Tag Archives: Regency Era

Negotiating Marriage Settlements During the Regency Era

We have all likely read the part in a Regency romance where marriage settlements were discussed, but how did those come about?  “A marriage settlement in England was a historic arrangement whereby, most commonly and in its simplest form, a trust of land … Continue reading

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Happy 13th Book Birthday to “The Phantom of Pemberley: A Pride and Prejudice Mystery”

On July 1, 2010, Ulysses Press released The Phantom of Pemberley: A Pride and Prejudice Mystery. It was the first of my cozy mysteries, and it remains a favorite. In 2019, I received the rights to all my Ulysses Press titles back from the company. I have periodically been rereleasing them with new covers and to new readers.

I would love to share something of the historical tidbit that is the key to solving the mystery, but, what fun would that be for all those who love a good mystery and think themselves capable of spotting the clues early on. Moreover, as I skipped kindergarten (and a few other grades), I never learned to share properly. LOL! The whole “solving the mystery thing” revolves around one key clue all the characters miss. Hopefully, you will you be wiser than they are. Continue reading

Posted in Austen Authors, book excerpts, book release, British history, excerpt, George Wickham, Georgian England, Georgian Era, heroines, historical fiction, history, Jane Austen, legends, legends and myths, marriage, mystery, paranormal, Pride and Prejudice, publishing, reading habits, Regency era, royalty, spooky tales, suspense, tall tales, Ulysses Press, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Celebrating the Release of “Regency Summer Scandals” Anthology + a Giveaway

In my latest tale, Loving Lord Lindmore, my heroine has some hoydenish tendencies, for the stories in the A Regency Summer Scandal Anthology, are all about scandals and who commits them. Lady Cora has been taught to use a knife … Continue reading

Posted in anthology, book release, British history, Dreamstone Publishing, Georgian England, Georgian Era, giveaway, historical fiction, history, Living in the Regency, medieval, publishing, Regency era, Regency romance, research, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Guardianships During the Regency

So, who or what determined whether a person was a fit guardian? Guardianship during the Regency era had its strictures. For example, guardianship was not hereditary. If a guardian dies, someone had to apply to the Court in Chancery to be appointed the minor child’s next guardian. All children over the age of 14 had a right to suggest the person he or she wanted as guardian. Quite often two or three guardians were named in case one of them died before the child reached his/her majority. At one time, the guardians were the child’s godparents—2 males and 1 female for a male child and 2 females and 1 male for a female. The mother and her brother were often named. However, the mother lost her rights as guardian if she remarried. Continue reading

Posted in book excerpts, book release, excerpt, family, Georgian England, Georgian Era, giveaway, heroines, historical fiction, Inheritance, Living in the Regency, publishing, reading habits, Regency era, Regency romance, romance, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

The Honourable East India Company + the Release of “The Earl’s English Rose” + a Giveaway

The vast majority of men who went into East India Company employment had some family/friend connection who assisted them to become established. Such is why we often read how the hero has a distant relative who is a Director of the East India Company and assists him to earn a position with the firm. Alternatively, the hero of one’s tale could have been in military service; by the Regency era, the East India Company had its own private army and navy in India, with English officers and mostly Indian ‘sepoys’ (privates).

The man might be required to work in London for several years, likely something to do with their warehouses – as a writer or secretary or clerk, perhaps. Or he could work directly for East India House, possibly as a secretary to one of the directors. I found one mention (in The East India Company’s London Workers) of a minor aristocrat working as a warehouse laborer, although this would be very very uncommon (and probably unbefitting of a romance novel hero). Continue reading

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Happy 11th Book Birthday to A Touch of Cashémere, Book 3 of the REALM Series!

Previously, I brought you book 2 of this fabulous series. [If you wish more information on all the books in the series, visit my website rjefferscom.wordpress.com to read excerpts.] You will notice I brought out books two and three of … Continue reading

Posted in book excerpts, books, buildings and structures, eBooks, historical fiction, Living in the Regency, Napoleonic Wars, Realm series, Regency era, Regency romance, Scotland | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Privilege of Peerage in Avoiding Punishment

Not all crimes allowed a use of privilege, which was close to the Benefit of clergy that everyone else could use without the farce of the neck verse. The woman’s father or guardian would generally have to bring the suit–unless she was of age. The charge would be abduction. Continue reading

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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

The Pitfalls of Breaking an Engagement During the Regency Era

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

Posted in book excerpts, British history, customs and tradiitons, Georgian England, Georgian Era, historical fiction, history, Jane Austen, laws of the land, Living in the Regency, marriage, Pride and Prejudice, publishing, reading, reading habits, Regency romance, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Practicing Medicine in Jane Austen’s Regency England

In Regency England, the medical field consisted of apothecaries, surgeons, and physicians. Only physicians could call themselves “Doctor.” Continue reading

Posted in British history, Georgian England, Georgian Era, herbs, history, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, medicine, Pride and Prejudice, real life tales, Regency era, research | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments