Tag: Regency
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Glossary of Wacky Words I Love (And Use)
This week’s post is technically just about the Regency Period. Instead, I wanted to provide a brief glossary of words I enjoy, and which I use (sometimes to the confusion of others). Please forgive my definitions, as any mistakes are certainly my own. Bow Street – reference to the Bow Street Runners or Bow Street…
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The Pig-Faced Woman: Found it!
Have you ever found a little tidbit of research only to completely forget where or when you saw it? What you have here has eluded me for months. I originally read of this legend in Captain Rees Howell Gronow’s reminiscences. Behold: The pig-faced lady. I finally found word of it (and was jumping up and…
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Regency Graveyards, Pt1
Remember how I mentioned that I have a thirst for the unusual when it comes to the Regency period? As a result, I have been combing resources (online and elsewhere) for information about Regency graveyards. First note: if you want to do the same search, save yourself some aggravation, and use the search term “cemetery”…
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Stress Driving You Mad?: St. Luke’s Hospital
Bedlam, or Bethlem, Hospital has achieved such historic notoriety, certainly most of us have heard of it. Here it was that pauper lunatics were sent up until 1751. Now, the sad fact was that the 18th and early 19th centuries were not kind to lunatics. They were often treated little better than animals. If they…
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A Regency Woman’s “Job”
Today’s post was inspired while I poked around at other people’s lovely blogs. I came upon “The Regency Reticule” (do follow the link to check it out yourself.) Here’s the quote I liked: “…For instance, nowadays, most parents of daughters want their little girls to grow up and find a career or vocation they can…
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A Very Brief History Of Forensics: Yes, Pre 20th c.
Like most people, I got my first “taste” of forensics through CSI, and found myself fascinated. Unlike most people, this fascination led me to want to write a book about a Regency era detective who used forensics to solve crimes, and magic to fill in the blanks of unavailable technology. First, I had to research…
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Regency Cops and Robbers: The Robbers
Last week I gave you a very brief overview of the law enforcement provided by the Watch and the Bow Street Runners. This week, we take a look at the criminals. Fact is, not having an organized police force on the streets, coupled with extremely punishing laws that did little to equalize the level of…
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Regency Cops and Robbers: Pt 1: The Cops
While the Regency is often remembered / thought of in relation to Jane Austen, the social activities of the ton, and perhaps some connection to Waterloo and the Peninsular Wars, it’s also an interesting time socially. And it definitely has a dark side. Now, I’m not going to get into all the details about the…
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Taking a Regency Holiday: Travel Regency Style
Travel is not for the meek of heart. I love to travel to new places, encounter new experiences … but I don’t especially care for the actual “travel” part. You know, the hassle of the airport (passports, security, squashy-tin-flying-thing, customs), or driving (stuck in a car forever). I usually have to decide I really want…
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Travelling: Social Curiosity Today and in the Regency
I just got back from San Francisco this week (awesome city, lots of fun). While traveling, I’ve been going through a travel book written in the Regency in c.1804, “Letters from England” by Robert Southey. Essentially, the author notes and observes some of what he considers oddities he encounters on his travels through England, largely…