Regency = Research - The Jane Austen Handbook

The Jane Austen Handbook. A Sensible Yet Elegant Guide to Her World.

"Every young lady dreams of a life spent exchanging witty asides with a dashing Mr Darcy, but how should you let him know your intentions? Seek counsel from this charming guide to Jane Austen's world. "

I found this handbook interesting and informative.

Gymnastics & Proud Grandmother

A very busy day yesterday which included Year Six's production of Aladdin at two of my grandsons' school.
The elder boy has bee practising gymnastics for 6 years. He is a member of a country team and has performed more than once in a theatre. Yesterday his performance looked effortless but he trains for 3 hours 3 times a week and sometimes on 5 days a week when a competition is imminent. ( He has already won a gold, silver and bronze medal. Not bad going for an 11-year old.)
Yesterday he came down the aisle between the audience and executed forward flips, cartwheels, handstands etc.,. Later he performed again in the from of the stage and once more at the final curtain call.
He received ample praise and, as you can imagine, I am very proud of him and admire his dedication and determination.

Regency - Research - Everyday Life in Regency & Victorian England

The Writer's Guide to Everyday Life in Regency and Victorian England From 1811 - 1901 by Kristine Hughes.

"In this time saving reference book, respected author Kristine Hughes brings 19th century England to life as she leads you through the details that characterise this fascinating era.

From slice-of life facts, anecdotes and first hand accounts, to sweeping timelines and major historical events, this book presents the delightful and often surprising daily realities of Regency and Victorian England. With it you'll craft a vibrant story while you learn." 

Regency Research - Walking Jane Austen's London

Walking Jane Austen's London, A Tour Guide for The Modern Traveller, by Louise Allen, is a beautifully illustrated gem of a book. Even if you will never physically tread in Jane Austen's footsteps it is well worth reading.

"This book presents nine walks through both the London Jane Austen knew and the London of her novels.  Follow in Jane Austen's footsteps to the Prince Regent's vanished palace, see where she stayed when she was correcting the proofs of Sense and Sensibility, accompany her on shopping expeditions. ...etc."

Regency - Research - Gardens

I have a rough book nearly filled with notes - non-fiction books for research, places of interest to visit including the ones I have been blogging about, websites and much more. Today I began to put them to good use. I reserved some books from the library, ordered some books from Amazon and visited lots of interesting websites. 

When I wrote Sunday's Child I found Regency Gardens by Mavis Batey published by Shire Publications Ltd., very useful.

"Regency architecture and gardening inherited the stylish elegance of the 18th century but added a lively touch, consistent with the mood of the new century and a high-spirited monarch in waiting."   

Regency - Reference Book - Costume

Two of my Regency Novels have been published and I am writing a third. The (out of print) Handbook of English Costume in the Nineteenth Century by C.Willet and Phillis Cunnington interesting and useful.

5* review of Far Beyond Rubies

Far Above Rubies has received five star reviews, one of which is as follows:-

“Hot Hero, Great Research, Touch of the Exotic, 24 Mar 2013

By

J. Pittam "Maythorn. "This review is from: Far Beyond Rubies (Kindle Edition)

It was great to see that there's a new Rosemary Morris out. I like her exquisite attention to detail, and she writes in the reign of Queen Anne, which is something a bit different from the usual Regency romance. In this new book, which I have to admit I raced through and will now read again, the heroine Juliana is stunned to discover that, according to her half-brother William, she and her sister are bastards.

The tale of how Gervaise Seymour helps her, how she helps herself, her sister and her various strays is quite enchanting.

Rosemary uses her knowledge of India, very pertinent in this period, to bring a spice of something different to this novel. Her 'tanned hero' is no pallid, painted Englishman but one who has travelled, married and been widowed on that exotic continent, thus earning himself the nickname 'Beau Hindu' amongst the fashionable in London.

This novel is not a light book, as it contains research into the politics, religion and morality of the reign of Queen Anne. However the research informs the novel quite naturally and I found this to be a lovely, sparkling romance. It is somewhat in the style of the late Georgette Heyer, although I think after four novels Rosemary Morris is developing a voice of her own.

Suitable for those who like a cracking good historical romance set in England, wll-researched, sensual but no explicit sex.”

 

Unusual Historicals

I'm delighted to have been invited to be featured at Lisa Yarde's group, Unusual Historical

Book Covers

This afternoon, I attended an interesting talk by Jane-Dixon Smith at the London Chapter meeting of the Romantic Novelists Association.

Her websites are well-worth visiting.

www.jsmith.design.co
www.facebook.com jdsmith.design

Writing - planning and plotting.

I am writing the Monday's Child set pre the Battle of Waterloo. It is the sequel to my novel Sunday's Child set in England in 1813, which is published by MuseItupPublishing.

Today, I took time out from writing to think about the novel. While doing so I made lettuce and pea soup.

My home grown Little Gem lettuces had bolted and the leaves were bitter so I stripped off the leaves.

The recipe is as follows:-
2 tablespoons of olive oil.
1 sliced leek
Leaves from 3 Little Gem or other lettuces.
Half a pound of peas.
One and a half pints of vegetable stock.
Salt and pepper to taste.
2 generous tablespoons of cream.

Fry the leek add all the ingredients except for the salt, pepper and cream. Bring to the boil then simmer until the lettuce is cooked. Tip it into a blender and liquidise. Taste and add salt and pepper to taste, then stir in the cream. Delicious.

Museums Relevant to the Regency

I've come to the end of my personal list of museums relevant to the Regency, but I'm sure there is much more to be found. Visits to the British Museum and art galleries would probably be worthwhile.

Place of Regency Interest - Windsor Castle

Of course Windsor castle originated in the mediaeval era and there are collections from may historical eras, however, there are rooms related to George IV and William IV. Windsor, Berkshire.

Museum of Costume of interest to Regency Authors and Fans

Museum of Costume - Many examples of male, female and children's period clothing, including royal examples, are displayed in room settings covering over a century of history. A Fashion Research Centre and Library are affiliated and located at 4, The Circus, within walking distance. If you know what you are looking for the staff might suggest where you might find it. Assembly Rooms, Bennett Street, Bath, Avon BA1 2QH

Mounted Police Museum

Mounted Branch Museum. The history of the force - from the beginning as London's Bow Street Patrol to the present day. Metropolitan Police Mounted Branch, Imber Court, East Molesey, Surrey, KT8 OBT.

Real Life and Writing

Every time my writing routine, including blogging, is going smoothly real life intervenes.  Anyway, I'm not going to complain so here is the next place of historical interest.

Metropolitan Police Thames Division Museum. The River Police were founded in 1798, and the museum illustrates their history with documents, uniforms, crime relics and a wide range of equipment. Wapping Police Station, 98 Wapping High Street, London E1 9NE

House of Regency Interest

Mellerstain House - One of the finest examples of Robert Adam's architecture, the house contains plasterwork, period library, furniture,needlework and art collection. Mellerstain, Gordon, Berwickshire TD3 6LG

Lilliput Museum of Antique Dolls and Toys

Lilliput Museum of Antique Dolls and Toys - Dolls form the 18th and 19th centuries are exhibited, including examples from Madame Augusta Montanari of London, active in the 1860's. High Street, Brading, Isle of Wight PO36 ODJ

Place of Regency Interest - Keats House

Keats House. The poet lived here from 1818 - 1820. The interiors are as they were when he lived there. Visitors can see books, letters, portraits and personal items. Wentworth Place, Keats Grove, Hampstead, London NW3 2RR.

New laptop.

Time to get a new laptop. The motherboard on my old one is unstable so as soon as I get the new one all the files must be transferred to it. I have saved all the important ones but there are some less important ones I risk losing. Deep sigh.

In the meantime, I've cut down on my blogging, e-mailing and writing as I find it uncomfortable to sit at the computer for as long as I work on the laptop.

Regency Place of Interest - Jane Austen's House.

Jane Austen's mother moved to Chawton with her daughters in 1809. The house contains many family items, including a large number of letters and documents/ Chawton, Hampshire, GU34 1SD

Although so many Jane Austen and Regency fans know about the house I decided it would be cheating not to mention it in my places of Regency Interest.