Tag Archives: law

Competency Hearings During the Regency

Posted on April 30, 2025 by Regina Jeffers

I had a reader send me a question about a particular book, which I will not name nor provide the author’s name, for I do not call out others on a public forum, unless it is in a positive manner. … Continue reading →

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Proving Oneself the New Peer

Posted on April 14, 2025 by Regina Jeffers

I had a recent question from a reader/writer about how after the death of the current peer was one made the new peer. Was it immediate? Is there a process or some sort of hearing. What must he prove to … Continue reading →

Posted in Act of Parliament, book excerpts, British history, eBooks, excerpt, Great Britain, history, laws of the land, Living in the Regency, peerage, real life tales, Regency era, Regency romance, research, romance, titles of aristocracy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Proving Oneself the New Peer

What the Heck Is “Abeyance” When Speaking of the English Aristocracy?

Posted on April 9, 2025 by Regina Jeffers

I am back again to ramble on about another issue of inheritance, this one has to do with “abeyance.” Abeyance (from the Old French abeance meaning “gaping”) is a state of expectancy in respect of property, titles or office, when the right to them is … Continue reading →

Posted in Act of Parliament, aristocracy, British history, customs and tradiitons, England, Georgian England, Georgian Era, history, Inheritance, laws of the land, Regency era | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Amending a Will During the Regency Era + the Release of “Leave Her Wild” + a Giveaway

Posted on February 3, 2025 by Regina Jeffers

Recently, I had a reader write to me to ask about whether a man could amend a will during the Regency period, and, if so, what all was involved. The implication was the will was amended to subvert another from … Continue reading →

Posted in Act of Parliament, British history, Church of England, England, estates, Georgian England, Georgian Era, history, Inheritance, real life tales, Regency era, research | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

THE HUSBAND’S LEGAL RIGHTS DURING THE GEORGIAN ERA: Is His Wife Property or Merely His Responsibility?

Posted on December 9, 2024 by Regina Jeffers

First, permit me to introduce you to Sir William Blackstone (1723-1780), who shaped much of what we know of law in the Georgian Era. Sir William Blackstone was an English jurist, justice and Tory politician most noted for his Commentaries … Continue reading →

Posted in Act of Parliament, British history, Georgian England, Georgian Era, laws of the land, Living in the Regency, real life tales, Regency era, research | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Proxy Marriages: Valid or Invalid?

Posted on July 10, 2024 by Regina Jeffers

Upon occasion I have come across a plot line in a Regency historical novel where the couple is married by proxy. Unfortunately, such a marriage was not valid. Today’s interpretation of a marriage by proxy tells us that it is … Continue reading →

Posted in American History, British history, Church of England, Georgian England, Georgian Era, history, Living in the UK, marriage, marriage customs | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Proxy Marriages: Valid or Invalid?

Eloping During the Regency and What the Code Napoleon Said About It

Posted on July 8, 2024 by Regina Jeffers

Almost every Regency era romance writer has written at least one scene where the hero and heroine elope, racing to Scotland and a place such as Gretna Green. Yet, when one sets the elopement could change the pair’s destination. What … Continue reading →

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June ~ the Month of Love and Marriage: Marriage by Proxy, Possible or Myth?

Posted on June 17, 2024 by Regina Jeffers

When the Hardwick Act for the Prevention of Clandestine Marriages went into effect in March of 1754, the rules for marrying in England changed dramatically. Prior to that time, all the couple had to do was to pronounce their vows before a clergyman of the Church of England. Heck, it did not even have to be one’s local clergyman or even one’s local church. In fact, the Fleet Street prison saw quite a few marriages in those days Continue reading →

Posted in Act of Parliament, book excerpts, book release, British history, customs and tradiitons, England, Georgian England, Georgian Era, giveaway, historical fiction, history, Jane Austen, laws of the land, Living in the Regency, marriage, marriage customs, marriage licenses, Pride and Prejudice, publishing, reading, real life tales, Regency era, Regency romance, research, Vagary, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

“Nothing is Certain but Death and Taxes” . . . Death Fits the Bill, Yet What of Taxes? Happy Lady Day to All!

Posted on March 25, 2024 by Regina Jeffers

There were hundreds of taxes and so a variety of dates on which they would be due. Some were pay as you go, so to speak. For others, the tax man came along and counted the number of windows in the person’s residence and looked at the number of footmen employed and counted the crested carriages owned and other four-wheeled vehicles, etc., and made his demand. A person then had “x” number of days to pay the tax. Some taxes were due in quarter days and some on cross quarter days. Continue reading →

Posted in Act of Parliament, British history, buildings and structures, business, estates, finance, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, history, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, Regency era | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on “Nothing is Certain but Death and Taxes” . . . Death Fits the Bill, Yet What of Taxes? Happy Lady Day to All!

“King v. Curll,” Prosecuting an Infamous Publisher

Posted on January 5, 2024 by Regina Jeffers

As a former journalism teacher, I was familiar with the term “curlicisms,” but until I was working on a piece on criminal conversation last week, I had forgotten the source of the word was one Edmund [sometimes called “Edward”] Curll.  … Continue reading →

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