Tag Archives: medieval

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

Posted on November 24, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

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 , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Cotton or Cottonian Library

Posted on January 6, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

A bust of Robert Cotton by Louis-François Roubiliac ~ Public Domain ~ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_Robert_Cotton,_1st_Baronet,_of_Connington#/media/File:Robert_Bruce_Cotton_bust_BM_1924_0412_1.jpg Keeping with Wednesday’s post on Circulating Libraries, I thought I might mention a library some, especially in the U.S. have not considered. The Cotton Library was founded by … Continue reading →

Posted in Age of Chaucer, architecture, books, British history, Chaucer, Church of England, England, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, history, literature, medieval, publishing, real life tales, Regency era, religion, research, war | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on The Cotton or Cottonian Library

An Old-Fashioned Holiday Season. Perhaps Not! Be Careful for What You Wish!

Posted on December 2, 2022 by Regina Jeffers

Have we lost the meaning of the holidays? As many of us have already run through our budget for gifts, others are wondering how we lost the true meaning of the Christmas season. Christians bemoaned the lost of the story … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Christmas, customs and tradiitons, food and drink, Great Britain, history, holidays, medieval, religion, research | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

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

Posted on November 30, 2022 by Regina Jeffers

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 →

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All Hallow’s Eve During the Regency

Posted on October 31, 2022 by Regina Jeffers

For this piece, I pulled together bits of information on All Hallow’s Eve from a variety of sources, all of which are cited within the post. I hope you enjoy learning of some of Halloween’s traditions.  All Hallow’s Eve (Halloween … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, history, holidays, Ireland, Jane Austen, legends, legends and myths, medieval, Northanger Abbey, real life tales, religion, Scotland, Wales | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on All Hallow’s Eve During the Regency

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

Posted on October 28, 2022 by Regina Jeffers

  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

Caister Castle, Only English Example of a “Wasserburg-Style Moated Castle”

Posted on February 9, 2022 by Regina Jeffers

A 90-foot tower is all that remains of Caister Castle, which was originally commissioned in 1432 by Sir John Fastolf, who served bravely during the 100 Year War. However, from the tower, visitors can view the castle ruins and the … Continue reading →

Posted in Age of Chaucer, British history, buildings and structures | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

The Second Shepherds’ Play, England’s “First Comedy”

Posted on July 7, 2021 by Regina Jeffers

  The Wakefield mystery play cycle included The Second Shepherd’s Play. The author is unknown, but the play is commonly attributed to the Wakefield Master. This play dates from the latter half of the 15th Century. It is written in Middle … Continue reading →

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Pre-Elizabethan Drama: Morality Plays

Posted on February 4, 2019 by Regina Jeffers

Previously, I did a piece on Liturgical Drama. Today I would like to look at Moralities. As compared to the Miracle or Liturgical dramas, the morality play was one where the playwright had to come up with an original story … Continue reading →

Posted in acting, Age of Chaucer, Anglo-Normans, Anglo-Saxons, British history, drama, medieval, playwrights, Vagary | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Pre-Elizabethan Drama: Morality Plays

The Village of Ewelme and Alice Chaucer, Duchess of Suffolk

Posted on July 13, 2018 by Regina Jeffers

In the wooded village of Ewelme in Oxfordshire, we discover an elaborate church monument incorporating a cadaver tomb at St Mary’s Church. An alabaster tomb, remaining essentially undamaged by time, is the resting place of Alice Chaucer, granddaughter of Geoffrey … Continue reading →

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