Tag Archives: buildings and structures

Very “Real” Estate: Vicars’ Close, Wells, Somerset, England

Posted on November 13, 2020 by reginajeffers

The oldest purely residential street in England is known as Vicars’ Close, which is located in Wells, Somerset, England, and dates from the mid 14th Century.  Planned by Bishop Ralph of Shrewsbury, at one time it was 42 separate houses, … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, British history, buildings and structures, customs and tradiitons, England, Great Britain, history, medieval, research | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Very “Real” Estate: Vicars’ Close, Wells, Somerset, England

Windows in Jane Austen’s Stories, a Guest Post from Eliza Shearer

Posted on October 23, 2020 by reginajeffers

We, Janeites, know that windows are a thing in Jane Austen’s novels. One of Mr Collins’ most memorable scenes in Pride and Prejudice takes place when he and his wife are on the way to visit the formidable Lady Catherine de Bourgh alongside their visitor, Miss Elizabeth … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, Austen Authors, British history, buildings and structures, Emma, Georgian Era, Guest Post, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, Mansfield Park, Northanger Abbey, Pride and Prejudice, reading habits, Regency era | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Windows in Jane Austen’s Stories, a Guest Post from Eliza Shearer

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

Posted on November 1, 2019 by reginajeffers

  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

What Do We Know of London and the Surrounding Areas in the Regency?

Posted on July 5, 2019 by reginajeffers

Some people who read Regency-based novels do not realize London itself was not all the areas we writers mention in our novels. Many areas, such as Hampstead Heath (famous for its duels), Kew Gardens (founded in 1840 from the exotic … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, buildings and structures, business, commerce, England, estates, Georgian England, Georgian Era, history, Living in the Regency | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on What Do We Know of London and the Surrounding Areas in the Regency?

Capability Brown, England’s Greatest Landscape Artist: “This site has great capabilities.”

Posted on June 10, 2019 by reginajeffers

Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown changed the face of eighteenth century England, designing country estates and mansions, moving hills and making flowing lakes and serpentine rivers, a magical world of green. (About Capability Brown) The fifth child of William Brown, the land … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, business, estates, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, real life tales, research | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Jonathan Martin, Arsonist ~ Full of Fury and Fire

Posted on June 3, 2019 by reginajeffers

Many of my Regency stories is set in Yorkshire, one of my favorite places in the UK. Today, I bring you a tale that occurred on 1 February 1829, in the town of York and, specifically, involved the Cathedral and … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, buildings and structures, Church of England, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, history, real life tales, religion, research | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Jonathan Martin, Arsonist ~ Full of Fury and Fire

James Lackington: The Man Who Revolutionized Book Stores

Posted on November 12, 2018 by reginajeffers

In a time when we bemoan the loss of Borders, Waldenbooks, and fear the demise of Barnes & Noble and Books-a-Million, it is hard for us to imagine what it must have been like for those who entered “The Dome … Continue reading →

Posted in books, British history, buildings and structures, business, England, Georgian England, history, publishing, reading, reading habits, real life tales | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on James Lackington: The Man Who Revolutionized Book Stores

The Rise of the Paston Family from Yeomanry to the Ranks of the Greatest Landowners in England and The Paston Letters

Posted on November 5, 2018 by reginajeffers

Although they are not held as a single collection, the Paston Letters provide insight into 15th Century life, which no other set of documents can. They are a record of a family’s correspondence, from different members of the Paston family, … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, buildings and structures, history, medieval, military, political stance, real life tales, research | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on The Rise of the Paston Family from Yeomanry to the Ranks of the Greatest Landowners in England and The Paston Letters

That’s Right, It’s a Post about Privies, a Guest Post from Sophia Turner

Posted on September 24, 2018 by reginajeffers

This post originally appeared on Austen Authors on 6 July 2018. It’s much more fun to view the Regency era through rose-colored historical glasses, focusing on the flattering empire-waisted dresses, pretty bonnets, beautiful countryside, well-stocked elegant country house libraries, and … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, British history, buildings and structures, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Guest Post, inventions, real life tales, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Milton Abbas, the First Planned Village in England

Posted on June 25, 2018 by reginajeffers

Dating back to 1773, Milton Abbas is a village in Dorset, eight miles south of Blandford and eleven miles northeast of Dorchester. Under the instructions of Lord Milton, the town of Middleton was, literally, moved elsewhere.  Middleton was originally within … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, buildings and structures, Georgian England, Georgian Era, research, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Milton Abbas, the First Planned Village in England