Tag Archives: England

UK “Real” Estate: Coggeshall Abbey in Essex

In 1140, Coggeshall Abbey was founded by King Stephen and his wife Matilda as a Sauvignac Abbey.. It was designed to house the monks of the Savigniac order. The earliest English use of bricks as building materials can be found … Continue reading

Posted in Age of Chaucer, Anglo-Normans, Anglo-Saxons, British history, buildings and structures, history | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Growth of Hampstead in 19th Century England

Hampstead is one of the villages that surrounded 19th Century London, but the village was founded long before that time. Founded during the Anglo-Saxon period, its name translates to “homestead.” Early records shows a grant by King Ethelred the Unready … Continue reading

Posted in Anglo-Saxons, British history, Great Britain, Living in the Regency, real life tales, Regency era | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Privileges of Peers + the Release of ‘The Earl Claims His Comfort’

Privileges of a Peer During the Regency In my latest Regency romantic suspense, The Earl Claims His Comfort, there are multiple questions regarding the peerage belonging to the book’s hero. For example, can a usurper force Levison Davids, 17th Earl … Continue reading

Posted in Act of Parliament, Black Opal Books, blog hop, book excerpts, book release, British history, Church of England, eBooks, excerpt, giveaway, Great Britain, historical fiction, Ireland, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, primogenture, publishing, Regency era, Regency romance, romance, Scotland, suspense, titles of aristocracy, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Privileges of Peers + the Release of ‘The Earl Claims His Comfort’

Life of the Gentry in the Regency Period

During the Regency Period, wealth and social class separated the English citizenry. Beginning with the Royals, citizens found their place based on birthright and wealth. The nobility stood above the gentry, who stood above the clergy, who stood above the … Continue reading

Posted in British history, Great Britain, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, real life tales, Regency era, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Life of the Gentry in the Regency Period

Anglo-Norman Literature: Part I ~ Introduction to Medieval Verse Romances

Early “romances” were stories written in verse in one of the Roman language. Essentially, a romance incorporated the elements of adventure, passion, the extraordinary, and an exaggeration of the virtues and vices of human nature. Originating from the French, the … Continue reading

Posted in Anglo-Normans, British history, Great Britain, real life tales | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Early Anglo-Norman Literature

Anglo-Norman literature was a verse literature in which we find a love for word play. The tone was lighter and the themes romantic. Even when the subject was an imaginary historical or religious figure, the overall effect remained romantic. Imagination … Continue reading

Posted in Anglo-Normans, British history, Great Britain, literature, real life tales | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Early Political History of England: The West Saxons

Under King Offa, the Mercians defeated the Northumbrians, but the Mercian rule lasted only as long Offa remained in control. The Mercians were replaced by a line of West Saxon kings, including Ine (688-725); Egbert (802 -839), and Alfred the Great … Continue reading

Posted in British history, Great Britain | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Early Political History of England: The West Saxons

England Thrives Under George III

England Changes Under George III’s Reign In 1762, the year George III and his wife Queen Charlotte gave the English people the first heir born to a ruling monarch since the “Old Pretender,” James II’s son (1688), Britain was on … Continue reading

Posted in British history, buildings and structures, George IV, Georgian Era, Great Britain, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, Napoleonic Wars, real life tales, War of 1812 | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Oh the Places You Will Go…The Places Prominent in Jane Austen’s Life

The grand country estates and locations used in the film adaptations of Jane Austen’s novels often lead her fans into believing that “our Jane” lived in some of Britain’s finest homes. But where, oh where, did Jane Austen call home? … Continue reading

Posted in buildings and structures, Great Britain, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, Pride and Prejudice, real life tales, Regency era, Regency personalities | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Oh the Places You Will Go…The Places Prominent in Jane Austen’s Life

The Border Wars Between England and Scotland

The political struggle that has dominated much of England/Scotland’s history was often a result of the border wars. In Elizabethan times the Anglo-Scottish border counties, especially Northumberland, were the home of lawless clans who spent their lives raiding and marauding. … Continue reading

Posted in British history, buildings and structures, castles, Great Britain, legends and myths, political stance, real life tales, religion, royalty, Scotland | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments