Tag Archives: real life tales

The Real Life Character of Beau Brummell in My Newest Release, “Loving Lord Lindmore” + a Giveaway

The real life character of George “Beau” Bryan Brummell makes two very important appearances in my story “Loving Lord Lindmore,” which is part of A Regency Summer Scandal Anthology. His first permits my heroine, Lady Cora Midland, to become the … Continue reading

Posted in aristocracy, book excerpts, book release, British history, eBooks, excerpt, Georgian England, Georgian Era, giveaway, heroines, historical fiction, publishing, reading, reading habits, real life tales, Regency era, Regency personalities, Regency romance, research, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

William Strickland, the Man Who Introduced Turkeys to England

Tomorrow in the U.S., we will be all about the turkey and fixings and football and preparing for Black Friday sales, but in the U.K., turkeys are a more traditional dish for Christmas. Why might you ask? We can blame … Continue reading

Posted in British history, buildings and structures, Christmas, Church of England, customs and tradiitons, England, history, holidays, kings and queens, legends, Living in the UK, real life tales, religion, Thanksgiving | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Wellington’s “Waterloo Dispatch” ~ Part 2

After my post on Friday regarding Wellington’s “Waterloo Dispatch,” I received several email regarding the contents of the dispatch. First, permit me to share it with you (from Wikisource), and then I will make a few comments on the news … Continue reading

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Celebrating Victory: The Waterloo Dispatch

18 June 1815 saw what has become known as The Battle of Waterloo. The French Army was led by Napoleon Bonaparte, a man still attempting to capture the glory of the French empire of 1810. France of 1815 had lost … Continue reading

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Cheddar Man and Mr. Targett: Stone Age Connections

Okay, today, I am not talking about cheese, though the “gentleman” in question is associated with Cheddar, England, which is famous for its cheese. Cheddar is also famous for Cheddar Gorge and a line of limestone caves found there. Rather, … Continue reading

Posted in British history, England, exploration, family, Great Britain, history, real life tales, science, world history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Portland Place, London’s Widest Street and the Adam Brothers’ Legacy

Portland Place was designed by Robert and James Adam in 1767. Originally, Robert Adam had thought to make this area a veritable street of palaces. Unfortunately for Adam, all attempts to do so failed, and rows of townhouses, though spacious and more than a bit intimidating at times, was settled upon. A “close” of great houses it has been called. The width of the thoroughfare/street was determined by the 3rd Duke of Portland’s obligations to his tenant, Lord Thomas Foley, whose northward view from Foley House could not be interfered with: Therefore, the width of Portland Place is the width of Foley House. At around 125 feet wide, the street is commonly referred to as the widest street in London. The agreement was signed in January 1767 and confirmed by an Act of Parliament in April of that year. James Adam negotiated the understanding for the development, which, initially, only covered the southern half of Portland Place, as well as the streets leading off it to either side, going as far north as Weymouth Street. The agreement for the northern half was negotiated in April 1776. Continue reading

Posted in architecture, aristocracy, British history, buildings and structures, Georgian England, Georgian Era, history, legacy, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, real life tales, Regency era | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Portland Place, London’s Widest Street and the Adam Brothers’ Legacy

The Duke Is Dead, Long Live the Duke . . . Now What?

During the Georgian era, a will could be declared void it the person was insane or drunk at the time of its creation or be voided if it was proven to have been written for a convicted felon, a prisoner, or an outlaw/thief. So it was also for those who committed suicide or had been excommunicated from the church or if the person was a slave. A married woman required the consent of her husband to have a will drawn up. Worst so, the husband had the right to withdraw his permission up until the will was probated. Because the legal age to marry during the time was 14 for boys and 12 for girls, such was the same ages for wills. Continue reading

Posted in Act of Parliament, aristocracy, British history, estates, family, Georgian England, Georgian Era, history, Inheritance, laws of the land, legacy, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, real life tales, Regency era, titles of aristocracy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

‘Kinder- un Hausmärchen’ + the Release of “Amending the Shades of Pemberley” + a Giveaway

Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm published the first volume of their collected fairy tales in 1812 under the title Kinder- und Hausmärchen. By 1822, the brothers had published three volumes containing 170 tales total with subsequent editions bringing that number to over 200. Continue reading

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Have You Ever Heard of a “Bachelor Tax”?

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

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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