Category: Regency Era
1812: A Turning Point in British History by Laurie Alice Eakes
1812: A Turning Point in British History by Laurie Alice Eakes
For those of us immersed in the Regency time period, the year 1812 holds numerous significant incidents–incidents that set history on a course from the old world and into the new. Power changed hands in government and wars, the Industrial Revolution dug in its heels, and Great Britain, for all it became the most far-flung empire in history, began to receive its first glimpse of a shocking truth—it would not always rule the waves.
George IV Prince Regent
By 1811, few people denied that the king was permanently mad and could no longer be head of state. The Regency bill passed making his eldest son, also a George, the Prince Regent, or the head of the government. The king, however, still showed enough glimpses of restoration to health that “Prinney” didn’t assume full powers of his role until 1812.
A gamester and profligate spender, the Prince Regent was forever petitioning Parliament for money. This placed him in the power of Parliament and the role of royalty in actually running the government of the kingdom began to diminish.
While Prinney assumed his role as head of Great Britain, a man known as Captain Ludd assumed a different kind of leadership role mostly in the north. The Luddite Rebellion fills books it is such a complex subject, a small war that ultimately took soldiers into Nottingham and York and Lancashire to put it down. Many men died.
Maria Edgeworth – Regency Promenade by Nancy Mayer
In our Regency Promenade today, Nancy Mayer looks at Maria Edgeworth, a prolific writer of adults’ and children’s literature who held advanced views on estate management, politics and education.
Maria Edgeworth by John Downman 1807
Maria Edgeworth 1767-1849
“As a woman, my life, wholly domestic, can offer nothing
of interest to the public.” Maria
*****************
Maria Edgeworth was one of three children born to her father’s first, and least loved, wife.
Richard Edgeworth had four wives and twenty-one children. He had a large estate in Ireland. He experimented with education , using his children as subjects. Maria adored her father.
He brought her home from school when she was sixteen and set her as an assistant teacher to her siblings.
Maria Edgeworth
Maria’s family knew her as a warm, practical, volatile, loving person.
She became agitated over little upsets but was calm and efficient in major upheavals; she scoffed at the use of the supernatural and overly comic in books but enjoyed reading about them with her family.
She accepted her father’s philosophy of utilitarinism and incorporated its lessons in her stories for children.
Minature of Maria Edgeworth by Adam Buck c1790
She believed that a woman’s best profession was that of wife and mother, but never married.
She considered herself a critic of the feminist movement of Wollstonecraft and Mary Hays, but her writings mark her as a closet feminist; she also demonstrated an interest and competence in “masculine subjects” such as science, accounting, and logic.
At first, Maria wrote her books in collaboration or with the suggestion of her father. However with Letters for Literary Ladies and Castle Rackrent she wrote both of them without the knowledge of her father.
Hannah More and Her Circle By Cheryl Bolen
Today, Cheryl Bolen reviews a book on Hannah More, who was an important figure campaigning for social reform in Regency England. But did you know that in her younger days the proper Hannah More had written for the stage and had become friendly with some of the leading lights of English theatre and literature? Once you have read Cheryl’s review of this biography of Hannah More, you may want to seek out the book at your local library to learn more about this fascinating woman.
A Primer on Regency Era Women’s Fashion by Kristen Koster at Impulsive Hearts.
A Primer on Regency Era Women’s Fashion by Kristen Koster at Impulsive Hearts.
"Parisian Ladies in their Full Winter Dress for 1800", an over-the-top exaggerated satirical Nov. 24th 1799 caricature print by Isaac Cruikshank, on the excesses of the late-1790s Parisian high Greek look, and the too-diaphanous styles allegedly sometimes worn there. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
This is an overview of women’s fashions in the Regency Era and the apparel they changed in and out of multiple times per day. This list isn’t exhaustive by any means and is rather representative of the upper classes rather than the working classes, but should give a good foundation in recognizing what an author is talking about and why they’re so focused on their characters being fashion conscious.
Before we get into the individual items of clothing, it’s important to realize some phrases we use today didn’t mean quite the same thing 200 years ago. For example, when we say “She was in a state of undress.” or “She was caught en dishabille.” The folks of the regency wouldn’t have batted an eye. It was quite common for ladies to entertain guests in their boudoirs while dressed in comfortable, but concealing gowns and robes. The terms “undress”, “half-dress” and “full-dress” were degrees of formality, not coverage.
“Undress” meant simply casual, informal dress in the Regency period. This would be the type of dress worn from early morning to noon or perhaps as late as four or five, depending on one’s engagements for the day. Undress was usually more comfortable, more warm, more casual, and much cheaper in cost than half dress or full dress.
“Half Dress” is perhaps one of the most difficult concepts to grasp about Regency Fashion. Basically it is any dress halfway between Undress and Full Dress. In modern terms it might be thought of as dressy casual or casual business attire in terms of formality, if not style.
“Full dress” was the most formal kind of dress in a Regency Lady’s wardrobe. Full dress was worn for the most formal occasions — evening concerts and card parties, soirees, balls, and court occasions. “Evening dress” referred to outfits suitable only at evening events, but was a specific subset of “full dress”.
1817 walking costume (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The Art of the Cravat for the Regency Gentleman by Kristen Koster
Following on from her Primer of Men’s Regency fashion, Kristen Koster now explains The Art of the Cravat for the Regency Gentleman.
One of the fun things about writing historicals is you have to learn all this really cool trivia. You need to be able to set the stage and do it in a believable manner. This includes how to properly dress your characters.
Contemporary heroes have life easy. They pretty much only have to know how to tie a half-Windsor knot and their heroines always step in to rescue the day if they’ve forgotten or get fumble-fingered. And then there’s the clip-on bow tie for formal wear.
Not so the Regency rake! His valet was under much more pressure to make his master presentable and indeed, even to shine above the rest and be perceived as unique. Instead of a couple of basic ways to tie that already nicely formed strip of silk that’s decorated in a rank suitable fashion, the Regency buck (or at least his man) was expected to be familiar with a far more numerous array of styles.
A Primer on Regency Era Men’s Fashion by Kristen Koster
A Primer on Regency Era Men’s Fashion by Kristen Koster at Impulsive Hearts.
Beau Brummell wears a Regency period dress coat as daytime dress. The coat is able to close and the tails are knee length. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Regency Men’s Fashion.
The terms Undress, Half Dress, and Full Dress were applied to men and women.
For men, “Undress” would include having his jacket and cravat removed, something that was not done in polite or mixed company if the gentleman could avoid it. Dressing gowns and robes also fit this bill for gentlemen lounging at home. “Half Dress” for men would be less elaborate knots in their neck cloths, much simpler and more casual styles of clothing. “Full Dress” and “Evening Dress” are the equivalent of today’s black tie affairs. Almack’s was a special case, where gentlemen of the ton were expected to wear breeches instead of trousers.
Regency Promenade – Henry Paget From Scandal to Hero by Nancy Mayer
Nancy Mayer looks at the life of Henry Paget in today’s Regency Promenade.
Sir Henry William Paget (1768-1854), 1st Marquess of Anglesey, 2nd Earl of Uxbridge
From Scandal to Hero.
Lord Paget, Earl of Uxbridge, Marquess of Anglesey.
When Henry was born, his father had the surname of Bayly and was Lord Paget.
The father adopted Paget as a surname when he was created the Earl of Uxbridge in 1784 . At that time, Henry became Lord Paget by which name he was known until 1812.
Henry, Lord Paget married Lady Caroline Villiers, daughter of the 4th Earl of Jersey in 1795, and had eight children with her.
Lord Paget was a member of parliament from 1790 to 1804 as well as between 1806 to 1810. Though he was elected to a seat in Parliament, Paget was also an active military officer.
Wikipedia says: Paget raised the regiment of Staffordshire volunteers and was given the temporary rank of lieutenant-colonel in 1793. He rose rapidly in rank after he had some experience.
New Release Books – March / April, 2012
New Release Books – March/ April 2012 
As promised, here are some more of the New Release Books from our wonderful Beau Monde members. Enjoy more great reading!
HOW TO RAVISH A RAKE by Vicky Dreiling 
My Elusive Countess by Carolynn Carey 
Historical Regency – March 22nd, 2012
Ellora’s Cave, Blush line - http://www.jasminejade.com/p-9927-my-elusive-countess.aspx
Although Amanda was born into the merchant class, she married into the aristocracy, a fact she would regret were it not for the son she bore to the Earl of Willowvale. Now widowed for two years, Amanda is attempting to protect her son from exposure to the vices of the nobility when her plans are overset by the unexpected appearance of a guardian for her son. Unknown to the countess, the Marquess of Blackbourne is guardian to her young son, and he intends to see that the boy is raised as befits his station, even if that means taking him away from his mother.
http://carolynncareyblogs.com/historical-novels-2/
HIS LORDSHIP’S VOW by Cheryl Bolen 
Short & sweet (sex-wise) novel of 31,000 words
Ebook at Amazon, B&N, Smashwords – March
Plain spinster Jane Featherstone helps lord she’s long loved woo an heiress to honor the deathbed vow he made to his father.
RUINED BY RUMOR by Alyssa Everett
Regency Historical
Carina Press, 978-14268-9378-0
May 21, 2012
After waiting five years for her fiancé to return from the war and marry her, Roxana Langley has been jilted! She may have longed for excitement, but this was not what she had in mind… Who could possibly throw over a woman as beautiful and vivacious as Roxana? Certainly not the Earl of Ayersley, who has spent years trying in vain to forget his unrequited love. When he learns she’s been abandoned by her cad of a fiancé, he finds himself offering a shoulder for her to cry on.
www.rasley.com
www.edittorrent.blogspot.com
twitter / @RegencyTwisters
facebook Alicia Rasley
Regency Historical – March 2012
Publisher – Kone Enterprises
Can the daughter of a jumped-up tradesman find happiness with a handsome and charming viscount, or does her destiny lie elsewhere? Perhaps with a man who isn’t trying to kill her?
Author blog http://mosaicmoments.blogspot.
twitter / @blairbancroft
facebook Grace Kone
Regency Historical (ebook)
Maddie Vincouer conceals her father’s death in 1809 after promising to save her family from Cousin Sanford’s greed. A Riding Officer endangers this pretense with his insistent demands to meet her father. Then chance reveals her secret to the cruel French spy Donatien. Matters go completely awry when Maddie aids a wounded “free trader”. In a desperate attempt to save her Bellaport enlists the help of Baron de la Croix and rolls the dice on the fate of all their lives. If they survive will Maddie forgive his deceit.
Website http://www.joanvincent.net Blog: 6th of each month http://warawriters.blogspot.
Dedication by Janet Mullany 
Regency Historical - Loose-Id - 978-1-61118-557-7
April 17, 2012
Random House (Ballantine) ISBN-13: 978-0345523884
THE DUCHESS OF LOVE by Sally MacKenzie 
Regency Historical - e-novella
Kensington Zebra Books, ISBN-13: 9781420123203 – May 2012
The day was as hot as the pond was inviting. It’s not as if anyone in Little Huffington was going to happen upon a secluded vale on the Duke of Greycliffe’s lands. And Venus Collingswood didn’t want to get her shift all wet. It was the perfect setting in which to plan her lovely bookworm of a sister’s betrothal to the mysterious new duke arriving seven days hence. If only she had a suitable accomplice. Andrew Valentine, Duke of Greycliffe, never thought arriving at his own household a week early would cause so much trouble. The housekeeper thinks he’s his own cousin. Actually, the chance to not be the duke for a while is a pleasant opportunity indeed. It might even help him interrogate the delectable little nymph he’s discovered swimming in his pond–if he can manage to get a word in edgewise.
BEDDING LORD NED by Sally MacKenzie
Regency Historical – June, 2012
Kensington Zebra Books, ISBN-13: 9781420123210
Ellie Bowman is determined: during this year’s Valentine house party, she will choose one of the men the matchmaking Duchess of Greycliffe–aka the Duchess of Love–has invited for her. Unfortunately, that man will not be Lord Ned, the duchess’s second son. Ned is still mourning his wife and will never see Ellie as anything other than a childhood friend. Lord Ned has vowed to finally cooperate with his mother’s matchmaking efforts. He wants a family; he needs an heir. Ergo, he must get a wife–and this year’s candidate even looks like his lost love. But his old friend Ellie is behaving strangely, and Reggie, Mama’s cat, keeps bringing him a pair of shocking red drawers. This outrageous, alluring scrap of silk couldn’t be Ellie’s could it?
www.SallyMacKenzie.net - http://sallymackenzie.
@Sally_MacKenzie www.facebook.com/
The Last of Lady Lansdown by Shirley Kennedy 
Regency Historical
Publisher: Camel Press May 1, 2012, Available in both print and e-book format
Few mourn the sudden and shocking passing of the Earl of Lansdown. Certainly not Jane Elton, the young and beautiful widow whose life he made a misery. After her initial relief, Jane must contend with an unexpected and devastating reality: because she is childless, she and her family must descend several rungs down the social ladder. One hope remains. Could she be pregnant? Enter Douglas Cartland, a notorious rake with a tragic past. During these first months of widowhood, Jane’s conduct must be above reproach, but she cannot keep her distance. Especially when Cartland contrives to turn up everywhere she looks.
Website: www.shirleykennedy.com
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ASSEMBLY ROOM – Round-up of Regency and historical posts
ASSEMBLY ROOM – Round-up of Regency and historical posts 
by Angelyn Schmid
The Proliferation of Newspapers in Regency England
The Proliferation of Newspapers in Regency England
The Times Newspaper
By Cheryl Bolen
Despite heavy taxation, high cost, and government censorship that included prosecution for libel, newspapers proliferated during the Regency.
In 1816, there were 31 national newspapers, including 14 in London. Daily papers included The Times, The Morning Chronicle, Morning Post, and The Morning Herald.
The leading newspapers of those were John Walters’ Times, which catered to the Tories; James Perry’s Morning Chronicle, a vehicle for the Whigs; and The Morning Post, which was heavily supported by the Prince Regent. Each of these was a morning newspaper.
Evening newspapers included The Sun, The Courier, The Globe, The Star, The Traveller, and The Statesman. Other daily papers were The British Press, The Public Ledger, and The Morning Advertiser.
Newspapers published Monday-Wednesday-Friday included The London Chronicle, The London Packet, and The Evening Mail.
On Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday, the Commercial Journal, the St. James Chronicle, General Evening Post, and The English Chronicle appeared.
Those periodicals published only on Mondays included the Farmers Journal, Country Chronicle The News, the Hunt Brothers’ infamous Examiner, the National Register, and Bell’s Messenger.
Saturday-only publications included Cobbett’s influential Political Register and Mirror of the Times while Baldwin’s Journal appeared only on Friday, as did the Country Herald.
Cost of newspapers was a hefty 7 pence. It was estimated that because of the high cost, each newspaper passed through twenty pair of hands. They were also available at coffee houses and circulating libraries.
Laughing Gas by Angelyn Schmid
Laughing Gas at Landsdowne House by Angelyn Schmid
Lansdowne House
The third Marquess of Lansdowne was no stranger to the rich and famous that came to the great London house. His father had hosted Benjamin Franklin (1706 – 1790) when the latter came to negotiate the terms for American independence.
One who was credited with the discovery of oxygen, Joseph Priestley (1733 – 1804) ran tame at Lansdowne House as well, living off the largess of the first marquess when he was still Lord Shelburne.
Regency Promenade – The Brothers Scott
In our Regency Promenade today, Nancy Mayer looks at the lives of The Brothers Scott.
William, who became Lord Stowell, and John, who became Lord Eldon.
Their father, William Scott of near Newcastle upon Tyne who made a modest fortune selling coal. He had thirteen children with his wife but only three sons and two daughter survived to adulthood….
William born with a twin sister in 1745; Henry; and John born 1751. Henry followed in his father’s footstep’s.
ASSEMBLY ROOM – Round-up of Regency and historical posts
ASSEMBLY ROOM – Round-up of Regency and historical posts – March 2012
Almack's Assembly Room 1805-1825
Lighting in the Georgian period – so that’s where snot comes from: http://historicalromanceuk.blogspot.com/
Vauxhall Gardens By Rowlandson
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New Book Releases – March / April 2012
More New Book Releases from authors at The Beau Monde Chapter
( Regency historical ) of Romance Writers of America.
March, 2012
THE RELUCTANT MARQUESS by Maggi Andersen
Author blog http://www.maggiandersen.
twitter @maggiandersen
facebook Maggi Andersen Author
Passion and Pretense by Susan Gee Heino
Passion and Pretense by Susan Gee Heino
Regency Historical, Berkley Sensation, Available March 2012, 978-0-425246986
From the national bestselling author of Temptress in Training… Miss Penelope Rastmoor has always been a bit of a troublemaker. Determined to thwart her brother’s plans to get her properly married, she decides what she needs is the most horrible, unsuitable fiancé ever imagined. Unfortunately, she never quite imagined Lord Harry!
Lord Harry Chesterton has his own reasons for agreeing to Penelope’s scheme. A man’s life hangs in the balance and Lord Harry needs what Penelope has—a mysterious Egyptian scarab. Yes, he’ll pose as her unsuitable fiancé and he’ll get his hands on her scarab. But will he be content with that, or will Lord Harry end up stealing something more precious?
THE WEDDING WAGER by Elena Greene 
Traditional Regency Novella, Ebook available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Smashwords
BETWEEN THE DUKE AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA by Sophie Nash 
Regency Historical, On sale: February 28, 2012,>Avon, ISBN 978-0-06-202232-5
First book in the Royal Entourage series. Six Regency heroes—One royal hangover
An infamous night has been lost to memory. The scandalous Dukes of the Royal Entourage must make amends. The first step is a heroic rescue. One of England’s most disreputable peers, Alexander Barclay, Duke of Kress, has stumbled upon a perfect opportunity for redemption. Having been exiled to Cornwall by the Prince Regent himself, Barclay discovers lovely Roxanne Vanderhaven clinging to the edge of a cliff, stranded there by her murderous blackguard of a husband . . . just waiting to be rescued. Back on solid ground, Roxanne is desperate for a new life— once she’s retaliated for her husband’s despicable actions. Surprisingly, she finds herself drawn to her unlikely champion, certainly the last man in England she could count on. Yet, the infamous Duke of Kress isn’t quite the scoundrel he seems . . .
THE ART OF DUKE HUNTING By Sophia Nash
Regency Historical, On sale: March 27, 2012, Avon, ISBN 978-0062022332Second book in the Royal Entourage series.
The Hangover meets Regency England in RITA Award-winning author Sophia Nash’s wickedly clever and wonderfully sensual Royal Entourage historical romance novels. In The Art of Duke Hunting, the second in her series, the dashing Duke of Norwich—on the morning after a most extravagant royal bachelor party that he simple cannot recall—awakens on board ship and well out to sea…and in the arms of a stranger, an enchanting and most proper lady. The Art of Duke Hunting is funny, sexy, and wonderfully romantic, as fans of Karen Hawkins, Elizabeth Boyle, and Victoria Alexander will most assuredly agree. And unlike the members of the Royal Entourage, you will happily recall every delicious moment of it!
The Perfect Impostor by Wendy Soliman 
The Hunter Files / Risky Business – Carina Press, June 2012
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The Storybook Hero by Andrea Pickens (aka Cara Elliott/Andrea Penrose) 
DEVERELL’S DILEMMA by Kaye Calkins 
March 2012, Avalon, ISBN 978-0-8034-7462-8
Deverell Bromfield hasn’t trusted women since Ariadne threw him over for a viscount. Can he set aside his distrust of women to pursue the delightful and beautiful Alexandra Moreton? When his brother, Nat, is accused of murder Alexi’s father forbids her to see Deverell. Determined to save his brother and win her hand, Deverell sets out to find the real murderer only to discover the evidence points to Alexi’s brother. Deverell is on the horns of a dilemma.
http://writewithkaye.blogspot.
facebook: Kaye Calkins
Tease Me, Take Me by Cynthia Moore. 
Just as Amanda begins to get a little concerned about the identity of her secret fan, she receives another note promising she’ll learn who the author is within the next few days. When the person who has been writing the messages is finally revealed, what follows is an evening full of teasing, flirting, laughing and, best of all in Amanda’s opinion, romance.
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Regency Coin — What Did it Cost? by Shannon Donnelly
Regency Coin — What Did it Cost? by Shannon Donnelly
Proper Conduct by Shannon Donnelly
In Proper Conduct, Shannon Donnelly’s heroine spends a good deal of time worrying about money that is not there, particular after her father spends nearly 1,000 pounds on a horse.
Not an excessive sum to someone such as the Prince Regent, whose racing stud farm cost him 30,000 pounds a year.
But all these numbers seemed to need a bit of perspective.
Sisters of Ill Repute: The Regency’s Harriette Wilson and Her Profligate Sisters by Cheryl Bolen
Today, Cheryl Bolen gives us a biographical sketch of a coterie of notable Regency Cyprians. Most Regency devotees are well-aware of the notorious courtesan, Harriette Wilson, who blackmailed scores of powerful and famous men when she was writing her memoirs. But did you know she had three sisters who joined her in her scandalous profession?
Doctors in the Regency By Alicia Rasley
Old St. Thomas's Hospital, Southwark
Doctors in the Regency By Alicia Rasley
The first realization about medicine in the Regency era is that it bears almost no resemblance to modern medicine. The great discoveries that have helped most of our great-grandparents live long enough to create our grandparents were yet to be discovered.
What historian Roy Porter calls “The Three A’s” were developed later in the 19th Century and into the 20th:
❖ Anaesthesia
❖ Antiseptics (and antisepsis)
❖ Antibiotics (ultimately)
So when you imagine a medical practice without those three, well, you’ll probably think of Regency-era physicians as not much advanced since the Middle Age alchemists and astrologers.
Regency Promenade – Elizabeth, Lady Melbourne
Elizabeth, Lady Melbourne, introduced by our Regency Promenade author, Nancy Mayer.
Elizabeth, Lady Melbourne, with her son
Lady Melbourne (née Milbanke: 1752-1818) was one of the most famous Regency Personages.
Her two claims to fame are her son William, husband of Lady Caroline Lamb, and her friendship with Lord Byron, the poet. She was also known for her political influence and her lovers, including George, Prince of Wales.
She was the mother of several children by three different fathers and only the eldest, Peniston, was thought to have been fathered by Lord Melbourne.
Regency Florida by Darlene Marshall
Regency Florida by Darlene Marshall
St. Augustine Map 1763
In 1812 a plucky band of men of diverse races, nationalities and backgrounds came together to defend their homes from foreign invaders intent on seizing their land and destroying their way of life.
