Tag Archives: marriage

The Pitfalls of Breaking an Engagement During the Regency Era

Posted on May 8, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

Only if a man uncovered a flaw in the morals of the lady to whom he proposed could he even consider calling off a marriage proposal. Once he spoke the words and the lady had accepted, there was no “take backs.” If the man left the woman standing at the altar as a no-show, it was thought he had discovered something of her low character, generally, that she had known another intimately. Continue reading →

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Marriage by Proxy, Possible or Myth? + The Release of “Amending the Shades of Pemberley” + a Giveaway

Posted on April 19, 2023 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 →

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Have You Ever Heard of a “Bachelor Tax”?

Posted on April 17, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

In the late 1600s (1695, to be more exact), the English parliament passed The Marriage Duty Act or Registration Tax, which imposed a tax on births, marriages, burials, childless widowers, and bachelors over the age of 25. The tax’s purpose was to rase revenue for the war with France. It was also to ensure proper records were kept by an Anglican church officials. The tax was found ineffective and abolished by 1706.  Continue reading →

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Caroline Norton, a True Case of a Competency Hearing

Posted on March 31, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

Caroline Norton, born Caroline Elizabeth Sarah Sheridan, on 22 March 1808, in London (died 15 June 1877, London), was an English poet and novelist whose matrimonial difficulties prompted successful efforts to secure legal protection for married women. Continue reading →

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Historical Aspects of the Word “Cuckold”

Posted on March 24, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

I recently received a question on a sensitive subject. Question: I have a question about cuckolding during the late Georgian era. I know for the most part that a woman who was brazen about her affairs could/would suffer public censure … Continue reading →

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Dreams and Amnesia as a Romance Trope in “Darcy’s Temptation” + a Giveaway

Posted on January 30, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

First, I must disclose the original title for Darcy’s Temptation was Darcy’s Dreams. There are several poignant dreams which move the story along, even though quite a few of them are of the nature of a flashback. However, when Ulysses … Continue reading →

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Courtesy Title or Not

Posted on January 2, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

Courtesy titles are the bane of all writers dealing with the aristocracy. First and foremost, if you are one of those who cannot keep it straight, I would suggest this link https://www.chinet.com/~laura/html/titles05.html as it contains a good summary, along with … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, customs and tradiitons, England, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, history, Jane Austen, Living in the UK, marriage, Pride and Prejudice, real life tales, Regency era, research, titles of aristocracy, tradtions, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

A Widow’s Rights? What Was English Law on the Matter? + Release of “His Christmas Violet: A Regency Second Chance Romance”

Posted on December 9, 2022 by Regina Jeffers

In my tale, His Christmas Violet, Lady Violet Graham, is a widow. Being a widow at the time, particularly, women in the aristocracy or gentry class, provided a woman more freedom than she ever could expect in remarrying. She would customarily … Continue reading →

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Female Inheritance and the Release of “His Christmas Violet, a Regency Second Chance Romance”

Posted on December 7, 2022 by Regina Jeffers

Under English law, women were subordinate to their husbands. It was expected that the woman was under the “protection and influence of her husband, her baron, or lord.” The law stated the old adage of “two shall become one.” She … Continue reading →

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Breaking an Engagement in the Regency Era (Round 2)

Posted on October 17, 2022 by Regina Jeffers

After my last post in August on the issue of a breach of promise in the Regency, I have received several more questions on the subject. I hope some of what I am sharing below will clear up those concerns. … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, family, Georgian, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, history, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, marriage, marriage customs, real life tales, Regency era, research, tradtions | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment