in the art of both courtly and Christian love. The stories are chiefly adapted from classical and medieval sources and are told with a tenderness and the restrained narrative art that constitute Gower’s main appeal today.” (Enclyclopedia Brittanica)

In The Tale of Florent, Florent is a young knight who kills Branchus in a fight. Branchus’ grandmother wants revenge. However, she offers Florent his life if he can find out what women most desire. Florent sets out to travel, in order to observe what women most wants. On his way, he meets an old hag. She offers to tell him the answer to the question if he will marry her. Florent offers her land or money, but she turns down these bargains. But Florent, being young and charming, is not anxious to die yet, so he promises to marry the hag. She then tells him that women want power over man’s love most of all. Florent returns to the court, gives this answer, and his life is spared. Then with some feelings of disgust he takes the old hag to his castle to fulfill his promise. When they are married and in bed, the story resolution is shown. The old hag turns into a most beautiful woman of eighteen. She is the daughter of the King of Sicily and had been transformed into a hag by her wicked step-mother. Florent broke the spell with his faithfulness. (History of English Literature: Part I – Early Saxon Through Milton, Hymarx Outline Series, Boston, Massachusetts)

In The Tale of Ceyx and Alceone, Ceyx, King of Trocinio, loved his wife Alceone and his brother Dedalion. Unfortunately, Dedalion was transformed into a goshawk. Ceyx resolves to go on a holy pilgrimage in the hope of curing his brother. He sails away and is heard of no more. The frantic Alceone begs Juno for aid. Juno hearkens and sends Iris to the dark realm of Sleep. Sleep sends out Morpheus to appear to Alceone in the likeness of her drowned husband. He appears to her at night. The next morning, she goes to the shore when she dreamt she saw his body, and there she finds her drowned husband. She leaps into the water after him, and they are both transformed into birds, called “halcyons,” after Alceone. (History of English Literature: Part I – Early Saxon Through Milton, Hymarx Outline Series, Boston, Massachusetts)

Critics of Gower say his language was simpler than most of the authors of his time, but they praise his narrative style and his innate ability to develop the exposition in exact proportions. Most say he lacks Chaucer’s sense of humor, dramatic power, and understanding of characterization. It is noted that Gower does not digress when telling his story: He is always on point. He does moralize often, but he is not “preachy” in his approach to the story. His stories move easily from plot point to plot point. Although Gower’s verse is regular and his meter smooth, his greatest fault is his simplicity sometimes led to prosaic and commonplace expression.

Wikipedia list these works for Gower: 
Mirour de l’Omme, or Speculum Hominis, or Speculum Meditantis (French, c.1376–1379)
Vox Clamantis (Latin, c.1377–1381)
Confessio Amantis (English, c.1386–1393)
Traité (French, 1397)
Cinkante Balades (French, 1399–1400)
Cronica Tripertita (Latin, c.1400)
In praise of peace (English, c.1400)
See also…
Pericles, Prince of Tyre, a play co-written by Shakespeare, based on Gower’s work and featuring Gower as the Chorus
Henry IV Part II includes Gower as a messenger
In Henry V, Gower is the ideal English soldier

Posted in Age of Chaucer, Anglo-Normans, British history, Great Britain, real life tales, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Georgian Architecture: Mincing Lane, The Commercial Salerooms, and The Corn Exchange

Posted on December 3, 2015 by Regina Jeffers
London Commercial Sales Rooms Prints, Posters & Framed Wall Art www.magnoliabox.com The London Commercial Sale Rooms and Mincing Lane, City of London

London Commercial Sales Rooms Prints, Posters & Framed Wall Art
http://www.magnoliabox.com
The London Commercial Sale Rooms and Mincing Lane, City of London

Mincing Lane is one of the smaller streets in the City of London. It links Fenchurch Street to Great Tower Street. For many years, Mincing Lane was “the world’s leading centre for tea and spice trading after the British East India Company successfully took over all trading ports from the Dutch East India Company in 1799. It was the centre of the British opium business (comprising 90% of all transactions), as well as other drugs in the 18th century. Businesses in the British slave trade…were also based in Mincing Lane. In 1834, when the East India Company ceased to be a commercial enterprise, and tea became a ‘free trade’ commodity, tea auctions were held in the London Commercial Salerooms on Mincing Lane. Teas merchants established offices in and around the street, earning it the name ‘Street of Tea.'” (Mincing Lane)

The Commercial Salerooms is on the east side of Mincing Lane. The Commercial Salerooms are two stories. The lower rise display six attached Ionic columns supporting a continued entablature. Between the columns are large square-headed windows, above which are relievo’s in pannels by James George Bubb. The centre sports Britannia. On either side are emblems representing colonial produce, commerce, navigation, and science. (Thomas Allen, The Histroy and Antiquities of London, Westminister, Southwark, and Parts Adjacent , Volume 3, page 749)

Garraway's Coffee House | London Details baldwinhamey.wordpress. com Plaque where Garraway's used to be. Source: Wikipedia

Garraway’s Coffee House | London Details
baldwinhamey.wordpress.
com
Plaque where Garraway’s used to be. Source: Wikipedia

The Great Fire of 1666 burnt down The Royal Exchange. Afterwards a myriad of coffee houses took over the area. For the following 100 years, time and neglect saw the demise of these establishments. Garroway’s, which was the last of these to fall. It succumbed in 1860. Auctions of many commodities occurred in the buildings until they were transferred to the London Commercial Salerooms, which opened in 1811. These were destroyed by the bombing in 1941. 

The London Commercial Salerooms were the model for traditional commodity trading. These establishments saw the progress that would change the world of commodity exchange: the development of steamships and railways; international postal services; the opening of the Suez Canal, and the invention of the telegraph. (Richard Duncan, Agricultural Futures and Options: A Guide to Using North American and European Markets, page 86 )

On Mark Lane the corn-factor sold the corn of the country farmer to the miller, the meal man, and to the corn-chandler of London. The Corn Exchange is located on the east side of Mark Lane. Originally, “the farmers of Kent and Essex used to send their grain up the river, and attend a sort of market at Bear Quay; but…when grain was cheap, the farmers often returned home without selling their grain. Those from Essex used the Bull inn, Whitechapel; and the landlord, who was of an enterprising spirit, proposed that the samples, with the prices, be left with him, in order that he might try to dispose of the grain in their absence. This man, whose name was Johnson, and who was originally the ‘boots’ of the inn, soon got so much business in this way, that he opened an office at Bear Quay as a corn factor, and amassed a fortune.” (The History and Antiquities of London, Westminister, Southwark, and Adjacent Parts)

The business get so quickly that the Corn Exchange was open on Mark-lane. The building is of the Doric order. There is a large, spacious room set aside for the display of grain samples. Across from this structure, one can find the smaller, The New Exchange for Corn and Seed. 

LONDON:New Corn Exchange,Mark Lane,antique print,1828: Amazon.co ... www.amazon.co.uk LONDON:New Corn Exchange,Mark Lane,antique print,1828

LONDON:New Corn Exchange,Mark Lane,antique print,1828: Amazon.co …
http://www.amazon.co.uk
LONDON:New Corn Exchange,Mark Lane,antique print,1828

“The principal facade ranges with the houses on the east side of Mark-lane; it is made into a centre between two wings. The former consists of a portico or corridor composed of six fluted Doric columns from Grecian examples, raised on a continued plinth, and sustaining an entablature. The plinth is broken with three flights of steps, and two low windows, entrances to the vaults beneath the floor; in the entablature the triglyphs are omitted, and their place supplied by chaplets of wheat-ears instead of myrtle…. The cornice is charged with lion’s heads at intervals, and the whole is surmounted by a blocking course; above the centre is a large pedestal crowned with a cornice, abode which are the royal arms in stone, accompanied by ploughs and agricultural emblems. On the dado is inscribed 

Corn Exchange. Erected 1828, Pursuant to Act of Parliament,

7th Geo. IV. Cap. 55.” 

(The History and Antiquities of London, Westminister, Southwark, and Adjacent Parts)

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‘Tis the Season…for romantic suspense! from Jacki Delecki + a 3-Book Giveaway

Posted on December 2, 2015 by Regina Jeffers

Tis the Season…for romantic suspense!

Picture 001The lovely Jacki Delecki is back with a look at writing romantic suspense, as well as a fabulous giveaway. 

As a romantic suspense author, I am always in search of new ideas and concepts that I can weave into my stories and plots. What might sound like homework to some is more like a challenging scavenger hunt to me. The idea is to collect a variety of random ideas and then figure out how to assemble them into a compelling tale of intrigue.

For A Christmas Code, Book 2 of the Regency romantic suspense series, the Code Breakers, I combined elements from the winter holiday season to craft a story that features an attempted poisoning set against the elegant backdrop of the Regency Ton. In this story, the hero Ash is poisoned by a dose of ground up holly berries meant for the Prince Regent.

A popular accent used in Christmas decorations, holly is an evergreen shrub that can grow to be a tree, and there are more than 400 different varieties of the plant. The fruit and leaves contain a mix of caffeine-like alkaloid theobromine, caffeine and glycosides (theobromine is also found in chocolate and cocoa).

People and pets avoid the prickly leaves, but children may be attracted to the bright red berries. As few as 20 can be lethal if consumed, and eating just three berries can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. More severe symptoms include drowsiness, slowed breathing and heart rate, coma, and death.

In the book, Ash catches a lucky break, because, while holly berries are toxic, people rarely die from ingesting this type of poison. Nowadays modern medicine can treat individuals who consume holly berries, but that wasn’t always the case.

I recently released the audiobook version of A Christmas Code, which is narrated by the talented Pearl Hewitt, who also narrated two other books in this series: A Code of Love and A Code of the Heart. You can listen to an audio sample HERE. 

THE CODE BREAKERS SERIES

Men and women from the class of privilege and rank risk their lives to defend England against the treacherous designs of Napoleon. They confront disaster, scandal, and passion as they pursue their code of honor and love.

51V4E45VDcL-1._SX331_BO1,204,203,200_Book One: A Code of Love 
Threatened by French spies, assassins, and calculating suitors, can Lady Henrietta Harcourt trust the infamous rake, Lord Cordelier Rathbourne, with her carefully guarded family secrets?
Cord’s passionate attraction for the indomitable Henrietta hasn’t diminished in his four years abroad, but neither has Henrietta’s memory of his libertine past.
As England’s new Director of Intelligence, Cord faces more peril protecting the Harcourt family of brilliant code breakers than he did as an undercover spy in Napoleonic France. Henrietta’s brother, on a clandestine assignment in Paris, has vanished.
In pursuit of the missing brother, Henrietta and Cord become entangled in a web of international intrigue, danger, and white hot passion.

51q8fCHcz0L._SX331_BO1,204,203,200_Book 2: A Christmas Code: Lady Gwyneth Beaumont has long awaited the opportunity to show Viscount James Ashworth that she is no longer the impetuous child who dogged his footsteps. Now a much sought-after debutante, she is determined to prove to the hard-headed rake that she is a grown woman and a worthy participant in both the spy game and the game of love.
Ash, recently returned from three years undercover in France in His Majesty’s service, wants nothing more than to complete his final mission and retire to his bucolic country estate. However, what seemed a simple assignment to protect the Prince Regent at a Christmas party turns into a maze of intrigue, desire, and treachery.
Adding to the perilous secret operation is one problem Ash never anticipated: The appearance of the reckless, enticing Gwyneth, who has blossomed into a gorgeous woman and self-appointed spy. When a snooping Gwyneth uncovers a shocking secret, she puts herself in mortal danger.
Can Ash protect Gwyneth and the Prince from French assailants and, at the same time, win the passionate lady’s heart?
Can Ash and Gwyneth both triumph as winners in the game of spies and love?

511WgiFm9tL._SX306_BO1,204,203,200_Book 3: Code of the Heart: Miss Amelia Bonnington has been in love with her childhood hero since she was eleven years old… or so she thought until a not-so proper impassioned and unyielding kiss from the not-so honorable and equally disreputable Lord Derrick Brinsley, gave her reason to question the feelings of the heart. Lord Brinsley, shunned from society for running off with his brother’s fiancée, hasn’t cared about or questioned his lack of acceptance until meeting the beguiling Amelia Bonnington. One passionate moment with the fiery Miss Bonnington has him more than willing to play by society’s rules to possess the breathtaking, red-haired woman. Amelia unwittingly becomes embroiled in espionage when she stumbles upon a smuggling ring in the modiste shop of her good friend. To prove her French friend’s innocence, she dangerously jumps into the fray, jeopardizing more than her life. On undercover assignment to prevent the French from stealing the Royal Navy’s deadly weapon, Derrick must fight to protect British secrets from falling into the hands of foreign agents, and the chance at love with the only woman capable of redeeming him.

Comment on this blog for a chance to win an audiobook set of A Code of Love, A Code of the Heart and A Christmas Code. The giveaway ends at midnight, Tuesday, November 8, 2015, EST. 

PicMonkey Collage
Fans of holiday romance are in for an added treat from Jacki Delecki. A holiday edition of Marriage Under Fire, Book 4 of the Grayce Walters contemporary romantic suspense, is available. This edition features more than 9,000 words of exclusive content, including Maddy and Hunter’s romantic Christmas wedding with Grayce, Davis, Hollie, James and the entire Grayce Walters crew. The holiday edition of Marriage Under Fire is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo and Google Play for a limited time. Readers who have already purchased the book can enjoy the new scenes for free by accessing the updated ebook.

Picture 001Jacki Delecki is a bestselling romantic suspense writer. Delecki’s Grayce Walters Series, which chronicles the adventures of a Seattle animal acupuncturist, was an editor’s selection by USA Today. Delecki’s Romantic Regency The Code Breaker Series hit number one on Amazon. Both acclaimed series are available for purchase at http://www.JackiDelecki.com. To learn more about Jacki and her books and to be the first to hear about giveaways join her newsletter found on her website. Follow her on Facebook Jacki Delecki or Twitter @jackidelecki.

Posted in British history, Great Britain, Living in the Regency, Regency era, romance, suspense, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 12 Comments

November 30 ~ St. Andrew’s Day

Posted on November 30, 2015 by Regina Jeffers
St Andrew's Day - Pre-Intermediate English Reading www.esolcourses.com

St Andrew’s Day – Pre-Intermediate English Reading
http://www.esolcourses.com

Who was Saint Andrew ? Despite what many may think, St. Andrew, who is the patron saint of Scotland, did not live and work in that country. In fact, his legendary connections to Scotland appeared centuries after his death.

Andrew, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus, was a fisherman by trade. After Jesus’s crucifixion, Andrew carried on Jesus’s work. He brought the gospel to parts of Asia Minor, specifically to Syria. Roman soldiers ended Andrew’s life. According to the traditions of the time, the soldiers crucified Andrew on a diagonal cross. Later, his “relics” were taken to Constantinople. Reportedly, those relics were moved to Italy in the later part of the fourth century. During that time, Saint Regulus managed to bring some of Saint Andrew’s bones to Fife, in Scotland. We are unsure of these facts because the bones no longer exist. They were reportedly lost during the Reformation, but a plaque in the ruins of St Andrews Cathedral marks where the bones once were kept. (Catholic Online)

Outside of Scotland, Saint Andrew’s Day is of little significance. However, it is a special day for Scots worldwide.

Why is Saint Andrew the patron saint of Scotland? In the ninth century AD, control of the area around Lothian led to a conflict between the Picts and the Scots and the Northumbrians. Near Athelstaneford in East Lothian, Angus McFergus, the leader of the Picts, had a dream in which St. Andrew promised him a victory. In the midst of the battle the following day, Angus supposedly saw an X-shaped cross in the sky above him. The sight gave the Picts the inspiration they needed to win the confrontation. The white cross against a blue background became part of the saltire, the Scottish national flag.

From The Official Gateway to Scotland, we learn: “Having Saint Andrew as Scotland’s Patron gave the country several advantages: because he was the brother of Saint Peter, founder of the Church, the Scots were able to appeal to the Pope in 1320 (The Declaration of Arbroath) for protection against the attempts of English kings to conquer the Scots. Traditionally, Scots also claimed that they were descended from the Scythians who lived on the shores of the Black Sea in what is now Romania and Bulgaria and were converted by Saint Andrew.

“In the fascinating legend of The Voyage of St Rule from Greece to Scotland we can see the complicated spread of devotion to Saint Andrew – from Constantinople in modern Turkey, to St Andrews in Fife. St Rule (Regulus in Latin) and the six nuns and monks who took the long sea-journey with him, stands for the missionaries and monasteries who worked long and hard to bring the Good News to Britain. They lived in communities organised by a monastic Rule – hence the name St Rule or Regulus.

“As Scotland slowly became a nation it needed a national symbol to rally round and motivate the country. Saint Andrew was an inspired choice and the early Picts and Scots modelled themselves on Saint Andrew and on one of his strong supporters, the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great, whose statue you can see today in York, where the he visited his father, a Roman General then trying to force the Picts to go back north.”

30th of November
St. Andrew’s Day is the feast day of Saint Andrew. It is celebrated on the 30th of November. Saint Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland, Greece, Romania, Russia, Poland, Ukraine, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and Saint Andrew, Barbados. (Wikipedia)

Posted in Act of Parliament, British history, Great Britain, real life tales, Scotland, St. Andrew | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

‘Tis the Season, Celebrating What is Known as “Christmastide”

Posted on November 27, 2015 by Regina Jeffers

ye-old-yule-logChristmastide (also Christmas or the Christmas season) is one of the seasons of the liturgical year of most Christian churches. It tends to be defined (with slight variations) as the period from Christmas Eve to the Epiphany. This period is also commonly known as the Twelve Days of Christmas, as referred to in the Christmas carol of the same name, or Yuletide, as in “Deck the Halls.” [Christmastide]

Many Protestant churches add an Epiphany season after the Christmas season, extending the celebration of Christmas for forty days until the feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple (Candlemas) on 2 February (or a nearby Sunday). In the Missal and Breviary of the Roman rite, since 1970, the Christmas season runs a shorter period, from Christmas Eve to the Baptism of the Lord, which depending on the place and the year can occur between 7 January and 13 January. In the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the season runs from Vespers on 24 December till Compline on 2 February.

scene-from-emmaDuring the season, various festivities are traditionally enjoyed and buildings decorated. In some countries the superstition has arisen that it is bad luck to leave the decorations up after Twelfth Night.

Advent, anglicized from the Latin word adventus meaning “coming”, is a season observed in many Western Christian churches, a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas. It is the beginning of the Western liturgical year and commences on Advent Sunday, called Levavi. The Eastern churches’ equivalent of Advent is called the Nativity Fast, but it differs both in length and observances and does not begin the church year, which starts instead on September 1.

The progression of the season may be marked with an Advent calendar, a practice introduced by German Lutherans. At least in the Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Moravian, Presbyterian, and Methodist calendars, Advent starts on the fourth Sunday before December 25, the Sunday from November 27 to December 3 inclusive.

Latin adventus is the translation of the Greek word parousia, commonly used in reference to the Second Coming of Christ. For Christians, the season of Advent anticipates the coming of Christ from two different perspectives. The season offers the opportunity to share in the ancient longing for the coming of the Messiah, and to be alert for his Second Coming.

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Did You Know These Facts Regarding Thanksgiving?

Posted on November 26, 2015 by Regina Jeffers

First, I wish all my lovely friends and family a most joyous Thanksgiving Day. Thank you for reading my blog. 

Elvis Deputy Sherriff of Shelby County | Linda Hood Sigmon Truth lindahoodsigmontruth.com


Elvis Deputy Sherriff of Shelby County | Linda Hood Sigmon Truth
lindahoodsigmontruth.com

From History.com, we learn the following facts regarding Thanksgiving Day: 

It took more than 200 years after the first Thanksgiving before it became an official holiday.

The first Thanksgiving was a three day feast, which included hunting, athletic games, and eating. The Pilgrims dined on venison, NOT turkey. There was also NO pumpkin pie or potatoes or cranberry sauce.

In 1789, George Washington announced the first NATIONAL Thanksgiving holiday, but Thanksgiving did not become an annual tradition until the 19th Century. The Americans celebrated on Thursday, November 26, 1789.

As the first Thanksgiving (1622) was to celebrate the Pilgrims’ first successful harvest, the celebration was not repeated.

American writer, Sarah Josepha Hale, was inspired by A Diary of Pilgrim Life. In 1827, Hale began a 30 year campaign to make to make Thanksgiving a national tradition. At her own expense, Hale published recipes for pumpkin pie, stuffing, turkey, etc. (By the way, Hale is the author of the nursery rhyme “Mary Had a Little Lamb.”)

In 1863, Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving will would be celebrated on the last Thursday of November.

thanksgiving-gallery.jpg www.kidzworld.com

thanksgiving-gallery.jpg
http://www.kidzworld.com

In 1939, FDR moved the holiday to the 3rd Thursday in November to give retailers an extra week to make money during the holiday buying season. It was the Depression, after all.

Ironically, in 1941, FDR signed a bill to keep Thanksgiving on the 4th Thursday of November.

In 1989, George H. W. Bush gave the first official turkey pardon.

 These facts and lots more about Thanksgiving can be found at History.com.

Posted in America, American History, Thanksgiving | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Did You Know These Facts Regarding Thanksgiving?

What Does It Mean to “Be Knighted”?

Posted on November 19, 2015 by Regina Jeffers

In Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Sir William Lucas has been knighted by the King for his service as to Meryton. But what exactly does it mean to be knighted?

David I of Scotland knighting a squire Unknown - http://manuscriptminiatures.com/3913/14012/ ~ Public Domain

David I of Scotland knighting a squire
Unknown – http://manuscriptminiatures.com/3913/14012/ ~ Public Domain

Knighthoods likely date back to ancient Rome. At that time there existed an order of mounted nobles referred to as Ordo Equestris. Knights became the standard of military excellence in European countries. Each “knight” practiced a strict military training from the time he was but a youth. He often learned his trade by serving as an “esquire” to a knight during war years. He would be expected to embrace the strictures of chivalry: generosity, bravery, self-denial, fighting skills, and faithfulness. He would also be expected to maintain the expenses of his trade: arms, armor, horses, assistants, etc., as well to provide followers who would also take arms in service to the King/Queen. Knights were not born; they had to receive their position at the disposal of their Sovereign.  Some of the kings of England were knighted after coming to the throne; they included: William I, Edward III, Henry VII, and Edward VI. (The Monarchy Today)

Strict religious rites were involved in the conferment of a knighthood. Those who received early knighthoods were expected to fast, to maintain a vigil, to bathe, to make a confession, and be granted absolution before the ceremony. Many received their knighthood as part of their military service. The person receiving the knighthood would kneel before the Royal commander of the army  and “dubbed” a knight by the touch of a sword upon the back and shoulders and the words “Advances Chevalier au nom de Dieu.” Starting with Henry VIII, the number of people who received knighthoods greatly diminished. “Eventually, it became the custom for monarchs to confer all knighthoods personally, unless this was quite impracticable. In a ceremony of knighting, the knight-elect kneels on a knighting-stool in front of The Queen, who then lays the sword blade on the knight’s right and then left shoulder. After he has been dubbed, the new knight stands up, and The Queen invests the knight with the insignia of the Order to which he has been appointed, or the Badge of a Knight Bachelor. Contrary to popular belief, the words ‘Arise, Sir…’ are not used. (The Monarchy Today) 

The Steps of Knighthood Picture #88009702 | Blingee.com blingee.com

The Steps of Knighthood Picture #88009702 | Blingee.com
blingee.com

“Since 1917, the British government has been awarding notable citizens with spots in the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. Although the Order was originally meant to honor top-notch civilian and military behavior during war, it quickly expanded to include peacetime achievements as well. The Order has five separate ranks: Knight Grand Cross (Dame Grand Cross for women), Knight Commander (Dame Commander), Commander, Officer, and Member. Achieving one of the first two ranks earns a person a slot in the knighthood, which means they can add ‘Sir’ or ‘Dame’ to their names. All members of the Order of the British Empire can add the initials of their rank to the end of their names, though, which is why you sometimes read about celebrities with ranks following their names, like ‘Roger Daltrey, CBE.’” (Mental Floss)

“What are the benefits of being a knight [in present time]? You don’t get to joust or wear armor, but you do pick up a few unusual garments. Knights and Dames Grand Cross get to wear special gear to formal events like coronations. This getup includes a pink-with-gray-edges satin mantle and a collar of six gold medallions. All members of the Order are allowed to wear the group’s badge. The badge is basically a cross hanging from a pink ribbon with gray edges, although various ranks wear their badges in unique ways. Members and Officers simply wear their badges like military medals pinned to their chests, while higher-ups wear theirs on sashes or around their necks. Other benefits include getting a spot in the British order of precedence, the arcane system that develops the hierarchy of ceremonial importance for things like state dinners. Furthermore, knights win their wives the right to be called ‘Lady,’ and Knights and Dames Grand Cross can modify their coats of arms to reflect the honor.” (Mental Floss)

“If we begin at the bottom rung of the ladder, the lowliest person of title amongst Jane Austen’s people, we must choose Sir William Lucas who had been knighted during his mayoralty, a practice which still obtains. The “Lord” mayor of London, for example, is always knighted. Knighthoods are bestowed for eminence or success in one’s field: Sir Yehudi Menuhin, Sir Winston Churchill, Sir Francis Austen.

“A knight is always addressed and referred to as Sir Firstname. Nothing more. This is not disrespect, but correct and proper usage. Sir Yehudi, Sir Winston, Sir Francis. Never, never, Sir Menuhin, Sir Churchill or Sir Austen. Wives of knights, on the other hand, are always addressed as Lady Husband’s Lastname: Lady Menuhin, Lady Churchill, Lady Austen. A knight’s title is not inherited. The young Lucas who would drink a bottle of wine a day if he were as rich as Mr. Darcy will never be Sir Firstname Lucas. If writing a letter to a knight and his first name is not known, the address is Sir – Lastname. Never, never Sir Lastname. These are things that used to be learned at one’s mother’s knee. All these forms of address apply equally to baronets, who are the next rung up the titled ladder.” (JASNA)

“Sir William Lucas had been formerly in trade in Meryton, where he had made a tolerable fortune, and risen to the honour of knighthood by an address to the king during his mayoralty. The distinction had perhaps been felt too strongly. It had given him a disgust to his business, and to his residence in a small market town; and, in quitting them both, he had removed with his family to a house about a mile from Meryton, denominated from that period Lucas Lodge, where he could think with pleasure of his own importance, and, unshackled by business, occupy himself solely in being civil to all the world. For, though elated by his rank, it did not render him supercilious; on the contrary, he was all attention to everybody. By nature inoffensive, friendly, and obliging, his presentation at St. James’s had made him courteous (19-20 beginning of ch. 5).

“Though Knights are very romantic and heroic characters throughout history, the Knighthood of Sir William Lucas works differently. Whereas Kinghts used to be born into nobility and trained to protect their feudal lords, in the 19th century, knighthoods were purchased as a symbol of status.

“In the case of Sir William, he spent all of his money on the title, then felt too good for his job in the city and moved into ‘Lucas Lodge.’ The irony in the purchase of his knighthood was that he spent all of his money on the title, and caused his family to be relatively poor because of it. Though he now has the symbol of status that Knighthood represents, he no longer has the wealth that is associated with this status. This was a selfish and vain decision by Sir William, because he sacrificed the comfort and security of his family as well as lowering the possibility of marrying off his daughters in order to boost his personal pride. (WHSHBLJaneAusten)

How did knighthoods work during the Regency Period? During the Regent’s years, Prince George’s powers to bestow titles were limited by Parliament. Such was one of the conditions of making naming him as Regent, so honors had to be approved by Parliament. It was assumed that Prince George would name a large number of Whig peers.

In reality, the Regent’s powers to grant peerages, as well as confer government offices and

The Age of Chivalry - CDA's World History Wiki cdaworldhistory.wikidot. com

The Age of Chivalry – CDA’s World History Wiki
cdaworldhistory.wikidot.
com

pensions, was only restricted for the first year of his Regency. After 6 February 1812, the first anniversary of Prince George becoming Regent, he gained full power to grant any honors he chose.

Prinny could award titles during the Regency, but as mentioned above he was expected to have Parliament’s okay  (as with the current monarch, who can only bestow titles with Parliament’s approval). In 1820, Prince George was not crowned until mid July. Therefore, no baronies were created in 1820. One may view a list of what was created during the Regency and from 1821 and on HERE .

For information on knights invested By George IV, try: The Knights of England: A Complete Record from the Earliest Time by William Arthur Shaw, with information on investures from that book is HERE.

There is not just one type of knight. More information is HERE.

Posted in Anglo-Normans, British history, Great Britain, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, real life tales, Regency era, Uncategorized | 9 Comments

Welcoming Author, Lindsay Downs + an Excerpt from “Married by Christmas: A Rogues and Rakehells Mystery”

Posted on November 18, 2015 by Regina Jeffers

61PaA+eUd5L._UX250_I would like to welcome author Lindsay Downs to the Every Woman Dreams Blog. Lindsay is the author of a variety of books, including: The Earl’s Spitfire; Highland Gold, The Guilty Countess, Operation: Love, Masked Lady and the Murder, Brotherly Love!, The Earl’s Queen, The Contessa and the Marquis, Spy Cathcher, and A Bluestocking’s Christmas, as well as several others. Today, we will learn something of a lovely holiday release, Married by Christmas, but first learn a bit more about Lindsay Downs. 

Author Bio:

I’ve been an avid readers ever since I was old enough to hold a red leather bound first edition copy of Sir Walter Scott’s The Lady of the Lake in my lap.

So, it only seemed natural at some point in my life I take up pen and paper to start writing. Over time my skills slightly improved which I attribute to my English teachers.

My breakthrough came about in the mid 1970’s when I read a historical romance written by Sergeanne Golon, Angelique. This French husband and wife team opened my eyes to the real world of fiction. Stories about romance, beautiful damsels, handsome heroes, and plots that kept me hooked. Of course, being a man, I had to keep my reading hidden from others as that wasn’t appropriate reading for men.

With this newfound appreciation of the written word, I took up other books and devoured them, as a starving person would a plate of food. I them attempted to write again. I still wasn’t satisfied, so I put my efforts aside for years, as other events entered my life.

Finally, in the early years of the new millennium I tried again to write and once again met with limited success. At least now I was able to get past the first page or two. Then, in 2006, a life changing event brought me back to my love: I took a job as a security officer. This allowed me plenty of time to read different genres.

My favourite was the Regency Era in England. As I poured through everyone I could get my hands on, I knew this could be something I wanted to attempt.

In 2012 when my debut Regency romantic suspense released, I was hooked and have, except for a few contemporaries, focused on this genre.

Since 2012, I’ve lived in central Texas. I’m also a member of Romance Writers of America and their local chapter.

Where you can find Lindsay Downs
Facebook
Facebook Pages
Twitter
LinkedIn
Goodreads
Lindsay Downs-Romance Author
Amazon

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

married by christmas medMarried by Christmas
When Nash, Marquis of Renfield, learns of a plot to make his love, Lady Amelia, marry someone else he marshals his friends, their wives, along with both sets of parents, to retreat to the Fenwick ducal estate.

Everyone starts planning for a Christmas Eve ball until things go awry, in the name Smedley, allegedly the only son of the Earl and Countess of Rosewood.

At first it was thought Rosewood, supposedly in the dun, was after Amelia’s dowry. It turned out the earl and countess were seeking more. Power. Great power which could bring England to its knees.

When Nash is kidnapped it falls on Amelia and their friends to rescue him. With the assistance of Justin, Nash’s groom, they devise a plan to save him from certain death.

Once back at the ducal palace Nash keeps his word to Amelia just as the ball starts.
The duke and duchess are also hiding a secret from everyone in regards to the Rosewood earldom.
Excerpt- Married by Christmas
Strolling up to his valet, Nash saw the man frowning which wasn’t a good sign.

“M’ lord, welcome. It seems the ride with the maids was interesting, to say the least, enlightening at most.”

“Let’s wait until we’re out of earshot then you can tell me,” Nash stated.

He accepted a nod from his valet, then followed Ryan into the tavern and up the stairs to the first floor, then down the opposite hall from the ladies. The fact they were a distance away made him happy.

Nash shrugged from his jacket, followed by his cravat and shirt. After he dropped them onto the bed, he took care of his needs. With his hands washed, he splashed water on his face then ran his wet fingers through his unfashionably long hair.

Dried off, he returned to where Ryan awaited.

Accepting a clean shirt, he fastened it then waited while a new cravat was tied. That done, he turned to his valet.

“All right what had you distraught earlier and still does.”

“What I’m going to tell you was told me in confidence, but with permission to inform you. It would seem the true reason for Lady Amelia to travel in your company wasn’t to see how you both dealt with it, but something more sinister. Her Grace didn’t collect Lady Amelia but the other way around.”

“I don’t understand, why did Her Grace say it differently?”

“The eldest son of an earl, close to being in the dun, is trying to marry her under his father’s direction. They are hoping the dowry will rescue them from debtor prison.”

“So, by sending Lady Amelia to London with me, her parents are hoping to throw the son off the scent?”

Then, he remembered the note from his father. Stepping over to his jacket, freshly brushed out, Nash retrieved it, broke the seal, and read.

Son,
I’m sure by now you are aware of why Lady Amelia is traveling to London with you and your mother. Both myself and The Duke of Appleton have complete faith in you protecting your future bride.
I’ve remained behind but will shortly be joining you all.
Finally, might I give you a piece of advice, which I pray you’ll heed?
We men, in general, tend to forget important days in the lives of our wife. On that, I would suggest you marry by Christmas, if not on that date. This way you’ll never have to worry about overlooking your anniversary.
Thomas

Now it all made sense. The strange worried look in her eyes two days ago. Not to mention what the ladies talked about when he’d returned to the sitting room before luncheon.

Nash marched over to the fireplace, took a lucifer stick, rubbed it against the stone mantle’s rough surface then touched the flame to the paper. He waited until the paper was almost engulfed, before throwing it in the hearth and watching the rest of it burn.

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Posted in British history, Living in the Regency, Regency era | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

London Architecture: The Burlington Arcade

Posted on November 17, 2015 by Regina Jeffers

This is my second piece on London Architectural excellence. See my previous piece on Woburn Walk HERE. Today we look at the Burlington Arcade. 

A new look for Burlington Arcade - Telegraph www.telegraph.co.uk Burlington Arcade's Beadles wear new Regency-inspired uniforms

A new look for Burlington Arcade – Telegraph
http://www.telegraph.co.uk
Burlington Arcade’s Beadles wear new Regency-inspired uniforms

Located in the heart of Mayfair, we find the Burlington Arcade, a Grade II shopping center dating from 1819. The arcade is the longest shopping street in Britain. It is considered an historic and architectural masterpiece. Favored by royalty and the elite of British Society, the arcade had its own rules of conduct, many of which are still upheld by the infamous Beadles, the smallest private police force in existence.

Lord George Cavendish lived in Burlington House (now the Royal Academy) while Ware worked on the arcade. The covered promenade held several purposes: offered employment to “industrious” females; provided gratification to the customers for the shops; and stopped ruffians from littering Cavendish’s property with raw garbage. The Burlington Arcade was a single straight top-lit walkway lined with 72 small two story shops.

Historically, the covered alley known as an “arcade” was an architectural wonder of the early Regency period, and the Burlington Arcade’s popularity has remained in tact. Lord George Cavendish remodeled Burlington House beginning in 1815 and continued until 1819. The Burlington Arcade, designed by Samuel Ware, was part of that remodeling. 

The appearance of shops changed dramatically over the years of commerce. Early on, the shops of London were nothing more than an open marketplace upon the streets. Food stalls offered everything for the taking. Think upon the spectacle: Butchers killed and gutted animals before the purchaser’s eyes, before dumping the entrails into the gutter. 

In early 18th Century Paris, the shops opened upon the street, which meant customers had the opportunity to view items before entering the shop, and the design of the three walled shop (open on the fourth wall) provided some protection from the elements. It also meant the shopkeeper had to remove all his merchandise from the open area EVERY day. 

England perfected this idea. The open front wall from the Parisian shops were closed up at night by two horizontal wooden shutters. The top shutter provided an awning during the day, while the bottom one was propped up on legs to create a table, upon which to display the shop’s merchandise. The shoppers on the street could view the wares easily. A narrow door off to the side was used by the shopkeeper and his family for entrance into the shop area and living quarters. Customers did not enter through this door. When the price of glass became more reasonable, shopkeepers replaced the shutters with a welcoming window display. Customers came inside to make their purchases. The use of glass fronted shops was a mark of the English shops long before glass was used upon the Continent.

The Burlington arcade as it appeared about 1827, Thomas Hosmer Shepherd http://www.ultimatehistoryproject.com/a-shopping-extravaganza.html

The Burlington arcade as it appeared about 1827, Thomas Hosmer Shepherd http://www.ultimatehistoryproject.com/a-shopping-extravaganza.html

In 17th Century England, enclosed shopping centers, known as “exchanges” came into being. These exchanges were covered arcades that catered to luxury goods. The New Exchange opened in 1667 (after the Great Fire of 1666. The Middle Exchange followed in 1672 and the Exeter Exchange in 1676. Buyers could make purchases in all types of weather, and sellers did not worry over damage to their wares. With the insertion of iron grilles at the ends of the passages, the shops were more secure. “Window shopping” became a pleasant activity. The Burlington Arcade is a single street covered by a peaked glass roof, which lights the whole arcade. 

Speirs + Major show London's Burlington Arcade in a new light ... www.urbanrealm.com

Speirs + Major show London’s Burlington Arcade in a new light …
http://www.urbanrealm.com

 

 

 

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