Tag Archives: British history

Sir Walter Scott, the Historical Romance, and the Creation of a National Identity – Part I

Posted on June 8, 2017 by Regina Jeffers

  Walter Scott was the first great writer to recognize the potential of historical romance as a “dramatic narration of national history, a modern commercial equivalent of the old national epic. Scott’s Waverley novels started out as the romance of … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, historical fiction, Living in the Regency, publishing, real life tales, romantic verse, writing | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Princess Louise Marries a Commoner

Posted on June 5, 2017 by Regina Jeffers

 In March 1871, Princess Louise Carolina Alberta, fourth daughter and sixth child of Queen Victoria married John Douglas Sutherland Campbell, Marquis of Lorne and heir to the dukedom of Argyll , which created quite a stir. In 1870, Lorne was … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, family, marriage, Scotland, titles of aristocracy, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

A Gest of Robyn Hode, a Robin Hood Folk Ballad

Posted on June 2, 2017 by Regina Jeffers

In 1560, William Copeland printed the fragments of the various Robin Hood folk dramas. The “plays” were likely performed by mummers and strolling players for a century or more before Copeland printed them. A Gest of Robyn Hode A Gest … Continue reading →

Posted in ballads, British history, Canterbury tales, drama, literature, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Crafting a Thatched Roof

Posted on June 1, 2017 by Regina Jeffers

We all admire the idea of a cottage with a thatched roof, but what are the practicalities?  History: Thatching roofs can be traced to the Bronze Age. In Dorset, one can observe the remains of a round hut that displays … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, British history, buildings and structures, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Georgian Commerce: The London Docks, Part V

Posted on May 17, 2017 by Regina Jeffers

In Roman and medieval times, ships tended to dock at small quays in the present-day  city of London or Southwark an area known as the Pool of London. However, this gave no protection against the elements, was vulnerable to thieves and suffered from … Continue reading →

Posted in British currency, British history, buildings and structures, business, commerce, Georgian England | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

The Ceremony of Quit Rents

Posted on May 11, 2017 by Regina Jeffers

Have you ever heard of this tradition? The Ceremony of Quit Rents is the oldest legal ceremony in England (other than the coronation). It occurs between St Michael’s Day (October 11) and St Martin’s Day (November 11). On October 17, … Continue reading →

Posted in Age of Chaucer, British history, buildings and structures, customs and tradiitons, kings and queens, Living in the UK | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on The Ceremony of Quit Rents

The Children of the Empire Series Continues, Guest Post from Caroline Warfield + a Giveaway

Posted on April 27, 2017 by Regina Jeffers

Yesterday, Caroline Warfield released her latest book, The Reluctant Wife, book 2 in her Children of the Empire series. Today we are part of the Launch! Please welcome my friend, Caroline Warfield.  First, I must say, that I am over the … Continue reading →

Posted in book excerpts, book release, books, British history, editing, excerpt, giveaway, historical fiction, history | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Frigates, Treasure, Snobbery, and Jane Austen, Guest Post by Antoine Vanner

Posted on April 21, 2017 by Regina Jeffers

In October 2016 when Antoine Vanner posted this piece on his Dawlish Chronicles blog, I asked his permission to repost it here. At the time, he asked me to wait for a bit. Well, as they say, one thing led … Continue reading →

Posted in British currency, British history, British Navy, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

Princess Helena’s Marriage Splits Queen Victoria’s Family

Posted on April 11, 2017 by Regina Jeffers

Princess Helena chose to marry Prince Christian, one of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburgs. On the maternal side, Prince Christian held ties to a Danish noble family, as well as to the British royal family. His grandmother was the granddaughter of Frederick, King George II’s … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, family, history, kings and queens, marriage, political stance, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Princess Helena’s Marriage Splits Queen Victoria’s Family

Why Do We Call a Toilet a “John”?

Posted on March 31, 2017 by Regina Jeffers

 Sir John Harington was a courtier, translator, a not so successful poet of the Elizabethan era. Harington’s father married an illegitimate daughter of Henry VIII. His second wife was attendant to Princess Elizabeth, and Queen Elizabeth I stood as godmother … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Elizabethan drama, poetry, real life tales, Tudors | Tagged , , , , , , , | 10 Comments