tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83860779724210657402024-03-19T08:37:31.267-04:00Historical HussiesFrom Ancient Rome to Victorian England, We Love HistoryDonna Hatchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05807169149057139718noreply@blogger.comBlogger599125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8386077972421065740.post-62273999797283928962023-10-27T03:30:00.171-04:002023-10-27T03:30:00.145-04:00All Hallow's Eve and Jack O'Lanterns<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0arGAjReUp1xLLSJkNt00Tju2WHXFBuHwHu_yYKApEQiez32yydDpesDaCEziZejroCVh19VE_B6ph0HUUuswIxDJP0kv1-n2Ts0VcNXmRZR6fsJXV6oP2V13hGp850oc31SIuVeZz-UbniG_fSXeY_c3pcbumW8vbEnuqk6z3q5chLPcYp-00xD5VuU/s750/Happy%20Halloween.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="750" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0arGAjReUp1xLLSJkNt00Tju2WHXFBuHwHu_yYKApEQiez32yydDpesDaCEziZejroCVh19VE_B6ph0HUUuswIxDJP0kv1-n2Ts0VcNXmRZR6fsJXV6oP2V13hGp850oc31SIuVeZz-UbniG_fSXeY_c3pcbumW8vbEnuqk6z3q5chLPcYp-00xD5VuU/s320/Happy%20Halloween.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><a href="http://www.donnahatch.com">by Donna Hatch</a><div><a href="http://www.donnahatch.com">www.donnahatch.com</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Halloween is even more popular than ever. In the United States, more Americans celebrate Halloween than Christmas. I have my own opinion on that, but really, what's not to love about love costumes, decorations, parties, and special treats?<p></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 10px;"> </span>Origin of Halloween -- All Hallow's Eve</h4><p style="text-align: left;">An ancient Celticic festival <a class="md-crosslink" data-show-preview="true" href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Samhain">Samhain</a> (a Gaelic word pronounced "SOW-en" or “SAH-win”) celebrated the end of summer's end, the harvest, and the new year, which, at the time, landed on November 1st. the Celts believed that during Samhain, the barrier between the living and the dead became thin enough that ghosts, monsters, and fairies walked the earth to steal souls. They also believed that ghosts of their ancestors could visit that night. The multi-day celebration included sacrifices, fires, dancing, drinking, and much revelry, as well as wearing disguises to hide from the souls wandering around. </p><div>
<p style="text-align: left;">Eventually, with the rise of Christianity, the Roman Catholic Church replaced Samhain with <a class="md-crosslink" data-show-preview="true" href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/All-Saints-Day">All Saints’ Day</a> or <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/All-Souls-Day-Christianity">All Soul's Day,</a> which celebrates the church’s saints on November 1. The day before All Saints' Day became All Hallows’ Eve. Many Samhain traditions have endured until today.</p>
<h4><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqaMM4GdYw_OHDBokK2yMaOrKpoIY8kkwyu0iVaD7eb1LObwtcwI7EllRudb1dd4A3SCFFfr8R2It0055z7qJkr3faFprhqLrO8_7k_1rVx2akkb-0AP0NJ0BbR6B7O7GGPLY10YW0qEMD1YtL289mrCP9EjSG9iYYeChX5j31gh8me4xgxYGu63NqQAM" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="149" data-original-width="312" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqaMM4GdYw_OHDBokK2yMaOrKpoIY8kkwyu0iVaD7eb1LObwtcwI7EllRudb1dd4A3SCFFfr8R2It0055z7qJkr3faFprhqLrO8_7k_1rVx2akkb-0AP0NJ0BbR6B7O7GGPLY10YW0qEMD1YtL289mrCP9EjSG9iYYeChX5j31gh8me4xgxYGu63NqQAM" width="320" /></a></div>Carved Jack O'Lanterns</h4><p style="text-align: left;">Ancient Celts invented Jack O'Lanterns. But since pumpkins are native to North America, so the Celts hollowed out and carved rutabagas, gourds, potatoes, beets, and even turnips. To make their faces glow, they put a candle or lit ember inside. These lit root vegetables guided their doorways to ward off evil spirits. </p><p>The Celts also left doors and windows open to welcome in the spirits of their ancestors and set out food for them because, of course, ghosts get hungry. And apparently, only wicked, non-family ghosts were frightened away by glowing veggie faces. To the right are a few examples of the faces that artistic carvers can make from turnips.</p><h4>Origin of the Name Jack O'Lantern<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjxNlziO_d7qoFJayVTnXjNn1mCKhPVVUd291lzxaJoS8qVoJOkVh9A9IgwStfRnfels0yzV7Y86BVKYCwB8FrnAuCdmJOi4BNL8ArDgybYLCN4uVp-6dQyfuO4St8DJTJk2kH-iVewVpZgzSdU6zA3qT6SCSSfeF4w9DVz64_ei8fpiyHMg94MU_wGnk/s8192/andy-holmes-x7Lf52NwMX4-unsplash%20(2).jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5464" data-original-width="8192" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjxNlziO_d7qoFJayVTnXjNn1mCKhPVVUd291lzxaJoS8qVoJOkVh9A9IgwStfRnfels0yzV7Y86BVKYCwB8FrnAuCdmJOi4BNL8ArDgybYLCN4uVp-6dQyfuO4St8DJTJk2kH-iVewVpZgzSdU6zA3qT6SCSSfeF4w9DVz64_ei8fpiyHMg94MU_wGnk/s320/andy-holmes-x7Lf52NwMX4-unsplash%20(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@andyjh07?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash">Andy Holmes</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/a-group-of-carved-pumpkins-sitting-on-top-of-a-table-x7Lf52NwMX4?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash">Unsplash</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></h4>
<p>Although historians aren't positive about how a lit, carved vegetable became known as Jack O'Lantern, there are two prevailing theories. </p><p>From about the 17th century, the term referred to a night watchman who carried a lantern and patrolled the streets to curtail crime. The British often called men whose names they didn't know by a common name like Jack. So, a nightwatchman whose name was unknown carrying a lantern was referred to as Jack with the Lantern or Jack of the Lantern or Jack O'Lantern.</p>
<p>The name's origin may have arisen from a legend about Stingy Jack who played tricks on the devil. As punishment, he was doomed to wander the earth as a spirit carrying a lit coal which he later put into a carved-out turnip. The story about Stingy Jack became a part of All Hallow's Eve and is often referenced when spooky, unexplained lights are sighted, sometimes called Spook Lights. </p>
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<h4>Modern Jack O' Lanterns</h4>
<p>Jack O'Lanterns today range from scary, to funny, to elegant to reflect the taste of the creator. So this Halloween spare a thought to your ancestors who have passed on. Who knows? They just might visit you.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CGL7H7CC" rel="attachment wp-att-6092" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" class="wp-image-6092 alignright" height="692" src="http://donnahatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/A-Ghost-of-a-Chance-blonde-FINAL.jpg" width="461" /></a>All Hallows Eve during Regency England, filled with ancient English customs, sets the scene for my newest short novel, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CGL7H7CC"><em><strong>A Ghost of a Chance.</strong></em></a></p>
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<h4><b>A lost soul searching for hope..</b>.</h4>
<p>After a devastating loss, a young lady throws herself into searching for her missing brother and taking solace in her musical composition. When a handsome and captivating stranger comes to town one All Hallows Eve, she dares to hope for more than her endlessly lonely existence.</p>
<h4><b>A tormented war hero seeking redemption...</b></h4>
<p>Unable to flee the memories of war, a retired cavalry captain spends his days helping the men who served under his command adjust to civilian life. Perhaps if he helps them all, he can atone for some of his past failures. When he stops for the night at a small English village celebrating All Hallows Eve, he meets an enchanting young lady unlike any other and suspects that what he needed all along was not only redemption but love.</p>
<h4><b>They must find the courage to take a leap of faith and choose love over fe</b>ar</h4>
<p>It will take faith and valor to overcome the barriers between their worlds and let go of their past heartaches. As they discover love and happiness neither had imagined, they will have to delve into the shadow world between life and death to beg for another chance from the Angel of Death.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CGL7H7CC"><em><strong>A Ghost of a Chance </strong></em></a>is available in ebook, Kindle Unlimited, and paperback. </p>
<p><span style="font-size: 10px;">Sources:</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 10px;">https://www.merriam-webster.com/wordplay/the-history-of-jack-o-lantern</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 10px;">https://www.history.com/news/history-of-the-jack-o-lantern-irish-origins</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 10px;">https://time.com/5419385/why-jack-o-lanterns-halloween/</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 10px;">https://www.britannica.com/story/why-do-we-carve-pumpkins-at-halloween</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 10px;">https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/countries-that-celebrate-halloween</span> </p>
<p><span style="font-size: 10px;"> https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/samhain#samhain-merges-with-halloween</span></p></div></div>Donna Hatchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05807169149057139718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8386077972421065740.post-44217755110354812882023-10-06T06:00:00.009-04:002023-10-06T06:00:00.143-04:00Regency Ladies Fashion: pantaloons -- did they or didn't they?<p><a href="http://donnahatch.com/the-great-regency-underwear-debate/stockings-and-getting-dressed/" rel="attachment wp-att-3995" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" class="alignleft wp-image-3995" height="229" src="http://donnahatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/stockings-and-getting-dressed-300x240.jpg" width="286" /></a> </p><p>I recently taught a workshop at a writer's conference on Regency Ladies Fashions. One attendee asked what ladies wore underneath their skirts. You should have heard the gasps when I told her, "Nothing." </p><p>Now is a good time to revise and cross-post about this somewhat controversial topic.</p><p>Historians, researchers, and authors agree that ladies wore a shift, or chemise, over which they laced up stays (a type of Regency corset but more comfortable), and then a petticoat, which was basically a long slip or jumper. We also know they wore stockings that tied or buckled. Our modern-day sensibilities insist that the ladies who lived during the time of Jane Austen's heroines must have worn something underneath all that, right?</p><p>Read on, dear reader.</p><h4>Drawers</h4><p>We know drawers existed by 1806 because merchants advertised and sold them. However, these merchants did not cater to the upper classes; their clientele was the working class. Some advertisements tried to bring them into fashion for the wealthy by listing them as being good for wearing while riding. However, they didn't understand the first rule of advertising: know your audience.</p><p>In 1811, Princess Charlotte wore them at least once, because she accidentally revealed them. However, many considered the garment shocking and openly criticized her for not only letting it show but wearing it at all.</p><p>Drawers and similar undergarments were a direct imitation of men's undergarments called "small clothes." As such, they were considered masculine and therefore vulgar for ladies. In addition, drawers had two entirely separate legs with strings that tied around the waist and left open in the middle. For decades, the only women who wore them were prostitutes. Ladies of high society wanted nothing to do with this kind of garment.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwUfZjFDG6RhQEHM0gUE7fTphcZr2stzkrUEKNIwvdcLSyThwiasaNscBFZVvbj2OIoqhhirPJY4Is5asAH2a6MrYWLtzAOlvIC7HjJVQAkOjh0BTWwaLLQ-Dqkc_fB4dH6TIYSYAco17y4k4boEvCK2TbJ7hdYnipivhYL8HtIaoJmd6LckdDeag4rbM/s200/pantaloons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="137" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwUfZjFDG6RhQEHM0gUE7fTphcZr2stzkrUEKNIwvdcLSyThwiasaNscBFZVvbj2OIoqhhirPJY4Is5asAH2a6MrYWLtzAOlvIC7HjJVQAkOjh0BTWwaLLQ-Dqkc_fB4dH6TIYSYAco17y4k4boEvCK2TbJ7hdYnipivhYL8HtIaoJmd6LckdDeag4rbM/s1600/pantaloons.jpg" width="137" /></a></div><br />In 1817, some fashionable ladies wore pantaloons, a longer, lace-edged variation of drawers that were meant to be seen below the petticoat. In <em>English Women's Clothing in the 19th Century</em>, by C Willet Cunnington, the author describes drawers as "frilled trousers" but goes on to state that the fashion disappeared almost immediately, adding, "On the whole however, it seems probable that most women did not wear any garment of this kind until the '30's" (meaning the 1830's).<p></p><p>Before you continue, I must warn you: the colored drawings below are a tad graphic, so please don't send me hate mail.</p><h4>Risqué Regency Era Cartoons</h4><p><a href="http://donnahatch.com/the-great-regency-underwear-debate/thomas-rowlandson-exhibition-stare-case-the-trustees-of-the-british-museum/" rel="attachment wp-att-3998" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-3998" height="300" src="http://donnahatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Thomas-Rowlandson-Exhibition-Stare-Case-The-Trustees-of-the-British-Museum-195x300.jpg" width="195" /></a>The lack of any garment underneath ladies' skirts was such common knowledge that even social and political cartoons of the day reflected this. Thomas Rowlandson, a famous illustrator and cartoonist, created watercolors of soldiers, wars, death and dying, the hunt, several humorous series, as well as some rather erotic pieces. I have not included those in this post. You're welcome.</p><p>One of Rowlandson's pieces is called Exhibition Stare Case (pictured to the left). In this image, several people are tumbling down the stairs. Three of them are misfortunate ladies, positioned with their legs up, revealing naked thighs and bums. This suggests ladies did not wear drawers or pantaloons.</p><p><a href="http://donnahatch.com/the-great-regency-underwear-debate/luxury-or-the-comforts-of-a-rumpford/" rel="attachment wp-att-3993" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-3993" height="300" src="http://donnahatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/luxury-or-the-comforts-of-a-rumpford-220x300.jpg" width="220" /></a>Other satirical cartoons by different cartoonists including Cruikshank and Gilray show pictures of women falling off horses or, in the case of the picture to the right, warming themselves in front of a fire. In all these drawings, women are wearing nothing underneath their skirts except stockings and shoes. (Don't you love the fat cat lying in front of her as if it has just expired?)</p><p>Obviously, back then, as today, political cartoons are only loosely based on fact. They're supposed to be absurd. However, so many of them reveal (no pun intended) the lack of ladies' undergarments that the combination begins to present a strong case against the practice, at least among the wealthier classes.</p><p><a href="http://donnahatch.com/the-great-regency-underwear-debate/lacing-corset-ea9b47ed9a8a403309bb051342cd2c14-georgian-era-regency-era/" rel="attachment wp-att-3992" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="alignleft wp-image-3992" height="248" src="http://donnahatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Lacing-corset-ea9b47ed9a8a403309bb051342cd2c14-georgian-era-regency-era-231x300.jpg" width="191" /></a>Another period drawing that addresses this is called "Progress of the Toilet." It's a set of three images published by James Gillray in 1810. His drawings are well-known to ridicule many practices of the Regency Era. Several of his creations mock the fashions of the period which dictated how the shapes of women should be altered to meet current standards of beauty.</p><p>The image to the left shows a woman wearing drawers. It is difficult to see, but she's wearing a chemise -- you can see the sleeves and the edge around the top of her stays -- which seems to be tucked into her drawers. The stays appear to be from earlier in the century when ladies wore Georgian stays, as evidenced by the little tabs on the bottom of the stays. But I digress. It's also possible the cartoonist showed drawers to further ridicule the complicated process of dressing for the day and even perhaps to poke fun at the drawers themselves. Unfortunately, I was unable to determine the exact date of the image. One source said this series was created in 1810 but I have not been able to verify that. I find it more likely that it was around 1817 during that blip when drawers were popular.</p><h4>Pantaloons</h4><p><a href="http://donnahatch.com/the-great-regency-underwear-debate/ball-dress-1814-v11-ackermanns-fashion-plate-11/" rel="attachment wp-att-4004" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-4004" height="300" src="http://donnahatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Ball-Dress-1814-v11-Ackermanns-fashion-plate-11-183x300.jpg" width="183" /></a>In the 1820s, which was the Victorian Era, long pantaloons (also called pantaletes) arrived on the scene with more popularity. The term can be confusing because men wore pantaloons -- silk breeches that went to the knee -- for formal occasions until well into the 1820s until trousers became mainstream fashion.</p><p>None of my books of Regency fashion prints show drawers or anything of the kind peeping out from underneath skirts -- not even those labeled "walking dress," "carriage dress," or "riding habit."</p><h4>Conclusion</h4><p>While some historians stubbornly claim that women wore drawers, there is too much proof to the contrary. I suspect that just as today some men and women don't always wear underwear, there were those ladies during the Regency while most did not. Our modern-day sensibilities might make the idea of not wearing underwear sound a tad obscene. Just remember, they had far different viewpoints about a great many things during the Regency.</p><p><span style="font-size: 12px;">Sources:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px;">English Women's Clothing in the Nineteenth Century by C. Willet Cunningham</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px;">Fashions in the Era of Jane Austen by Jody Gayles</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px;">http://www.janeausten.co.uk/corsets-and-drawers-a-look-at-regency-underwear/</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px;">https://janeaustensworld.wordpress.com/2010/11/06/ladies-underdrawers-in-regency-times/</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px;"><a href="http://www.fashion-era.com/drawers-pants-combinations-knickers-fashion.htm">http://www.fashion-era.com/drawers-pants-combinations-knickers-fashion.htm</a></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px;"><a href="https://englishhistoryauthors.blogspot.com/2011/11/regemcy-era-ladys-prodigious-layers-of.html">https://englishhistoryauthors.blogspot.com/2011/11/regemcy-era-ladys-prodigious-layers-of.html</a></span></p><p>https://www.kristenkoster.com/a-primer-on-regency-era-womens-fashion/</p>Donna Hatchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05807169149057139718noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8386077972421065740.post-68420967687136469572022-09-07T00:05:00.001-04:002022-09-07T00:05:00.170-04:00Bathing in the Middle Ages by Jenna Jaxon<p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Last month I took a look at bathing and bathtubs in
the Regency period. This month I’m going backward in time to examine bathing
during the Middle Ages.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The first thing to affirm is that yes, people did bathe
during the Medieval period, using several different methods. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLRr6eSpQrdht-JmXfBLH10INQReXm4nVCHYDRB0D3HX1EvCAcMif94_to7g3xw5Vr0_3CGWT8LR566nxfJSFK1VywRrWCLOgAwVqvIU95OzQW6BOuNxMK4UcuVpbDasEAKqwtj69lk1nDX_4qWyAKv-C7kmwsb5Rb75PIbv8POeWvFH-D7HUdt7oH/s683/medieval-bath-3.webp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="683" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLRr6eSpQrdht-JmXfBLH10INQReXm4nVCHYDRB0D3HX1EvCAcMif94_to7g3xw5Vr0_3CGWT8LR566nxfJSFK1VywRrWCLOgAwVqvIU95OzQW6BOuNxMK4UcuVpbDasEAKqwtj69lk1nDX_4qWyAKv-C7kmwsb5Rb75PIbv8POeWvFH-D7HUdt7oH/s320/medieval-bath-3.webp" width="320" /></a></div><br />A lot depended on your status in life as to how often
you took a bath. The lowest classes who did manual labor likely bathed the
least. They would probably not have had the means or money to fetch buckets of
water, heat the water, and purchase a tub and then bathe in it. Such laborers
and the poorer people would have availed themselves of a dip in a pond, lake,
or stream during the warmer months. Otherwise, they may have taken wash pan
baths, washing as best they could during the colder months.<o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Middle class people may have had enough money to own a
tub and employ a servant to fetch and heat the water. They might also have had
the fees to go to public bath houses (a holdover from Roman times). These
houses were very popular but had a reputation for lewdness. The sexes weren’t
always separated, and prostitutes were known to frequent them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The nobility would have had a tub for the household to
use (perhaps more than one, depending on the</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7_CcGa4bRS6MNXE432lVFU7wooyNFwLyRgSXJGVV7hjwWAMVPOUJTi2x3cTUSNTyEyC88aLwcQZruOLI6gwIN54_KP03Ppn7-Sbb4dyMXkr8XEBgJFp8zkiUp5E8hF3TUAFBoeP6PsWrdVoyA53aiDL4yuxvPrjhUSi0wOLSnj35N5ahAD6-fsosr/s628/MIMI_76F21_015R-e1404071009369.webp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="628" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7_CcGa4bRS6MNXE432lVFU7wooyNFwLyRgSXJGVV7hjwWAMVPOUJTi2x3cTUSNTyEyC88aLwcQZruOLI6gwIN54_KP03Ppn7-Sbb4dyMXkr8XEBgJFp8zkiUp5E8hF3TUAFBoeP6PsWrdVoyA53aiDL4yuxvPrjhUSi0wOLSnj35N5ahAD6-fsosr/s320/MIMI_76F21_015R-e1404071009369.webp" width="320" /></a></div><br /> size of the family). Tubs were a
status symbol for the wealthy. They would be lined with linen fabric to protect
tender skin from splinters if the tub was wooden, or to protect it from seams
if the tub was made of metal.<o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Royal households would certainly have availed
themselves of the bath. Documents show that Charlemagne loved taking baths and
not just alone. He’d invite relatives, guests, and sometimes servants and
attendants to bathe with him. King John of England took a bathtub with him when
he traveled.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQL0huDJng5g85U4-dRvf6iIomGDiE-KRqgWWkrfENI04cFQLQ0VkwYBbPmUsm1p6wTq_h25_dRw8WlfBFn-COK8MMhAArdC4CjHr9ngOR4MurShG4OASbTrBQWObdsMOEupf3Ka3t_5eO56DVgqhm7T2__BrWNXIqwoJzZsggCOCLacEw311Uret/s599/eleanors-tub.webp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="384" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQL0huDJng5g85U4-dRvf6iIomGDiE-KRqgWWkrfENI04cFQLQ0VkwYBbPmUsm1p6wTq_h25_dRw8WlfBFn-COK8MMhAArdC4CjHr9ngOR4MurShG4OASbTrBQWObdsMOEupf3Ka3t_5eO56DVgqhm7T2__BrWNXIqwoJzZsggCOCLacEw311Uret/s320/eleanors-tub.webp" width="205" /></a></div><br />One additional note of interest: men usually bathed naked while women wore a shift or chemise, whether for warmth or modesty is difficult to
tell.<o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So bathing, in all its various forms, was definitely a
large part of life during the Middle Ages.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Resources:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Chase, Loretta. “Queen Caroline Takes a Bath.” <i>Two
Nerdy History Girls</i>, July 11, 2011.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Did People in the Middle Ages Take Baths?”
Medievalists.net, April 2013.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Peardon, Keri. “Bathing in the Middle Ages.” <i>Vampires,
Ladies, and Potpourri</i>, June 14, 2012.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10308158251486924808noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8386077972421065740.post-48598106894238041672022-08-03T01:44:00.001-04:002022-08-03T01:44:44.577-04:00Bathtubs in Regency England by Jenna Jaxon<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">At the end of the 18<sup>th</sup> century, attitudes
toward bathing began to change. Beau Brummel, a Regency fashion plate, was an
advocate of bathing often and he was a major Regency “influencer.” About that
same time, in 1791, John Wesley gave a sermon “On Dress” in which he made the acclamation,
“Cleanliness is next to Godliness.” People took these and other ideas on
cleanliness into consideration, making the Regency period of transitioning into
good bathing habits.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZuJ6PCjyEiCHku590vU583foH_jXCk4duoZf-QqHW3D6mTBzvFz3T3q60RebZ5xa0eXZMHkXddVoONqX2Iw6Qa8pV1DZG34yM--Sjhbct6gaFLkcv7iUAFBzyNWAerf5E4o_k34cTK4YENh6igFFYjBlzCGRPh8P6kdG9Y50H-nwLBLb4-uwVbELb/s640/basin%20and%20ewer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="504" data-original-width="640" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZuJ6PCjyEiCHku590vU583foH_jXCk4duoZf-QqHW3D6mTBzvFz3T3q60RebZ5xa0eXZMHkXddVoONqX2Iw6Qa8pV1DZG34yM--Sjhbct6gaFLkcv7iUAFBzyNWAerf5E4o_k34cTK4YENh6igFFYjBlzCGRPh8P6kdG9Y50H-nwLBLb4-uwVbELb/s320/basin%20and%20ewer.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Basin and Ewer</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Actual bathtubs seem to have been rare and in the
lower classes--all but non-existent. Instead, they used a basin and <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a ball of soap to clean themselves, rather
than an immersion, although in summer lakes and ponds served as natural
bathtubs. For the middle classes, the basin and ewer were also standard
equipment, although the wealthier families who could afford a bathtub would
likely have one of metal or wood.<o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The aristocracy would have certainly had bathtubs,<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh600qYzZFmsCp-fOnB2s6oVFQiQ_vaZbPBssgvZLGIiQhFwJHhj3Fd57Hpwtdrx2eh6kLpOVm7eG_rlXwEtVa1sweznwlHsZMy05qX0H4Md44OJSd_ZinqjHOAkiVdzNbZuUMo2QI2vnOod3HTZ2wEuezXi_6sDB-c89ZxRJgxn-fvNbQc1H3v0FJM/s800/Shower%20Bath,%20Scarborough%201813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="548" data-original-width="800" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh600qYzZFmsCp-fOnB2s6oVFQiQ_vaZbPBssgvZLGIiQhFwJHhj3Fd57Hpwtdrx2eh6kLpOVm7eG_rlXwEtVa1sweznwlHsZMy05qX0H4Md44OJSd_ZinqjHOAkiVdzNbZuUMo2QI2vnOod3HTZ2wEuezXi_6sDB-c89ZxRJgxn-fvNbQc1H3v0FJM/s320/Shower%20Bath,%20Scarborough%201813.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shower-Bath at Scarborough</td></tr></tbody></table><br />
again of copper or wood, that could be set up in a chamber (often a bed
chamber), filled by servants who would lug water from a well outside, into the
kitchen to be heated, then lugged upstairs and poured into the bathtub. Little
wonder none but the wealthiest could afford such a luxury. The tub was usually
lined with linen fabric, to keep the bather from getting splinters from a
wooden tub or keep from sticking to the surface of a metal tub. Water was often
left near the fireplace to warm the water when it cooled or for rinsing off at
the end of the bath.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPga4Sp26Ma8Wx1C0eLF4lg8L2tgwS2r3QV1rxB80GAd9VukU7s0K7zmvWtZmT01D9ciXKw3KQnYjrZ0jxEDycwQ3iqa81XrzUTO7PJlCdnvIBkwdv-XJerp5KR7bFaMk684TSLElzF56nLWnI6krVVTR5_RDDGl2mLiVOAtM1PyXi2f-DJ_Zeg1e8/s564/REGENCY%20BATHTUB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="423" data-original-width="564" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPga4Sp26Ma8Wx1C0eLF4lg8L2tgwS2r3QV1rxB80GAd9VukU7s0K7zmvWtZmT01D9ciXKw3KQnYjrZ0jxEDycwQ3iqa81XrzUTO7PJlCdnvIBkwdv-XJerp5KR7bFaMk684TSLElzF56nLWnI6krVVTR5_RDDGl2mLiVOAtM1PyXi2f-DJ_Zeg1e8/s320/REGENCY%20BATHTUB.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Regency metal bathtub</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Some members of the Regency upper classes actually
possessed showers. The contraption was first noted around 1810, “around 12 feet
high…a fancy bathing apparatus…[a] pump lifted water from tank<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWyyh4XPttSfmGyvut2Ea_cExUmU1Eo9mDhXWzck6aj_mUvt8IpY0M4eqXULfNf10aINyJOn4AkYBpVu7FTSylbxywY_fcxxHfhJJUTSCgVb3aenzrLlqvWaXKvhZx0nAOyJNMIMtvM3Nm8syvbbFmhAMG8wumCOfGk2FLaU0VQMoFTq__oZXfQHIj/s592/regency-shower-1810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="592" data-original-width="379" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWyyh4XPttSfmGyvut2Ea_cExUmU1Eo9mDhXWzck6aj_mUvt8IpY0M4eqXULfNf10aINyJOn4AkYBpVu7FTSylbxywY_fcxxHfhJJUTSCgVb3aenzrLlqvWaXKvhZx0nAOyJNMIMtvM3Nm8syvbbFmhAMG8wumCOfGk2FLaU0VQMoFTq__oZXfQHIj/s320/regency-shower-1810.jpg" width="205" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Regency Shower</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> at bottom
through pipe to top tank, water could be used over and over again,” according
to <i>Life Magazine</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So during the Regency, people were beginning to take
the business of cleanliness much more seriously and began to change their
bathing habits accordingly.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">RESOURCES:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Bourne, Joanna. “Keeping It Clean—Georgian and Regency
Bathing Customs.” WordWenches Blog, August 3, 2011.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Chase, Loretta. “Taking a Shower in the 1800s.” Two
Nerdy History Girls Blog, June 22, 2015.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Lahildin. “Staying Clean in Regency England.” October
17, 2014.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Life Magazine.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Vic. “A 19<sup>th</sup> Century Regency Era Shower.”
Jane Austen’s World, November 11, 2010.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10308158251486924808noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8386077972421065740.post-41428967901854632972022-05-04T00:30:00.001-04:002022-05-04T00:30:00.180-04:00Joust in Time by Jenna Jaxon<p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Knights on horseback racing full tilt toward each
other with lances fixed may be the most iconic image most of us have of the
Medieval period, and for good reason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jousting was one of the most popular and dramatic entertainments people
of all classes could enjoy at a time when life was uncertain.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ544PUk_U-04qqgfXUyUbZPuiq8tI9Z3LmpNUXOSqSKrG69BUvqxjy5-aGK28lsAVFSzj2lCAtRjuYGHmETMnPAJAdFc8g8meF8cWaaTBcsOp3jp9Xq-QLmPDk2dSiGmT36fsrwCT6Uxe7k47oPE-gOnV2M-z5GhiLaH75gUgwPwkvbxTr3GhwBOn/s719/Joust,_from_Thournier,_Kampff_unnd_Ritterspiel,_1550.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="719" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ544PUk_U-04qqgfXUyUbZPuiq8tI9Z3LmpNUXOSqSKrG69BUvqxjy5-aGK28lsAVFSzj2lCAtRjuYGHmETMnPAJAdFc8g8meF8cWaaTBcsOp3jp9Xq-QLmPDk2dSiGmT36fsrwCT6Uxe7k47oPE-gOnV2M-z5GhiLaH75gUgwPwkvbxTr3GhwBOn/s320/Joust,_from_Thournier,_Kampff_unnd_Ritterspiel,_1550.svg.png" width="285" /></a></div><br />Jousts were usually part of a tournament, held by
royalty usually during the summer months of the year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were major events where knights were
pitted against each other for honor, for glory, and for prize money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They may had had their roots in Roman games
at the Coliseum.<o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9oDTL_LYLTBzki7NNn2WHKo1FljVT4x5HUGOH05TfZKQTLzuk6idBc2pWjTLNGAjtgEOqdVVtr51XPdK50wunmkWPvQe6zQiLD9QIKrC81kUAFJLPD201r6MGvPz0DYXMfSfXT9FI5tom5n4lbgk_yuQmtv40ZybKO3fvynwMvu3k-L-5eyz2XQ6q/s640/640px-Jousting_Hollola.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="430" data-original-width="640" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9oDTL_LYLTBzki7NNn2WHKo1FljVT4x5HUGOH05TfZKQTLzuk6idBc2pWjTLNGAjtgEOqdVVtr51XPdK50wunmkWPvQe6zQiLD9QIKrC81kUAFJLPD201r6MGvPz0DYXMfSfXT9FI5tom5n4lbgk_yuQmtv40ZybKO3fvynwMvu3k-L-5eyz2XQ6q/s320/640px-Jousting_Hollola.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />On the opening day of a tournament, which may have
lasted from 3 to 5 days, there was a formal procession out to the lists (the
barriers that defined the field of combat).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This procession could be quite elaborate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my medieval romance <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Time Enough to Love</i>, the knights and their ladies are dressed in
costumes as members of King Arthur’s Round Table and it was a great honor to be
chosen to ride. I modeled this procession after an actual procession in which
25 ladies on horseback rode beside their knights who walked to the lists (at
least a couple of miles) in full armor while tethered to the ladies by silver
chains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>King Edward III, at whose court
the major action of the first half of the book takes place, had in fact given a
grand tournament in 1344, which gave me the idea for one in my book.<o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Once on the field, the spectators were seated in a
grandstand called a berfrois, built a story above the lists. Knights were
assigned to brightly colored tents called pavilions, where they rested, waited,
and donned their armor, with assistance from their squire, in preparation for
the joust.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a side note, the armor
typically worn weighed about 60 pounds, but was so well-articulated that the
combatants had much more mobility than we would believe.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGwCCGBP4TIZGhc515Rcc0VK6WfMnDTxQz_W_DYZETC0rMS-mGTKEDDdZZhfOJK1pPkt9TT2xj6XO5QeHWJFPvakCQMobOgDi2vfepuwoVsUWT94kKf8cIwakchvtmjc2iyYeAOja85h9MegsD0HCYT_qXHtr1f73z02AP430AAU1IIdJlFGLkg0HM/s848/FALLEN%20KNIGHT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="565" data-original-width="848" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGwCCGBP4TIZGhc515Rcc0VK6WfMnDTxQz_W_DYZETC0rMS-mGTKEDDdZZhfOJK1pPkt9TT2xj6XO5QeHWJFPvakCQMobOgDi2vfepuwoVsUWT94kKf8cIwakchvtmjc2iyYeAOja85h9MegsD0HCYT_qXHtr1f73z02AP430AAU1IIdJlFGLkg0HM/w322-h213/FALLEN%20KNIGHT.jpg" width="322" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />The horses used by knights were a special breed,
called destriers, who could manage the great weight of knight and armor and
still maneuver on the field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The horses
were draped with a cloth called a comparison that covered them from nose to
tail, designed in the knight’s colors and emblazoned with his heraldic design.<o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Of course, as with any contact sport, the potential
for injury and death in jousting was great. The most famous death occurred when
King Henry II of France was killed when a lance broke on his helmet and a
wooden splinter pierced his eye and brain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Oddly enough, the almost exact same thing happened in January 2011 when
a jousting re-enactor was killed when a lance splintered on his helmet and a
large piece of it pierced his eye and brain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">With such a rich heritage of jousting, is it any
wonder that I incorporated a joust and as many details of it as possible into <i>Time
Enough to Love</i>?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll find the
procession—which becomes a serious conflict in the first part of the book—the
joust itself, and a stunning injury that threatens the happiness of the hero
and heroine.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If you love the color and pageantry of the Middle
Ages, you’ll love <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Time Enough to Love</i>.</span><span style="color: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10308158251486924808noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8386077972421065740.post-51879857987687902562022-04-06T04:57:00.000-04:002022-04-06T04:57:35.492-04:00Hard Day's Knight by Jenna Jaxon<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My medieval novel, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Time
Enough to Love</i>, is the story of knights in the service of King Edward III
of England.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Knights are perhaps the
iconic image most readers have of the period. The men didn’t, however, spring
fully ready at birth for this way of life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There were years of training and hard work that went into becoming a
knight.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFu1FsifFvACTSaIxxUtNGmbXFvZdybF4iWcejnIEHHzcDs-f6z0iQu3okAqifD1Wc_dT9de01xmXhxDgHNfgpDvxQCiTjQI3WywcVHnzQY9QAspjx2vf_s1cCz2G3wFw8ZMT0hW5czcJNUozW1mqF0YzfaZqzxaxpBJkzRN0IbXa8DndTzkU2RJqL/s848/KNIGHT%20ON%20HORSE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="848" data-original-width="565" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFu1FsifFvACTSaIxxUtNGmbXFvZdybF4iWcejnIEHHzcDs-f6z0iQu3okAqifD1Wc_dT9de01xmXhxDgHNfgpDvxQCiTjQI3WywcVHnzQY9QAspjx2vf_s1cCz2G3wFw8ZMT0hW5czcJNUozW1mqF0YzfaZqzxaxpBJkzRN0IbXa8DndTzkU2RJqL/w162-h243/KNIGHT%20ON%20HORSE.jpg" width="162" /></a></div><br />After the fall of the Roman Empire, old Roman families
became rulers of their own land holds, usually a castle and a certain amount of
land. These lords depended on the strength of their retainers, arms-bearing men
who swore fealty them and lived within their households.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the beginning of the knightly social
class who became defined as warriors on horseback.<o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In return for their service, the lord would usually
give the knight a small parcel of land or fief, with authority over the
peasants who worked the land. This authority led to the knight’s elevation into
the ranks of the nobility.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Training to be a knight began actually at birth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Male children who were not destined for Holy
Orders, began learning at his parents’ home what is expected of a knight, good
manners, and the code of chivalry. Most knights came from noble families as the
training and equipping of a knight was expensive, but any free man could become
a knight. At age seven, the young boy would be taken to a different castle and
serve the liege lord as first a page and then by about age fourteen a squire. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Pages were considered boys while squires were young
men who had arrived at puberty. Growing up in the service of the lord, these
young men learned everything about becoming a knight from religion to manners
to practical experience. At age fourteen they rose in rank to squire and tended
to the knight directly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They gained
experience hawking and hunting by both watching and practicing these
skills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were also taught to use knightly
weapons such as the sword and the lance.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Usually at age twenty-one, although sometimes earlier,
the squire, after learning how to comport</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM0zrx8F1ZThwOtgLWK0G6GkaGZHDxXFA6fOc1lQ9SgwGgYGgCnO0Jkp3GI-3jsUIuhPr2d7sxZU38mt4O2luEWzuR8bc2miFIrQDqor7lqBc-uYZOGVRkwrkEfLR-vcUBruZCE7r9FiVBSMSa_PwVgT8KWyzAwyhO3rFySC5r69qwGAruspUUJn9C/s848/FALLEN%20KNIGHT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="565" data-original-width="848" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM0zrx8F1ZThwOtgLWK0G6GkaGZHDxXFA6fOc1lQ9SgwGgYGgCnO0Jkp3GI-3jsUIuhPr2d7sxZU38mt4O2luEWzuR8bc2miFIrQDqor7lqBc-uYZOGVRkwrkEfLR-vcUBruZCE7r9FiVBSMSa_PwVgT8KWyzAwyhO3rFySC5r69qwGAruspUUJn9C/w230-h153/FALLEN%20KNIGHT.jpg" width="230" /></a></div><br /> himself in both combat and chivalry, underwent
the ceremony of Knighthood, and was knighted by having a sword tapped on either
shoulder, and bidden, “Arise, Sir Knight.”<o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Knights as the warrior class adopted a set of
idealized behaviors known as chivalry to be followed both on and off the
battlefield.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These behaviors included
being a ferocious fighter, a devout Christian concerned with the well-being of
the weak and helpless, a charmer who loved to dance and flirt with ladies, and
a man who would allow no stain on his honor.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuL1rFEqhs2YJF_fHi2RoJoPZ8W9y4g1wjQKPeeLLMJaUhG3In2hFrevsYLqrWw3NKNXjCBjs2zwbFs8LYJ-K_-NodDDlpI48qLgiFkWHuuGE6W9SYbMW823s4MQkTRgR3JqjSzOQY7tbDSu8H5k11a00SHhosN6btEX78slLf6OUmuuo2iaJwVak7/s4256/KNIGHT%20WITH%20ROSE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2832" data-original-width="4256" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuL1rFEqhs2YJF_fHi2RoJoPZ8W9y4g1wjQKPeeLLMJaUhG3In2hFrevsYLqrWw3NKNXjCBjs2zwbFs8LYJ-K_-NodDDlpI48qLgiFkWHuuGE6W9SYbMW823s4MQkTRgR3JqjSzOQY7tbDSu8H5k11a00SHhosN6btEX78slLf6OUmuuo2iaJwVak7/w211-h141/KNIGHT%20WITH%20ROSE.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><br />Although there was no standard of chivalry to which
the knight was held, there did arise, in literature, a standard of sorts where
the treatment of noble women were concerned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A knight was expected to honor and serve his lady, whoever he might
choose her to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She could be the lady
of the castle where he received his training or a lady who he esteemed from
afar but never met or a lady he was destined to marry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whatever their relationship, the knight was
bound to do whatever the lady bid him do. Many stories of King Arthur and the
Round Table, especially those with Lancelot as the central figure, illustrate
this idea of devotion to the lady.<o:p></o:p><p></p>Jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10308158251486924808noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8386077972421065740.post-6317768653656667932022-03-02T01:38:00.000-05:002022-03-02T01:38:32.185-05:00Origins of St. Patrick’s Day by Jenna Jaxon<p>I seem to be writing about holidays all this year so far,
but I love everything Irish, so I can’t resist talking about St. Patrick’s Day!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwILF106v9MR9kxM9a_UtCmU_jWcdDfVeKW9Sl09qqscEfhti5VJRfjb7s30Y_b7fpWT6oePC2mZXH49_4OncNO6guxFgB-31Tkkl5Ph81WqiWQFEQQ1jORmrfP1JKiLUINbFicWu9YXKDcxQXtIhwsmaNVI5jx1oA4MxmLeyvSwcehIfqFhBa2XSZ=s863" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="863" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwILF106v9MR9kxM9a_UtCmU_jWcdDfVeKW9Sl09qqscEfhti5VJRfjb7s30Y_b7fpWT6oePC2mZXH49_4OncNO6guxFgB-31Tkkl5Ph81WqiWQFEQQ1jORmrfP1JKiLUINbFicWu9YXKDcxQXtIhwsmaNVI5jx1oA4MxmLeyvSwcehIfqFhBa2XSZ=s320" width="237" /></a></div><br />St. Patrick was a citizen of Roman Britain, born <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>on March 17, 387, who was kidnapped and
brought to Ireland at about the age of 14-15 as a slave to work as a shepherd.
After several years in captivity, Patrick escaped and fled back to Britain and
was reunited with his family. He became a Christian and entered the priesthood.
He was ordained a bishop and sent back to Ireland to preach the Gospel in a
land of Druids and pagans. In this he was very successful, converting thousands
in Ireland and establishing churches across the land. He wrote an autobiography
called <i>The Confessions</i> in which he wrote of his life and his love for
God. His only other writing is a <i>Letter to Coroticus</i>, a “denunciation of
British mistreatment of Irish Christians.”<o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Patrick was a humble, gentle man who preached and ministered
to the Irish for forty years, at last dying in Saul on March 17, 461. He is
buried in Down Cathedral, Downpatrick where, in 1990, a grave marker was
erected for him.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After his death, legends of Patrick’s miracles arose. First
of these was that he drove all the snakes out of</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjyJGghkdXBf5tx4_dvSSIZ7OODhz18KqC1VuGijV2_NC1-NkmPmebNKJD6aLwrikFcclNlvpuVkkyxoBTRddpA8LPZphYE_PBTqm0TQjVyClxY1DPFm1QCY0HQ4RBEHJZMalLBJTmUkAiOe5gpxZ3s7hdyg-bXiMbxENp5olnGbKljgBoHlovE7Xy5=s640" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="636" data-original-width="640" height="107" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjyJGghkdXBf5tx4_dvSSIZ7OODhz18KqC1VuGijV2_NC1-NkmPmebNKJD6aLwrikFcclNlvpuVkkyxoBTRddpA8LPZphYE_PBTqm0TQjVyClxY1DPFm1QCY0HQ4RBEHJZMalLBJTmUkAiOe5gpxZ3s7hdyg-bXiMbxENp5olnGbKljgBoHlovE7Xy5=w108-h107" width="108" /></a></div><br /> Ireland and into the sea.
Another is that he converted many people by explaining the concept of the Holy
Trinity (three persons in one God) using the three leaves of the shamrock
(three lobes on one stalk). He also claimed to have raised men from the dead
(33 to be exact).<o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Beginning around the 7<sup>th</sup> century, Catholics in
Ireland began venerating St. Patrick, although he was never formally canonized by
the Catholic Church. In the 1630 the Feast of St. Patrick was added to the
Catholic breviary or book of prayers. And by the end of the 17<sup>th</sup>
century, Irish Catholics were celebrating the Feast of St. Patrick on March 17
by wearing crosses, ribbons, or shamrocks to honor him and his teachings of
Christianity.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivMq7q4wjEpYWSDMbmyDi_TQwCKKwn2FGjYAUGni6VMt2WcUSU455Sjhq9g2Ysrltpp_MSApyFmppmZFHHtlhzqAh9UzQ9VbwymtzJa1bKwCJ4ggnFIqRPpBTEjzngPkSsIF6JL_q6RALgoaAIQQRqy67-UZoyNjAMJ4u3ukFhs4MbGxVNbPy-5rq6=s640" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="116" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivMq7q4wjEpYWSDMbmyDi_TQwCKKwn2FGjYAUGni6VMt2WcUSU455Sjhq9g2Ysrltpp_MSApyFmppmZFHHtlhzqAh9UzQ9VbwymtzJa1bKwCJ4ggnFIqRPpBTEjzngPkSsIF6JL_q6RALgoaAIQQRqy67-UZoyNjAMJ4u3ukFhs4MbGxVNbPy-5rq6=w173-h116" width="173" /></a></div><br />A small celebration of the day was first held in Boston,
Massachusette in 1737. The first major celebration of St. Patrick’s Day,
however, occurred in America, in New York in 1762 when Irish soldiers in the
British Army marched in a parade on March 17, playing instruments and wearing
their regimental colors proudly. <o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The color of St. Patrick, now traditionally green, was
originally blue. It changed because the color blue became associated with
English rule over Ireland and the color green became associated with rebellion,
one symbol of which was the shamrock.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Today’s celebrations include huge parades in New York,
Chicago, and Savannah. Chicago goes so far as</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEicMY2agb0no1ejLe4uGmpitf6uvTH-CP4zQEkJj7cNtJ7bojQQ0KcatV4LuQJyrxLlcJydehag4FHgR0rC83fHp73Zmp5iO5BruWQBHm28_B35jv8u4jk30BPkp5V8-YG3cdpgpKU1Gnh3aKVDKysaMa0-LZFyAKo3JIfCwxi7Hn1YReOELvOYHCmP=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="482" data-original-width="640" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEicMY2agb0no1ejLe4uGmpitf6uvTH-CP4zQEkJj7cNtJ7bojQQ0KcatV4LuQJyrxLlcJydehag4FHgR0rC83fHp73Zmp5iO5BruWQBHm28_B35jv8u4jk30BPkp5V8-YG3cdpgpKU1Gnh3aKVDKysaMa0-LZFyAKo3JIfCwxi7Hn1YReOELvOYHCmP=w214-h161" width="214" /></a></div><br /> to dye their river green for the
day. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7ixmZ1ENTlsbtrTns-P3I4Jsf9_ynA8ataQ9nM8kigq8o_nSy31sWfCOgT4GNTHdo31NpF3rJjLPAz-_nAkyXaqyEm-qEz1eXSDTwc_fNHcKLfcSX_wQkvXWbAsWqajx9M_b3JWSwhwBuUr5xuxjA0eto639zI715MjI-tFLyowftae-3gGkoLfk6=s640" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7ixmZ1ENTlsbtrTns-P3I4Jsf9_ynA8ataQ9nM8kigq8o_nSy31sWfCOgT4GNTHdo31NpF3rJjLPAz-_nAkyXaqyEm-qEz1eXSDTwc_fNHcKLfcSX_wQkvXWbAsWqajx9M_b3JWSwhwBuUr5xuxjA0eto639zI715MjI-tFLyowftae-3gGkoLfk6=w191-h191" width="191" /></a></div><br />Traditionally, in Ireland, Irish bacon, cabbage, and potatoes are served.
When thousands of Irish came to America in the 1850, they found the bacon in
America to be very different from their native bacon. But they found the corned
beef sold in delicatessens to be a cheap and delicious substitute, so today the
meal for St. Patrick’s Day is Corned Beef and Cabbage with potatoes. I serve it
(or at least eat it) every St. Patrick’s Day!<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">May the luck of the Irish be with you this March 17!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sources:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Catholic Online. “St. Patrick.” N.d.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">History.com. “History of St. Patrick’s Day.” March 16, 2021.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">History Extra. “A brief history of St. Patrick’s Day.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">O’Raifeartaigh, Tarlach. “St. Patrick: bishop and patron
saint of Ireland.” Brittanica. N.d.<o:p></o:p></p>Jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10308158251486924808noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8386077972421065740.post-31590574311537003832022-02-02T01:52:00.000-05:002022-02-02T01:52:37.169-05:00Victorian Valentines by Jenna Jaxon<p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">As with many things, the Victorians gave us most of the
traditions we use in our celebration of Valentine’s Day. The most prevalent
tradition, sending and receiving Valentine’s cards, can be laid at the doorstep
of a member of the British postal system, Rowland Hill, who came up with the
idea that letters or cards should be charged by their weight rather than by the
distance they traveled. Thus the penny post was born and mailing letters and
cards suddenly became affordable for all classes.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEik_WEJNbGYCVb_8lEo-xZdHBBV9l8lzS6zd3ICpUMpxAbQ6PDJEXHgldBZkhX8i33JFRR5l2aEy-lskcnAS3qJD6lkrZPFs8bcxeeltgeItUSq_RY1Tu8T-CFeumuXoqIIkFaYexE-7Nzi1wXc9DkWpjZRIV4FD929wNS9GB2oTGPezwnJmCLEtf4U=s800" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="800" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEik_WEJNbGYCVb_8lEo-xZdHBBV9l8lzS6zd3ICpUMpxAbQ6PDJEXHgldBZkhX8i33JFRR5l2aEy-lskcnAS3qJD6lkrZPFs8bcxeeltgeItUSq_RY1Tu8T-CFeumuXoqIIkFaYexE-7Nzi1wXc9DkWpjZRIV4FD929wNS9GB2oTGPezwnJmCLEtf4U=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The first penny stamp was created in 1840 and with it
the tradition of sending Valentine cards was born. By 1841 more than 400,000 Valentine
cards were sent in England; by 1870 the number had grown to 1.2 million.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Victorian Valentine’s Day cards were originally full
sheets of paper, decorated with pictures and messages, then folded and sealed
with wax in order to mail them. (Remember, envelopes did not come into practical
use until 1845 when they could be mass produced.) Victorians could purchase
ready-made cards or they could create their own.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgTCEr8M3cLFeQx7YD8fbvLxq0nLWuUnmZ_KYnhQn8TOh-H3zdSwOwEx0xBNTH-IpjL28su0ayALKUfHsqf8iFzJjeWoEMjP7BKCQ35BhL5CEXc8_1QJg2sR-KZSUrEVWz_2fPV4uuIB6cMNhM1iR5lWap9KUVYNwMM9fFK_6FK1TXAXS4p04rTNoCR=s1002" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1002" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgTCEr8M3cLFeQx7YD8fbvLxq0nLWuUnmZ_KYnhQn8TOh-H3zdSwOwEx0xBNTH-IpjL28su0ayALKUfHsqf8iFzJjeWoEMjP7BKCQ35BhL5CEXc8_1QJg2sR-KZSUrEVWz_2fPV4uuIB6cMNhM1iR5lWap9KUVYNwMM9fFK_6FK1TXAXS4p04rTNoCR=s320" width="255" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The DIY Valentine cards were made with different
materials that could be purchased at the stationer’s: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>paper, bits of mirror, seashells, lace, silk
or foil appliques, ribbons, seeds, and paste jewels, as well as ready made
sentiments like “Be Mine” or “True Love.” Ladies and gents would take the
materials home, assemble the cards, and send them out to arrive on Valentine’s
Day, February 14. They grew to be more and more elaborate as the century progressed.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Here are some pictures of Victorian Valentines:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgU60BJUtyNHOBem7rolE071LPZROT-ymjkRIUFlbIhY7FZxv_Hj1W2AVCGSyF-_O2v3sJi9fV66CtUjV1nyrXHl9IXALbUz8BmdapU7QLfC6-nFbnL8dQP8SHkFoaBOSJHYTq1iml-y09Y3wurVPwRgn9dGRBVVVC2x8sFZymCyYVh57UC37He7dL9=s940" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="940" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgU60BJUtyNHOBem7rolE071LPZROT-ymjkRIUFlbIhY7FZxv_Hj1W2AVCGSyF-_O2v3sJi9fV66CtUjV1nyrXHl9IXALbUz8BmdapU7QLfC6-nFbnL8dQP8SHkFoaBOSJHYTq1iml-y09Y3wurVPwRgn9dGRBVVVC2x8sFZymCyYVh57UC37He7dL9=s320" width="218" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHw7JSoghBAWD0ZPsmMl7EbYypj32udTScLiEe7p2v13lInJ90Mm3_eXt8TBbGBzIfZW15iRj5-J3vQIUekCI2RfUxN-txAAvMWAjid7WEToBvEwqXi-ekL-muhAvECJR5aEgWfl7izoZX3xK34Pp4w5dNGHoTVSgj71AOeNHF43Gn4d1ic5gT6S71=s895" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="895" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHw7JSoghBAWD0ZPsmMl7EbYypj32udTScLiEe7p2v13lInJ90Mm3_eXt8TBbGBzIfZW15iRj5-J3vQIUekCI2RfUxN-txAAvMWAjid7WEToBvEwqXi-ekL-muhAvECJR5aEgWfl7izoZX3xK34Pp4w5dNGHoTVSgj71AOeNHF43Gn4d1ic5gT6S71=s320" width="229" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqUQvQ4LFKl2NM673cQRm74jd_sEnlAknjXgfCPW5PL12xE96Tcs5eAOkeMICCgJFHC5rvnrf9EgEYP80HWfYxYvdD4rxr-50qJU0SNq_03HyS8s8HXnmw7TpN8h58d7JqSpUK1W6xa_cKgC_FR6Oy2xBSEXqc7IuYlKjnM3dTZXUpjvx-4bsgivZ4=s1020" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1020" data-original-width="719" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqUQvQ4LFKl2NM673cQRm74jd_sEnlAknjXgfCPW5PL12xE96Tcs5eAOkeMICCgJFHC5rvnrf9EgEYP80HWfYxYvdD4rxr-50qJU0SNq_03HyS8s8HXnmw7TpN8h58d7JqSpUK1W6xa_cKgC_FR6Oy2xBSEXqc7IuYlKjnM3dTZXUpjvx-4bsgivZ4=s320" width="226" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilX4bbmA4HJzc3nslaHBc5HqsB630pLSURSHyzQwsskC0G8qT6ghq0Yl08b8N0A3mJcVFaP998A2zpWNbwbYSKQSencZKEVfhuzWDEq6bpWzP7LYRVguMupGk3GRQWvZzfpH9sNQAgPghh-LuHLzgwvQ4FTrAYxVxVAiKdJFvR0cim3XQHAz1F8GT-=s1020" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1020" data-original-width="978" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilX4bbmA4HJzc3nslaHBc5HqsB630pLSURSHyzQwsskC0G8qT6ghq0Yl08b8N0A3mJcVFaP998A2zpWNbwbYSKQSencZKEVfhuzWDEq6bpWzP7LYRVguMupGk3GRQWvZzfpH9sNQAgPghh-LuHLzgwvQ4FTrAYxVxVAiKdJFvR0cim3XQHAz1F8GT-=s320" width="307" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I hope you have a very Happy Valentine’s Day!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">References:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">5-Minute History. “Valentine’s Day in the Victorian
Era.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Gilbert, Sarah. “Victorian Valentine’s Day cards—in pictures.”
The Guardian, February 13, 2014.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Letter Jackets. “The History of Envelopes.” July 14,
2016.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10308158251486924808noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8386077972421065740.post-32209071530833168212022-01-05T01:31:00.001-05:002022-02-23T15:04:48.479-05:00Gaming Clubs and Gaming Hells during the Regency Era by Jenna Jaxon<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhdy5AGtBBFbmC7Kiq1c2XKFR5LRT9Xw9l1vo6DmR0qtlwL5lI9J6--mQLMotxhcH1vCRP4iwZAAl97pzzPugmR-rqThE5UlJt577we3H-9jNEB6ExbKp4zicSyG6mYggoWGLSmh0oNKhd361V04Yq4vyuCLDUw0PfKNAoZ7OwtFbSgcTtL79eFvn1h=s1024" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="1024" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhdy5AGtBBFbmC7Kiq1c2XKFR5LRT9Xw9l1vo6DmR0qtlwL5lI9J6--mQLMotxhcH1vCRP4iwZAAl97pzzPugmR-rqThE5UlJt577we3H-9jNEB6ExbKp4zicSyG6mYggoWGLSmh0oNKhd361V04Yq4vyuCLDUw0PfKNAoZ7OwtFbSgcTtL79eFvn1h=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Readers of Regency romances will swiftly acknowledge
the frequency with which these historical novels have scenes set in gaming
clubs or gaming hells. The aristocracy, gentry, and common workers alike
enjoyed gambling and did it with some frequency during the period. It has been hypothesized
by Author Pitt in his master’s thesis on gambling during the Regency period,
that gambling, and wagers in particular, were a means of fighting boredom. So
there is little wonder that both gambling clubs and gambling hells were frequented
often by people of all walks of life in Regency London.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjEDD5Pp3YKB2QbR1ZzodvTpRXvKWFCuWX-tU7aGq3BHtIWf_xcWsTo4w7fgLdZeYS64OB1EocGR_HZ848DXilF1OsjQwAMtQMaIXrx9kss0KiYgnARXBRJzI7e2tjfILy69vy6_SqGYoU6UWkMtHrULgp-hQ5iXxl9kC90a0vja-Uoikq-O2_Yg-df=s500" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="351" data-original-width="500" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjEDD5Pp3YKB2QbR1ZzodvTpRXvKWFCuWX-tU7aGq3BHtIWf_xcWsTo4w7fgLdZeYS64OB1EocGR_HZ848DXilF1OsjQwAMtQMaIXrx9kss0KiYgnARXBRJzI7e2tjfILy69vy6_SqGYoU6UWkMtHrULgp-hQ5iXxl9kC90a0vja-Uoikq-O2_Yg-df=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br />Gaming clubs were establishments frequented by the
aristocracy, exclusive and with strict guidelines for behavior. The most
exclusive of the time were The Cocoa Tree, White’s, Brook’s, and Almack’s. They
were located in St. James and were considered the poshest of the gaming
establishments. These were called “golden hells” and catered to the upper crust.
These were in direct contrast to the gaming hells or “copper hells” patronized by
the lower classes. The “golden hells” were just as apt to use gambling and
outrageous wagers. The wagers were entered into a “betting book” so the
participants didn’t forget the terms and amounts wagered. One remarkable wager
found on the books states, “April 2nd, 1809. Mr. Howard bets Mr. Osbon Ten
guineas that Lord Folkestone does not marry Miss Taylor before this day twelve
month." <o:p></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Gaming hells were for the lower, less genteel
clientele. Their likes frequented clubs in a rougher part of London, which admitted
people of all walks and stations of life, and both genders in some cases.
Ladies were not allowed in the gambling establishments of the wealthy, as they
were considered gentlemen’s clubs and off limits to ladies.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEii7FhP8ugP6jOHXVEgWu3pkAMwJLHy5K4lYdoCgC8FDLlT9w03xW7CvEsZ1dg-GZbvzOr4-iAxviUcHs9DzNxe4DP6FqENFJbz4y56tNHHetu38YqF8YsE3WWF73wnywcs2qIQORrcJF7LYH_sIhiFWqk7N-5VfKv4E6v86ESrvrdovecStmrxDP2x=s500" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="500" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEii7FhP8ugP6jOHXVEgWu3pkAMwJLHy5K4lYdoCgC8FDLlT9w03xW7CvEsZ1dg-GZbvzOr4-iAxviUcHs9DzNxe4DP6FqENFJbz4y56tNHHetu38YqF8YsE3WWF73wnywcs2qIQORrcJF7LYH_sIhiFWqk7N-5VfKv4E6v86ESrvrdovecStmrxDP2x=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The types of games played were split down class lines
as well. The aristocratic clubs played card games that required some skill to
win, such as Whist (the forerunner of Bridge), piquet, Vignt-et-Un (which we
know as 21), and Faro. Gaming in the “copper hells” relied mostly on games of
chance, such as Hazard, a dice game that was an early form of Craps which
required no skill and lots of luck.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Next month I will follow this post on gambling in
general with a specific look at one of the more notorious gambling houses of
the later Regency period: Crockford’s.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">References:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Gaston, Diane. “Gambling in Regency England.” <i>Harlequin
EverAfter</i>, Feb. 14, 2011.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Pitt, Arthur. “A Study of Gamblers and Gaming Culture in
London, c. 1780-1844: emerging <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">strategic reasoning in a
culture of conspicuous consumption.” M.A. Thesis, August 2012.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Rees, Luke. “Gambling in London’s Most Ruinous
Gentlemen’s Clubs.” London’s Historians’ <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Blog, June 5, 2014.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Regency Reader. “Regency Hot Spots: Hells for Gaming Part
One.” September 17, 2009.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10308158251486924808noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8386077972421065740.post-15255084989756686272021-12-09T00:00:00.022-05:002021-12-09T00:00:00.179-05:00Traditional Victorian Christmas Dishes by Jenna Jaxon One of my favorite Christmas movies is the 1970 musical Scrooge with Albert Finney. The production values of the film are wonderful—as you watch it you truly feel transported into the Victorian London of Charles Dickens.
In one sequence Bob Cratchit is heading home, buying Christmas presents, food and drink for the family’s Christmas celebration the following Christmas Day. <div><br /></div><div>That journey has always fascinated me and made me think about how and what the Victorians ate at Christmas.
Depending on class and location, Christmas food traditions varied quite a bit, although there is also a lot of agreement on what should be eaten<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSfPsBXwX6Spl7zq3-oyXmkJaK9Fwd_fIi-2YxVULEzvj__wPtTG4ZxY2GK4-l1HvoBXY9kZ1z8Ejwv14RwfZ6gE7mIzOGM2hKgx-2VhGjC6lbuA5-_AeQqfyx4tZ-kHnxhgs_OhsiKoB5XLFNsG2-kmBkYt85XjqVj0a9-B3y9mK2Q2NwANMRDa9R=s640" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSfPsBXwX6Spl7zq3-oyXmkJaK9Fwd_fIi-2YxVULEzvj__wPtTG4ZxY2GK4-l1HvoBXY9kZ1z8Ejwv14RwfZ6gE7mIzOGM2hKgx-2VhGjC6lbuA5-_AeQqfyx4tZ-kHnxhgs_OhsiKoB5XLFNsG2-kmBkYt85XjqVj0a9-B3y9mK2Q2NwANMRDa9R=s320" width="320" /></a></div> for the holiday feast, generally the most meal extravagant of the year. The centerpiece was usually either a standing rib of beef with Yorkshire pudding in the households of the North, while the roasted goose with sage and onion stuffing graced the tables of the South.<div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifbZyw5y59RdvvruLU41woXrXIbh0EBi4a8GHcF9pu0tgRmZ1ebQtd0g6MWxJ_scbfE-yvZPlAN6Dl6Lw4jPRWnbQku-NtYa8em3nJEJmgrHJ5L3pCPtlLzhxPRyO6QGFM8I23D5quAMQwyHX5zPypY_M1sNVAMsi60uuBvLU86TJkpYS5GBNhZ-y8=s2048" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifbZyw5y59RdvvruLU41woXrXIbh0EBi4a8GHcF9pu0tgRmZ1ebQtd0g6MWxJ_scbfE-yvZPlAN6Dl6Lw4jPRWnbQku-NtYa8em3nJEJmgrHJ5L3pCPtlLzhxPRyO6QGFM8I23D5quAMQwyHX5zPypY_M1sNVAMsi60uuBvLU86TJkpYS5GBNhZ-y8=s2048" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifbZyw5y59RdvvruLU41woXrXIbh0EBi4a8GHcF9pu0tgRmZ1ebQtd0g6MWxJ_scbfE-yvZPlAN6Dl6Lw4jPRWnbQku-NtYa8em3nJEJmgrHJ5L3pCPtlLzhxPRyO6QGFM8I23D5quAMQwyHX5zPypY_M1sNVAMsi60uuBvLU86TJkpYS5GBNhZ-y8=s320" width="320" /></a></div>Another tradition was to serve a rum punch, apparently a favorite Christmastide ritual for Charles Dickens. The making of the punch was quite a production, and Dickens would explain each step to his guests as they watched the punch being concocted. The drink is made in a large fire-proof punch bowl, where you combine lemon peel and sugar, dark rum and cognac, stir well, then take a spoonful of the mixture and light it on fire and return to the punch bowl to set it alight. Dickens would then lift out fiery lemon peels for the guests to admire. Afterwards, the flames are extinguished by a metal tray placed over the punch bowl. Nutmeg was then grated over the punch and ladled out to the guests. </div><div><br /></div><div>And last but not least was the Christmas or Plum pudding. Traditionally, this pudding was begun on the Sunday before the beginning of Advent, called Stir-up Sunday. If the household was to have good luck, the Christmas pudding must be begun on this day and left to ripen until Christmas Day. God’s blessing would only be bestowed on those who started their puddings on this day. For good fortune, the entire household should help with stirring the pudding with a wooden spoon and only clockwise and only East to West to honor the journey of the three kings. Once all the ingredients are assembled—raisins, currants, sultanas, dates, citrus peel, almonds, spices, cake crumb or breadcrumbs, brown sugar, butter, brandy or tum, and stout—the pudding is boiled or steamed for six hours, then removed from the pudding basin and wrapped with foil and a pudding cloth. It is then aged for about two months. On Christmas Day it is boiled for another four hours, then unmolded onto a platter. A ladle of brandy is heated then poured over the pudding and set alight for a dazzling desert.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_uG-Q5pov7kbPXAdz3XaszEgJJiHACT18LQ0bgjXdbWsI7R0i9wq4zC5OvuenHBtTmepwJgmk5faFhON0mS0QIdnn3570HWMU4Ss0fl-im6IJrXypdCfYSkTBC-FaEjSIgoLKwSOMwDG4a-HtWtoKUAWx2rJr0biVw3bMWH5lveYlrwEwG4aruyh3=s2048" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1364" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_uG-Q5pov7kbPXAdz3XaszEgJJiHACT18LQ0bgjXdbWsI7R0i9wq4zC5OvuenHBtTmepwJgmk5faFhON0mS0QIdnn3570HWMU4Ss0fl-im6IJrXypdCfYSkTBC-FaEjSIgoLKwSOMwDG4a-HtWtoKUAWx2rJr0biVw3bMWH5lveYlrwEwG4aruyh3=s320" width="320" /></a></div>
There are many other traditional foods the Victorians ate at Christmas, but I thought these three would give a good idea of how the Victorian chose to celebrate the Season with fabulous food. </div><div><br /></div><div>I sincerely hope everyone has a warm and wonderful holiday season with your own special traditions and food. </div><div><br /></div><div>Sources: </div><div><br /></div><div>Burns-Booth, Karen. “Stir-Up Sunday, Traditions and My Traditional Victorian Christmas
Pudding <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>Recipe.” Lavender and Lovage: Food and Travel from Home and Abroad,
November 24, 2012.</div><div><br /></div><div>Graham, Colleen. “English Christmas Punch.” The Spruce Eats Newsletter. May 13, 2021. </div><div><br /></div><div>Wondrich, David. “Holiday Punch—Plus a Cozy Fire.” Esquire, December 11, 2012.</div></div>Jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10308158251486924808noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8386077972421065740.post-20905403984307661012021-12-03T02:00:00.048-05:002021-12-03T02:00:00.171-05:00Traditional Regency Christmas<p>by Donna Hatch</p><p>www.donnahatch.com</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7lPLNWvLGjnzbBjN9T9dnTr4KAn7j_s2RdWSz2yYQklgTgm3sCzK7Kt2DqA5rLdUEPEhTyAqDns5z4zHquzhyphenhyphenvdz3A1UcI_gAiSizUvhM39TrLildpR4Z9yekL083i1l3x8V_CVMAf0s/s257/Victorian+christmas-tree-and-girl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="257" data-original-width="196" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7lPLNWvLGjnzbBjN9T9dnTr4KAn7j_s2RdWSz2yYQklgTgm3sCzK7Kt2DqA5rLdUEPEhTyAqDns5z4zHquzhyphenhyphenvdz3A1UcI_gAiSizUvhM39TrLildpR4Z9yekL083i1l3x8V_CVMAf0s/s0/Victorian+christmas-tree-and-girl.jpg" width="196" /></a></div><br />There's nothing quite
like the glimmer of a Christmas tree, brightly wrapped packages, and a yule log
burning in the fire to invoke wonder and excitement. But you may be surprised
to know that many Christmas traditions are quite new--at least in England. Many
English Christmas customs we think are ancient actually sprang up as early as
the Victorian Era.<o:p></o:p><p></p><p>Regency Christmas traditions varied widely from region to region and even
family to family. Generally, the upper classes of Regency England didn't treat
Christmas as a special day beyond a church service and the exchange of small,
mostly hand-made gifts within the family. Ordinary household items such as pen
wipers and fire spills seem to have been common gifts, as well. The middle
classes made a bigger event out of Christmas than their so-called
"betters." Lucky them!<o:p></o:p></p><p>The reason why Christmas became so understated is largely due to Thomas
Cromwell, who served as Chief Minister during the reign of King Henry VIII.
Cromwell and his cronies virtually stamped out Christmas celebrations due to
their origins—pagan licentious superstitions which often resulted in drunken
brawls and even vandalism. Although I seldom approve of the destruction of any
holiday, I can’t really blame him for his disapproval of that sort of
misbehavior. <o:p></o:p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWP8Ez6qaH9wQNlJVQvWyy_2vdHTJ2MCws0nw4IaKdhM7sQcxqR6bsseixgUxy8AwttOrwx6nOGnPy0D8vdjOV_mq5yREZ8HDgFQf8jUT-Xa5qYnbGQTZGMzzAnkhOeQtkZNbIUylxc8k/s2048/Victorian+Christmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1534" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWP8Ez6qaH9wQNlJVQvWyy_2vdHTJ2MCws0nw4IaKdhM7sQcxqR6bsseixgUxy8AwttOrwx6nOGnPy0D8vdjOV_mq5yREZ8HDgFQf8jUT-Xa5qYnbGQTZGMzzAnkhOeQtkZNbIUylxc8k/s320/Victorian+Christmas.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Fortunately, the Restoration revived Old Christmas into a new, toned-down
version of its former bawdy revelry to one of quiet worship and time together
with family. During the Regency, more and more celebratory customs cropped up.
I suspect many families had practiced some of those customs all along secretly.
Yorkshire is an area that seemed to hold on the most tightly to the Old
Christmas traditions and enjoyed them openly when it became acceptable.<o:p></o:p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibpZOZnYFV3AyAnalInZqR0c1tPAML3ZLQ0K2V5UMkYXRJf1QTZw3B1YAuuZgRBN6lxdSHCc17l7CJxWgZdyQ7Ue5MM3uUi-RmYUhZsL_M2ZvbbWFQwXbrYVKJ6_0Hbr0T9E-u15CypYI/s2048/mistletoe+ball.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1763" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibpZOZnYFV3AyAnalInZqR0c1tPAML3ZLQ0K2V5UMkYXRJf1QTZw3B1YAuuZgRBN6lxdSHCc17l7CJxWgZdyQ7Ue5MM3uUi-RmYUhZsL_M2ZvbbWFQwXbrYVKJ6_0Hbr0T9E-u15CypYI/w159-h150/mistletoe+ball.jpg" width="159" /></a></div><br />While researching English Christmas customs, I found journal entries and
letters describing family events at the Big House, many of which I incorporated
into my newest novel, <em>Christmas Secrets</em>. I exercised my creative
license to have the local tradition include a ball at the Great House,
gathering greenery including a mistletoe "kissing ball," the Yule
Log, and singing carols, along with other fun aspects of the season on
Christmas Eve.<o:p></o:p><p></p><p>Largely thanks to Queen Victoria's husband bringing his German traditions
with him to England, which spread to the United States, Victorian Christmas
customs grew into the ‘traditional’ Christmas we all know and love, complete
with carolers, a wider variety of gifts and recipients, Yule logs, Christmas
puddings, cards, Christmas trees, many of the carols we sing today.<o:p></o:p></p><p>Travel in winter in England during the Regency was extremely hazardous,
therefore it was rarely done. By in large, Christmas house parties had to wait
until railroads made winter journeys more feasible, which happened after 1840.
Of course, I and every other author I have read largely ignore this, although
in some of my Christmas stories, I mention people not wishing to travel far due
to the weather.<o:p></o:p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2DuLRIwFfFoZHtdYcpiGRA-i4FTF02m_u2cgl1zHGmn96M05C_QhykEI6hpF4hmZqSYN3piYyo3bLF_uBURm9WzIZKFlIqMJauu_dBM-QCrip4rb0IK7lNEb3v_pc0-gAaKiMQM7z3II/s576/Victorian-Christmas-image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="576" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2DuLRIwFfFoZHtdYcpiGRA-i4FTF02m_u2cgl1zHGmn96M05C_QhykEI6hpF4hmZqSYN3piYyo3bLF_uBURm9WzIZKFlIqMJauu_dBM-QCrip4rb0IK7lNEb3v_pc0-gAaKiMQM7z3II/s320/Victorian-Christmas-image.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />An odd custom that does date back centuries is telling scary ghost stories.
This age-old tradition dates so far back that I couldn’t find its true origin.
Aside from the traditional Christmas story, <i>A Christmas Carol</i>, I’m happy
that telling ghost stories is no longer part of most family Christmas customs.
Can you imagine getting a child to bed who is both excited about Santa’s presents
<i>and</i> frightened of ghosts? Now that is scary!<o:p></o:p><p></p><p>In the mood for a little holiday romance? Check out my Christmas novel, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076B6Z7GZ"><strong><i>Christmas Secrets</i></strong>,</a>
which features a ghost, and kiss, and a happily-ever-after.<o:p></o:p></p><p><strong><i><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 22.5pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXpRFYkTqmQvmU7gyRP0Wzor7wc1tDL1JnDKgH0Mr3x6n2Jg59GygRZOzISBzZaJDZwVJpNWpGvpXJ2P3XzjgO-NuufOXJqfMr21XesyKFdly7_MSv49cciW2v9kjZgyXSnhJ_XY4hYn0/s639/ChristmasSecrets_MedWeb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXpRFYkTqmQvmU7gyRP0Wzor7wc1tDL1JnDKgH0Mr3x6n2Jg59GygRZOzISBzZaJDZwVJpNWpGvpXJ2P3XzjgO-NuufOXJqfMr21XesyKFdly7_MSv49cciW2v9kjZgyXSnhJ_XY4hYn0/s320/ChristmasSecrets_MedWeb.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet Regency Christmas</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Christmas Secrets</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></u></i></strong></p><p>A stolen Christmas kiss leaves them bewildered and breathless.<o:p></o:p></p><p>A charming rogue-turned-vicar, Will wants to prove he left his rakish days
behind him, but an accidental kiss changes all his plans. His secret could
bring him together with the girl of his dreams...or divide them forever.<o:p></o:p></p><p>Holly has two Christmas wishes this year; to finally earn her mother's approval
by gaining the notice of a handsome earl, and to learn the identity of the
stranger who gave her a heart-shattering kiss...even if that stranger is the resident
Christmas ghost.<o:p></o:p></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076B6Z7GZ"><em><b><span style="text-decoration-line: none;">Christmas Secrets</span></b></em>
is available in both paperback and ebook on Amazon. Better yet, it's FREE on
Kindle Unlimited</a>!<o:p></o:p></p><p> <o:p></o:p></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Donna Hatchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05807169149057139718noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8386077972421065740.post-5778605544594514062021-11-03T12:46:00.005-04:002021-11-03T12:46:46.206-04:00Bound for Eternity: The Custom of Scottish Handfasting by Jenna Jaxon
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8J8RO1cLJUNn2osmWyhDZAEyerUNTCImLwMcro_qJiKqeIItOvPJPN7FQdaSnlG9GZZ7O3x5yB2ydvBlrVnBbGNA7lKheAaIY-QszJRLkb_8F4r-mG2q_REu9orevq4TNbNHeZGLA6XM/s2048/HANDFASTING.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8J8RO1cLJUNn2osmWyhDZAEyerUNTCImLwMcro_qJiKqeIItOvPJPN7FQdaSnlG9GZZ7O3x5yB2ydvBlrVnBbGNA7lKheAaIY-QszJRLkb_8F4r-mG2q_REu9orevq4TNbNHeZGLA6XM/s320/HANDFASTING.jpg"/></a></div>
Handfasting as a means of joining a man and a woman in marriage has been known in the Celtic world since ancient times. It is believed to be part of the heritage Scotland owes to the Danish culture, where “the Danes [had] the option of ‘hand-vesten’ to show their commitment. Then a woman who lived publicly with a man and prepared his meals for three years became his lawful spouse.”
Originally the handfasting ceremony was performed almost as a stop-gap measure, allowing the couple to live as man and wife for a year and a day as they waited for an official member of the clergy to arrive and bless the union in a regular marriage ceremony. Lacking a clergyman, the couple could swear their intention to marry, have their hands bound (preferably before witnesses), and they would be considered married.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ZclVohbJSi3WP6RZR37o6k-oOUntvErxWsp8tnthuwdDFVyDHOBKuuQFR98tuGgW3wWdiM2hdVplW11l3i5MfsXHmj78lzKuUAJTwXtRekpVy-zKkpOosqiXJHdIEGY6CzdONpNJIWs/s640/Thomas_Stothard_-_Frieze_of_a_Medieval_Wedding_-_B1977.14.5596_-_Yale_Center_for_British_Art.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="234" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ZclVohbJSi3WP6RZR37o6k-oOUntvErxWsp8tnthuwdDFVyDHOBKuuQFR98tuGgW3wWdiM2hdVplW11l3i5MfsXHmj78lzKuUAJTwXtRekpVy-zKkpOosqiXJHdIEGY6CzdONpNJIWs/s320/Thomas_Stothard_-_Frieze_of_a_Medieval_Wedding_-_B1977.14.5596_-_Yale_Center_for_British_Art.jpg"/></a></div>The tradition of handfasting was a medieval form of marriage in use until the mid- 1700s, when it fell out of favor. Until then, the Roman Catholic Church, and somewhat later the Scottish Protestant Church, allowed that if a couple said the words, “I take you to be my wedded wife,” (present tense) or “I will take you to be my wedded wife,” (future tense). The couple’s right hands were bound with a strip of cloth, signifying that they were bound for eternity. If this ceremony was followed by sexual intercourse, the couple was considered married both in the eyes of the Church and the State. There need be no witnesses and no clergy present, although witnesses were encouraged.
Interestingly enough, during the Regency period in Scotland, handfasting was actually still a legal means of marriage. Although the church changed its laws to ban the ritual, the civil law allowing handfasting as legal remained on the books until 1939 when the marriage laws were reformed by the Marriage Act (Scotland) of 1939. After that, handfasting was no longer recognized as a legal form of marriage.
In my soon to be released romance novel, The Widow Wore Plaid, which is set in Scotland, I had to research the legalities and technicalities of a <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIuJ08IsQLnXSLlfHnhnm7vc-BVJI8a7yUascBwsATKmeiCQp2I6TCmSHHRuNH0Mc_r7cWq7eRWswGkW6FV1oFzQO5n9Rv-NnJo9X96D8n03sdLV3DLOb82Cus9dt28fGp5zj3S_Hz7uY/s1200/HANDFASTING.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIuJ08IsQLnXSLlfHnhnm7vc-BVJI8a7yUascBwsATKmeiCQp2I6TCmSHHRuNH0Mc_r7cWq7eRWswGkW6FV1oFzQO5n9Rv-NnJo9X96D8n03sdLV3DLOb82Cus9dt28fGp5zj3S_Hz7uY/s320/HANDFASTING.jpg"/></a></div>handfast marriage, as my hero and heroine consider the merits of it while under duress. The Widow Wore Plaid is currently on pre-order on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B091MJ1C8M">Amazon</a> and other e-book retailers.
Argyll-Bute Council. “Handfasting Ceremony.” 2018.
The Scotsman. “The Origins of Handfasting at Scottish Weddings—When Scots ‘married’ for a year and a day.” Feb. 14, 2019.
Jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10308158251486924808noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8386077972421065740.post-71032323447789881732021-10-15T03:30:00.001-04:002021-10-15T03:30:00.258-04:00<p><a href="http://donnahatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/1813-ackermann-regency-morning-dress1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="alignleft wp-image-262" height="300" src="http://donnahatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/1813-ackermann-regency-morning-dress1-210x300.jpg" style="margin: 10px;" title="regency-morning-dress" width="210" /></a> Early in my writing career, the best piece of writing advice I ever got—right behind “be persistent”—was “write what you love.” So I did. I wrote everything because I loved everything, but eventually settled on <strong>historical romance</strong>.</p>
<p><a href="http://donnahatch.com/historical-fiction-my-favorite-escape/" title="Donna Hatch-Author-Bio">I’ve always loved historical fiction</a>. As a child, I devoured <em>Anne of Green Gables</em>, <em>Little Women</em>, the <em>Little House</em> books, <em>The Secret Garden</em> and <em>A Little Princess</em>. Later I discovered <em>Jane Eyre</em>, the Jane Austen novels, and other historical classics. But again, I craved more romance. Fortunately for me, historical fiction was a hot market. The hard part was finding a book clean enough for me because I don’t like to read hot sex scenes. Once I discovered traditional Regency romances, which were generally very clean, sweet romances, I was in heaven. It was not to last, however.</p>
<p>Historical fiction's popularity waned, and for about a decade, sales across the board plummeted. Perhaps readers tired of hot, sexy romance novels referred to as “bodice rippers” and "clean and wholesome" romance novels had not yet become a category. Instead, they were termed Traditional Regencies, which enjoyed success for a while, but they, too, fell out of popularity. The worst blow came when I learned two major traditional Regency romance publishers closed their doors. The news broke my heart, not only because I loved reading them, but because I’d written a sweet, traditional Regency romance novel that I’d been hoping they’d publish. For a long time, people called historical romance—and Regency romance in particular—a “dead” market. Sob!</p>
<p><a href="http://donnahatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Reading_A_Book-by-painter-Ernst-Rudolph.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Reading_A_Book by painter Ernst Rudolph" class=" wp-image-955 alignright" height="215" src="http://donnahatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Reading_A_Book-by-painter-Ernst-Rudolph.jpg" style="margin: 10px;" width="161" /></a>Good news! Historical Romance novels, specifically <a href="http://donnahatch.com/regency-quiz-how-good-are-you/" title="Regency Quiz">Regency Romance</a> novels, have regained popularity. Sales are skyrocketing for all historical romance, both on the hotter side and those sweeter, more traditional romances such as what we expect from Jane Austen era novels or Georgette Heyer. Personally, I love a clean romance, and if it’s a clean historical romance—even better!</p>
<p>As a historical author, I had to wonder; why the return of the historical romance?</p>
<p>I think there are many reasons. One is with all the recent movies based on famous books such as all the Jane Austen's, <em>North and Sout</em>h with the dreamy Richard Armitage, and many other historical novel adaptations, especially Jane Austen adaptations, a whole new generation of fans have been converted to historical stories--historical romances in particular.</p>
<p><a href="http://donnahatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Regency-Lady-in-white.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-264" height="220" src="http://donnahatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Regency-Lady-in-white.jpg" style="margin: 10px;" title="Regency Lady in white" width="168" /></a>Another reason I believe historical romance novels have regained popularity is because most people read either to relax or escape (and escaping is part of relaxing, don’t you think?). We crave a true escape from the modern world with all our troubles that only a journey into new world can provide. Maybe it’s the fantasy element of vicariously living the life of the very rich, wearing beautiful gowns, having handsome heroes vie for our favor or even dueling over our honor.</p>
<p>In <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Regency" rel="noopener" target="_blank" title="Wikipedia">Regency England</a>, manners were very formal. There was a protocol to everything from how many sets a lady could dance with a gentleman in one evening (two), to what to wear while walking (a walking gown).</p>
<p>I love the way people in Regency England spoke so eloquently. They also prized wit and they excelled in using the understatement. As a historical author, I try to bring that out in every historical novel I write.</p>
<p><a href="http://donnahatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/regency-ball-drawing-room-2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-270" height="231" src="http://donnahatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/regency-ball-drawing-room-2-300x231.jpg" style="margin: 10px;" title="regency ball drawing room (2)" width="300" /></a>Regency men were civilized and treated women with courtesy. When a lady entered the room, gentlemen stood, doffed their hats, curtailed their language, offered an arm, bowed, and a hundred other little things I wish men still did today. But they were also very athletic; they hunted, raced, fenced, boxed, rode horses. They were manly. Strong. Noble. Resolute. Honorable. And that is why I love them!</p>
<p>I hope that historical romance is a here-to-stay market.</p>
<p>What do you love best about historical novels or historical romance? </p>
<p> </p>Donna Hatchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05807169149057139718noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8386077972421065740.post-56799904761536149892021-09-01T09:53:00.000-04:002021-09-01T09:53:06.741-04:00The Regency Swoon by Jenna JaxonOne trope or event found very often in period romances is “the swoon.” It is true ladies did faint with some frequency in the Georgian, Regency, and Victorian periods. In some cases tightly laced clothing is the culprit for these fainting fits, but there were other reasons for it as well.
The tightly laced corsets and heavy fabrics of the Georgian and Victorian periods almost assured that ladies would faint from the<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc13FEuKn9dZc8yLHO4lzl5xGIxSpl3fkFCwx8rhEqTSJlbypcTRIGq8vl7OgG3iv9CmMGnNkjGAMq9j2kKtAtcwZxQ-xKuJZR5DJPeGHFvXJAwhREgCtSlzXbyghPM-PjRq9QUvU1fqs/s900/Flacon_%25C3%25A0_sels_Mary_Gregory.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="644" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc13FEuKn9dZc8yLHO4lzl5xGIxSpl3fkFCwx8rhEqTSJlbypcTRIGq8vl7OgG3iv9CmMGnNkjGAMq9j2kKtAtcwZxQ-xKuJZR5DJPeGHFvXJAwhREgCtSlzXbyghPM-PjRq9QUvU1fqs/s320/Flacon_%25C3%25A0_sels_Mary_Gregory.jpg"/></a></div> sheer lack of oxygen at some point in her day. Regency ladies, however, enjoyed lighter fabrics and a very short demi-corset or stays that gave them closer to a natural experience as far as clothing was concerned. Still, Regency ladies still fainted regularly for a variety of reasons.
The actual medical condition associated with fainting is called Vasovagel syncope. It’s the nervous system’s reaction to great stress or some kind of emotional trigger. What happens is the heart rate slows, there’s a sudden drop in blood pressure, depriving the brain of oxygen and therefore triggering “the swoon.”
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfmPhwEELh_leUswUttzoq5FQ07l7WYtzXIV9iINGklY5M8RSHgdFtbG2NbqPTeqG1KC-hYfVMnpVmCxfpYIL4A7h07IT65hM8Hmq-EuQKiFEhPDcQA9QGMdZyzBSYxgXeXUDCwAQjvHI/s436/375px-Swiss_-_Vinaigrette_-_Walters_44706_-_Open.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="436" data-original-width="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfmPhwEELh_leUswUttzoq5FQ07l7WYtzXIV9iINGklY5M8RSHgdFtbG2NbqPTeqG1KC-hYfVMnpVmCxfpYIL4A7h07IT65hM8Hmq-EuQKiFEhPDcQA9QGMdZyzBSYxgXeXUDCwAQjvHI/s320/375px-Swiss_-_Vinaigrette_-_Walters_44706_-_Open.jpg"/></a></div>An attack of nerves or “the vapours” might be enough to make a lady swoon. Some ladies, wishing to be thought very delicate or sensitive (a popular quality during the Regency) would faint or pretend to faint to give the appearance of delicacy. This show of weakness was a prized quality by gentlemen, brought up to believe that women were the weaker sex and therefore could not bear such vulgarities as foul language, explicit talk (especially about sex or anything having to do with bodily functions), or even bad manners. In fact, so many ladies felt the need to swoon that a popular piece of furniture during the period was the fainting couch.
Every lady was forearmed against the possibility of an attack of the vapours with a small vial of smelling salts called a vinaigrette.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7abqBtIFH3_dg9u6ix2ad95GqulmQPxh-D0boPrKYlJTzVO8adyq2Bg75q-OQrSVRXs23Z_0kM11AKFW2jcFxIE3Xjm-FelNibUaRPizMqTwMLSFty4xeWHDjUpA5_JdmgY18wFQTddw/s1150/Silver_vinaigrette_in_the_shape_of_a_harp%252C_France%252C_1701-1800_Wellcome_L0058629.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="1150" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7abqBtIFH3_dg9u6ix2ad95GqulmQPxh-D0boPrKYlJTzVO8adyq2Bg75q-OQrSVRXs23Z_0kM11AKFW2jcFxIE3Xjm-FelNibUaRPizMqTwMLSFty4xeWHDjUpA5_JdmgY18wFQTddw/s320/Silver_vinaigrette_in_the_shape_of_a_harp%252C_France%252C_1701-1800_Wellcome_L0058629.jpg"/></a></div> These were small glass bottles or boxes, often with silver filigree coverings, that held sal volatile, one of several concoctions designed to jolt the fainter back to consciousness. Smelling salts could contain a mixture of ammonium carbonate and alcohol, or spirit of hartshorn (water and ammonia). By the Regency, a strong distilled vinegar with added essential oils like lavender, was the preferred potion used. The vinaigrette was held beneath the victim’s nose and the inhalation of the spirits would snap them back to consciousness.
In my recent release, <i>Almost a Countess</i>, my heroine, Dora Harper, uses her vinaigrette several times to revivie the hero, Lord Aberfoyle when he is injured. But the table turns when he also wields the smelling salts to revive her from their first kiss! You can find <i>Almost a Countess</i> on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08ZXWFKM8">Amazon</a>.
Sources:
Hewitt, D. G. “The 10 Do’s and Don’ts of Etiquette to Become a Lady in Regency England.” History
Collection, May 13, 2018.
Karsten, Susan. “Fainting in the Regency.” Vanessa Riley’s Regency Reflections, October 3, 2013.
Penrose, Andrea. “Why Do Regency Heroines Swoon?” Word Wenches, February 4, 2021.
Jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10308158251486924808noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8386077972421065740.post-86472648472872858532021-08-13T03:00:00.002-04:002021-08-14T14:41:20.031-04:00Regency Introductions, how to meet new people<div class="separator"><p style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img alt="" class="wp-image-5612" height="20" src="https://donnahatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Wilhelm_Schreuer_Im_Ballsaal-300x230.jpg" width="26" /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqj0WG6IUErqNSZrYS7rL06oA8hwFXh5NE7drKBLtSNibKVTuTsA0wJCh10OukKnQDHBwkKcybD06sMHMLJqEd7mC3vAqQV3eOxe1k-EPnPr3QMofROkdV2ZDBjKA2dC7uDZgJchyphenhyphenWU9k/s300/Wilhelm_Schreuer_Im_Ballsaal-300x230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="230" data-original-width="300" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqj0WG6IUErqNSZrYS7rL06oA8hwFXh5NE7drKBLtSNibKVTuTsA0wJCh10OukKnQDHBwkKcybD06sMHMLJqEd7mC3vAqQV3eOxe1k-EPnPr3QMofROkdV2ZDBjKA2dC7uDZgJchyphenhyphenWU9k/s0/Wilhelm_Schreuer_Im_Ballsaal-300x230.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /></div><p>by Donna Hatch</p><p><a href="http://www.donnahatch.com">www.donnahatch.com</a></p><!--wp:image {"id":5612,"align":"left","width":349,"height":267}-->
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<p>In our informal modern society, it’s socially acceptable to introduce ourselves to a stranger without needing a third person to get involved. Meeting someone new might start with a clever (or corny) pick up line or be as simple as saying, “Hi, my name is____.” We can be confident that the other person will tell us his or her name. And thus an acquaintance, or more, begins.</p>
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<p>During the Regency, an introduction was much more than just discovering someone’s name. If you’ve seen Austen or other historical adaptations on television or film or read them in books, you’re probably familiar with the concept of an introduction. When a lady catches a gentleman’s eye, he would ask a common acquaintance to introduce him to the heroine. If they were at a ball or a soiree, he would likely ask the hostess for the introduction. He would never simply present himself to her. The same goes for meeting anyone with whom one did not already have an association.</p>
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<p>In a formal social setting such as a ball, the introductions would be performed by a hostess, a patroness at Almack’s, or the Master of Ceremonies at an assembly room.</p>
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<p>If one allowed someone to present another person to him or her, one was accepting the relationship because an introduction was a sort of recommendation. If a hostess presented a gentleman to a lady, the hostess was, in essence, recommending him to the lady based on his character, rank, status, etc. Only after the introduction had been made could the relationship begin. </p>
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<p><strong>Basic Rules for Introductions
in the Regency:</strong></p>
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<ul><li>A gentleman is introduced to a lady, regardless of rank</li><li>A younger person is introduced to an older person, regardless of rank</li><li>If they are of the same gender and similar age, the lower-ranking person is introduced to the higher-ranking person</li><li>Everyone is introduced to royalty</li><li>One never introduces oneself to another person--one must be introduced by a mutual acquaintance</li></ul>
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<p>The lady or the higher-ranked person may decline the introduction. So, at a ball, a lady--or her chaperon--could refuse an introduction to someone whose acquaintance was considered undesirable. In all honesty, I have yet to encounter a written instance when someone rejects a request for a presentation, but it does leave a great deal for the imagination, doesn’t it? It could be so deliciously awkward! But keep in mind, such an act would probably snub the third party who asked to make to introduction.</p>
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<p>Though this is later in the century, Routledge’s Manual of Etiquette 1899 has great insight on this concept:</p>
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<p><em>To introduce persons who are mutually unknown is to undertake a serious responsibility, and to certify to each the respectability of the other. Never undertake this responsibility without in the first place asking yourself whether the persons are likely to be agreeable to each other; nor, in the second place, without ascertaining whether it will be acceptable to both parties to become acquainted.</em></p>
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<p>So, the third person should have given some thought as to whether this would be a mutually beneficial introduction. By accepting an introduction, the lady welcomes the relationship. </p>
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<p>However, balls are a different animal. This same guide makes this statement:</p>
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<p><em>At a ball, or evening party where there is dancing, the mistress of the house may introduce any gentleman to any lady without first asking the lady’s permission.</em></p>
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<p>This is probably because it is assumed that the hostess gave serious thought to her guest list, so she can safely assume if she accepts them all, they all ought to accept each other.</p>
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<p>Also, an introduction at a ball or assembly was not considered an introduction anywhere else but that particular event. If, however, the lady or the higher-ranking person first acknowledges the other in a different setting the next time they meet, then the first introduction can carry over as a non-event-specific introduction. I know, it seems odd and overly stuffy to us in these days, but the Regency era was a very different time. </p>
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<p>Once the introduction is made, the lady would be expected to make herself available to dance with the gentleman--unless she was not dancing at all or already promised the dance to another. </p>
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<p>When two gentlemen are being introduced, the person of the higher also has the option of accepting or rejecting. If he accepts, he’s basically accepting the other man’s association into his social circle.</p>
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<p><strong></strong></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXfl4j2BGR3I4C_9Re1QcDg4FZvYnBKDfMq0pcyxg8AI9FAk4U59o0MJGITTsp05860_-cEzaDzG-IkVuT222SicVv2gSC-1Yu43ZrSdBNyY0kneGBGDly0QQemfQUoKiIxzle0oa_GzI/s734/fannny+introduced+mr+crawford.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="734" data-original-width="557" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXfl4j2BGR3I4C_9Re1QcDg4FZvYnBKDfMq0pcyxg8AI9FAk4U59o0MJGITTsp05860_-cEzaDzG-IkVuT222SicVv2gSC-1Yu43ZrSdBNyY0kneGBGDly0QQemfQUoKiIxzle0oa_GzI/s320/fannny+introduced+mr+crawford.JPG" width="243" /></a></strong></div><strong><br />How it Wasn’t Done</strong><p></p>
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<p>Presenting oneself to another is a major social <em>faux pas</em>, as we see from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice (1813). When Mr. Collins proposed to introduce himself to Mr. Darcy, his superior in rank, Elizabeth is appropriately shocked, as evidence by her reaction:</p>
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<p><em>“You are not going to introduce yourself
to Mr Darcy!”</em></p>
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<p><em>“Indeed I am. I shall entreat his pardon
for not having done it earlier. I believe him to be Lady Catherine’s nephew. It
will be in my power to assure him that her ladyship was quite well yesterday
se’nnight.”</em></p>
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<p><em>Elizabeth tried hard to dissuade him from
such a scheme, assuring him that Mr Darcy would consider his addressing him
without introduction as an impertinent freedom, rather than a compliment to his
aunt; that it was not in the least necessary there should be any notice on
either side; and that if it were, it must belong to Mr Darcy, the superior in
consequence, to begin the acquaintance. </em></p>
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<p>Mr. Collins, of course, dismisses her advice. His presumption in addressing the lofty Mr. Darcy received an appropriate response:</p>
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<p><em>Mr Darcy was eyeing him with unrestrained
wonder, and when at last Mr Collins allowed him time to speak, replied with an
air of distant civility. Mr Collins, however, was not discouraged from speaking
again, and Mr Darcy’s contempt seemed abundantly increasing with the length of
his second speech, and at the end of it he only made him a slight bow, and
moved another way.</em></p>
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<p>This ill-mannered ruffian who was related to the Bennets no doubt added further proof that Elizabeth’s family was uncultured, contemptible, and therefore unworthy of Mr. Darcy’s notice.</p>
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<p>According to The Social Historian, Victorian Etiquette,</p>
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<p> <em>No gentleman should ask a lady to dance unless he has previously met her acquaintance. An introduction can be arranged through the Master of Ceremonies or through the lady of the house or a member of her family. Should a lady be approached by a man to whom she has not been introduced, she should reply that she would accept his invitation with pleasure if he would first procure an introduction. </em></p>
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<p><strong>How to Perform an
Introduction</strong></p>
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<p>Manners and Rules of Good
Society (1888) states:</p>
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<p><em>The correct formula in use when making introductions would be to say, ‘Mrs X – Lady Z,’ thus mentioning the name of the lady of lowest rank first, as she is the person introduced to the lady of highest rank. It would be unnecessary and vulgar to repeat the names of the two ladies in a reversed manner – thus, ‘Mrs X – Lady Z. Lady Z – Mrs X.’</em></p>
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<p>This makes sense because if a gentleman asked to be introduced to a young lady, it stands to reason that he’d already have gone to the trouble to inquire as to her name, and possibly has asked enough about her to decide if he desires to make her acquaintance.</p>
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<p>That being said, it is possible to introduce two people. Northanger Abbey (1817), gives an example of a two-way introduction:</p>
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<p><em>The young ladies were introduced to each
other, Miss Tilney expressing a proper sense of such goodness, Miss Morland
with the real delicacy of a generous mind making light of the obligation.</em></p>
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<p>Perhaps, then, it depends on the situation. If adults are introducing their children to each other in the hopes that a friendship, or more, might result, there would be a two-way introduction such as “Oliva, dear, please meet Miss Rose Jones, the youngest daughter of our newest neighbor, Mr. Jones. Miss Jones, this is my eldest daughter, Olivia.”</p>
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<p>Imagine a handsome lord sees a lovely lady across a crowded ballroom. Intrigued, he asks his hostess who she is. Upon learning a little about her, and more determined than ever to make her acquaintance, he begs to be introduced to this vision who has piqued his interest. </p>
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<p>The introduction would be something like, “Miss Palmer, I'm pleased to introduce Lord Amesbury.”</p>
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<p>One look into her eyes changes him forever.</p>
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<p>And their story begins…</p>
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<p>References: </p>
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<p><a href="https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Pocket_Book_of_Etiquette_The_Author.html?id=66VhAAAAcAAJ">The Pocket Book of Etiquette by Arthur Freeling</a></p>
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<p><a href="https://www.thesocialhistorian.com/victorian-etiquette/#:~:text=Victorian%20ladies%20should%20consider%20the,lady%20for%20her%20permission%20first.">The Social Historian, Victorian Etiquette</a></p>
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<p><a href="https://londonbygaslight.wordpress.com/2011/08/25/victorian-gentlemen-and-ladies-introduction/">London by Gaslight</a></p>
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<p><a href="https://www.regencyhistory.net/2020/08/regency-introductions-guide.html">Regency introductions - a Regency History
guide by Rachel Knowles</a></p>
<!--/wp:paragraph-->Donna Hatchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05807169149057139718noreply@blogger.com43tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8386077972421065740.post-85402061327343701892021-07-07T08:24:00.002-04:002021-07-07T18:48:14.873-04:00Regency Parlor Games: Charades by Jenna Jaxon<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4jQMn_r_t7lo3rlATeln4IIqmxtNtHKDhtZUN2xmYyW_zDeATZ7fhfudKJG2dzSrfL_kcy8-aBzeqIxA8ovjuAKBk_4Ws6Db5dgvxx0qTT1AyQu5bVMH6X5jmmdv_WYlZmwFiWvGVUbA/s768/Charades_Vanity_fair.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="660" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4jQMn_r_t7lo3rlATeln4IIqmxtNtHKDhtZUN2xmYyW_zDeATZ7fhfudKJG2dzSrfL_kcy8-aBzeqIxA8ovjuAKBk_4Ws6Db5dgvxx0qTT1AyQu5bVMH6X5jmmdv_WYlZmwFiWvGVUbA/s320/Charades_Vanity_fair.jpg"/></a></div>
Although the first entertainment one usually thinks of when talking of the Regency period is usually a ball, musical evening, cards, or dance assembly, there were actually many other forms of amusement Regency men and women engaged in. When having an intimate night at home or at a house party with myriad guests, quite often parlor games were played with much gusto. These games included many that we are still familiar with, such as blind man’s bluff, twenty questions, hide and seek, snapdragon, and charades.<P>
Charades was invented in 16th century France and became very popular in Britain by the time of the Regency. Unlike our contemporary version, during the Regency the game wasn’t carried out in silence with contestants acting out the words of the answer. Instead, a riddle was spoken that gave clues to the syllables of a word then a description of the whole. And the whole thing had to rhyme.<P>
The first one to guess the charade won.<P>
Charades was a popular game with Jane Austen, both to play with her family and guests and as an entertainment for her characters in several of her novels.<P>
Some people created their own charades, but many were published in books and magazines so people could use them ready-made. Sometimes they were printed on ladies' fans, with the answer on the reverse side. Usually the charades are in three parts, the first denotes the first syllable, the second, the second syllable, and the third describes the whole word.<P>
Below are a couple of charades printed in the book Riddles, Charades, and Conundrums, complied by John Winter Jones in 1822.<P>
(1)<P>
My first, whatever be its hue,<P>
Will please, if full of spirit;<P>
My second critics love to do,<P>
And stupid authors merit.<P>
(2)<P>
My first a blessing sent to earth,<P>
Of plants and flowers to aid the birth;<P>
My second surely was design’d<P>
To hurl destruction on mankind:<P>
My whole a pledge from pardoning heaven,<P>
Of wrath appeas’d and crimes forgiven.<P>
<P>
In the Victorian period the game changed to include acting out the words without words (in Jane Eyre the company plays charades and acts out the word Bridewell in silence). And has continued on that way to the present day.<P>
<P>
Solutions:<P>
(1) Eye-lash<P>
(2) Rainbow<P>
Jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10308158251486924808noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8386077972421065740.post-89460292478971641752021-06-02T00:17:00.000-04:002021-06-02T00:17:53.785-04:00The Erotic Art of Thomas Rowlandson by Jenna Jaxon<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLWgS40l0ebauAcCeCxyuN_xw7HsjU5mQPDdMx2ACh8xZqgRdUvgqNFpd4jdMoUsz-iVHRBdaH6JGPGmCPUKjZ44PSo3KyMGH7-llJn3xKh5B4WbTnE6dy92unANwnBesz_sno_oQ-bL4/s300/rowlandson_-_stolen_kisses.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLWgS40l0ebauAcCeCxyuN_xw7HsjU5mQPDdMx2ACh8xZqgRdUvgqNFpd4jdMoUsz-iVHRBdaH6JGPGmCPUKjZ44PSo3KyMGH7-llJn3xKh5B4WbTnE6dy92unANwnBesz_sno_oQ-bL4/s320/rowlandson_-_stolen_kisses.jpg"/></a></div>The turn of the 19th century was quite a bit wilder and an extremely bawdy period as we approach the Regency period.
The 18th century had been time of great eroticism and overt sexuality. The book Fanny Hill had been published in 1732, one of the leading erotic novels of the day. Jack Harris (pen name of Samuel Derrick) published Harris's List of Covent Garden Ladies (prostitutes) that was a best seller for years.
And Thomas Rowlandson, a popular engraver and caricaturist in Georgian London, created a series of highly erotic engravings at the end of the century, reportedly for the Prince Regent.
Rowlandson, an orphan raised by his aunt, studied art in Paris and began to exhibit his work in London in the mid-1770s. He etched and<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7hvO8ropEZ3lofOW3HVwi3oDHqN_TrTAq4ECEf0o522eLCYyFuWGEvLMsYTYmqE_yltlLycc3xwqyCTvgdOZbbwW1SuKQNytyKkhQNbfJ4oN7pGlDw7wPPh3qvkv9vmR3cdc2P2IOLs/s298/thomas_rowlandson_8.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="298" data-original-width="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7hvO8ropEZ3lofOW3HVwi3oDHqN_TrTAq4ECEf0o522eLCYyFuWGEvLMsYTYmqE_yltlLycc3xwqyCTvgdOZbbwW1SuKQNytyKkhQNbfJ4oN7pGlDw7wPPh3qvkv9vmR3cdc2P2IOLs/s320/thomas_rowlandson_8.jpg"/></a></div> printed several series his works, such as Dr. Syntax's Tour and The Microcosm of London for which he gained much fame. He illustrated prominent authors' works of the period such as Smollett, Goldsmith, Sterne, and Swift. He worked primarily in pen and ink, with a watercolor wash, the delicate nature of his work contrasting sharply with the coarseness of his subjects.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAmWYT_FmoQPae6Uiz6QufYPPN6X13xVa6_psA_Gukj8RfqKefHsQQHnwPMXxRw3Eyt629m5Ht9wk0AkldL0mxkn5r_c_kCOx9vss-GRtMVTD5SyoSc2UTIZDud7BoHrcVMXYnw05BE6Y/s300/1024px-thomas_rowlandson_-_dr__syntax_with_kitty_cowslip_-_google_art_project.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAmWYT_FmoQPae6Uiz6QufYPPN6X13xVa6_psA_Gukj8RfqKefHsQQHnwPMXxRw3Eyt629m5Ht9wk0AkldL0mxkn5r_c_kCOx9vss-GRtMVTD5SyoSc2UTIZDud7BoHrcVMXYnw05BE6Y/s320/1024px-thomas_rowlandson_-_dr__syntax_with_kitty_cowslip_-_google_art_project.jpg"/></a></div>One of his most popular series depicted men and women in the most licentious poses imaginable. These were the ones done for the prince and that now are on display in the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum. (These three prints are the only ones not too bawdy to print!) But I chose some that I think will give you a feel for Rowlandson's works. These prints were so popular the original engraved plates were worn completely out with the printing of them.
Jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10308158251486924808noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8386077972421065740.post-71252592736339711342021-05-05T00:30:00.001-04:002021-05-05T00:30:00.191-04:00The Dress Act of 1746 by Jenna JaxonThanks to Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series, many readers of romance know about the Jacobite Rising of 1745 and how the Scottish<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaP2bfmCNdBm7rwvHkdQE3eeLJrpV5xHNsSs8vji_ikxqM_yKDxd2QwMoB1mTIkyGGUpZK0eulKzBTz2cS2ArPmisDoEKzuItv3NTAUPkpC7CcyrMcFWCQ2KHqsvUrlIfU4S8E4hE3lVE/s800/800px-The_Battle_of_Culloden.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="483" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaP2bfmCNdBm7rwvHkdQE3eeLJrpV5xHNsSs8vji_ikxqM_yKDxd2QwMoB1mTIkyGGUpZK0eulKzBTz2cS2ArPmisDoEKzuItv3NTAUPkpC7CcyrMcFWCQ2KHqsvUrlIfU4S8E4hE3lVE/s320/800px-The_Battle_of_Culloden.jpg"/></a></div> Highland clans were slaughtered on Culloden moor. This horrible defeat was only the beginning of the oppression suffered by the surviving clan members. As a subjugated people, the Scots were put under the yoke of British domination in many ways—taking their lands, burning, pillaging, taking their arms, and eventually taking away their most traditional form of dress.
Issued on August 1, 1747, the Dress Act of 1746 states that
“No Man or Boy, within that part of Great Britain called Scotland, other than such as shall be employed as Officers and Soldiers in His Majesty's Forces, shall, on any pretence whatsoever wear or put on the Clothes commonly called Highland Clothes (that is to say) the Plaid, Philabeg, or little Kilt, Trowse, Shoulder Belts, or any part whatsoever of what peculiarly belongs to the Highland Garb; and that no Tartan, or party-coloured Plaid or Stuff shall be used for Great Coats, or for Upper Coats;”
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-8Nm6PpqsDe7X0jUtx5e6C8ihy1F64ajEdo4w_I5tFWKjFtN-q6t5om5xygZuq0pw0OPwNPz5898XLnTPiqkOkvWEYk1GqO2OaeLm6nSZw0ehKAkFsK83yF_9PrgtV6t6L-qTh6YtaSs/s600/TARTAN.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-8Nm6PpqsDe7X0jUtx5e6C8ihy1F64ajEdo4w_I5tFWKjFtN-q6t5om5xygZuq0pw0OPwNPz5898XLnTPiqkOkvWEYk1GqO2OaeLm6nSZw0ehKAkFsK83yF_9PrgtV6t6L-qTh6YtaSs/s320/TARTAN.jpg"/></a></div>This Act, in one swoop, forbade the Highlanders from wearing not tartan plaid per se, but the garments that were usually made in tartan fabrics.
This law was aimed specifically at the Highlanders, but it also affected Lowlanders, many of whom had fought on the British side in the Rising and who also wore tartans and kilts. The only men who it excluded were those serving in the British Army.
The penalty for disobeying this law was severe:
“and if any such Person shall presume after the first day of August, to wear or put on the aforesaid Garments, or any part of them, every such Person so offending, being convicted thereof by the Oath of One or more credible Witness or Witnesses before any Court of Justiciary or any one or more Justices of the Peace for the Shire or Stewartry, or Judge Ordinary of the Place where such Offence shall be committed, shall suffer imprisonment, without Bail, during the space of Six Months, and no longer, and that being convicted for a second Offence before a Court of Justiciary, or at the Circuits, shall be liable to be transported to any of His Majesty's Plantations beyond the Seas, there to remain for the space of Seven Years."
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtwKqu2lR1OrNO7NfaS6ZJcGHxG7x0sRuNhT7SfEb1-u5cJWAM_TT9kaJGv9rQQwvKwdKbaA0uZzt_z8Sbq4pQ27XhnvXUHBN8MUX7nkEEb1gssTQhPQyVOzacD4-pWiYBZ1_EEWS_9qc/s500/belted_plaids.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtwKqu2lR1OrNO7NfaS6ZJcGHxG7x0sRuNhT7SfEb1-u5cJWAM_TT9kaJGv9rQQwvKwdKbaA0uZzt_z8Sbq4pQ27XhnvXUHBN8MUX7nkEEb1gssTQhPQyVOzacD4-pWiYBZ1_EEWS_9qc/s320/belted_plaids.jpg"/></a></div>As a result, many Highlanders and Lowlanders joined the Army in order to be able to be exempt from the Act.
There are, however, cases in which men were charged with wearing the kilt and tartan plaid and faced stiff consequences. In 1748 one young man in full Highlander dress drowned as he swam across a loch near Stathglass to avoid capture. A servant of Laird MacLean of Duart was arrested and imprisoned for six months for wearing Highland dress.
Finally, in 1782 the Dress Act was repealed, but it had done its job. The Highland dress had become strange to the Highlanders and therefore was not worn as it had once been, a symbol of Scottish autonomy.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGac-3KKJ0rZxD5RD53gpHk9wXMRTR2XcSkhyRAAhQZmZcOeq7P_SrY6PbJq2f10w02baxlHdfywk9qdWoVrZCEsIsGXcHm27bQhZBQL3g5DQ1-KVkIgAAOjOaf-ZAuYp3l-3bHP8g0vY/s2048/Almost+a+Countess+final.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGac-3KKJ0rZxD5RD53gpHk9wXMRTR2XcSkhyRAAhQZmZcOeq7P_SrY6PbJq2f10w02baxlHdfywk9qdWoVrZCEsIsGXcHm27bQhZBQL3g5DQ1-KVkIgAAOjOaf-ZAuYp3l-3bHP8g0vY/s320/Almost+a+Countess+final.jpg"/></a></div>The Dress Act and its consequences figure prominently in my current WIP <i>Almost a Countess</i>. The heroine helps a Scotsman who has been arrested for wearing a kilt. After that, things get rather complicated. You can read the first chapter, on Amazon as <i>A Solitary Ride</i> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B093YG731H/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i7">here</a>.
Jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10308158251486924808noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8386077972421065740.post-90538965912979551732021-04-07T11:04:00.000-04:002021-04-07T11:04:12.781-04:00Unmentionables: A Brief History of Underwear by Jenna JaxonUnderwear, garments worn underneath outer garments, has been in existence for thousands of years. The first form was the simple loincloth that covered men’s genitals, in evidence 7,000 years ago. In fact, more than this simple undergarment was deemed unnecessary by most people until the Middle Ages.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYY37YHukQIHzwYlrK8W3AyUw_vDSo_YFrTVUwJPUCRJRTdqi5VO72OkC7ghrylwQmm4gpkoHK3Xmk3f0IVxIWjeBtDSsJSKVNe0A_hIb454vHItc1GcOlw7u13jEHxl2kpe9FuQHA1A8/s322/CHAUSSES.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" data-original-height="322" data-original-width="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYY37YHukQIHzwYlrK8W3AyUw_vDSo_YFrTVUwJPUCRJRTdqi5VO72OkC7ghrylwQmm4gpkoHK3Xmk3f0IVxIWjeBtDSsJSKVNe0A_hIb454vHItc1GcOlw7u13jEHxl2kpe9FuQHA1A8/s200/CHAUSSES.jpg"/></a></div>By the Medieval period, men’s clothing had changed and men acquired several new undergarments. Braies were a loose fitting pant-like garment that men stepped into, then tied at the waist and around the calves. Wealthier men wore chausses, worn only on the legs and again tied at the waist. These were eventually replaced by hose that in the Renaissance were adorned with a codpiece, a pouch covering the genitals that was also meant to accentuate that area.
What we would deem women’s underwear does not come on the scene until the Renaissance. Previously women would have worn a chemise,<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl6r7bNqd4jjkLLEjnbL12FtdfBjUnpDX19zQfjjHj3o1lSukBF5rXgtvHBR1Z_3wRLDHiBPgORQ9kDPh_YxbDeS5mddBzU4bE_wGxM7xzycuHoC-k3IDfVa-ZV1dOMKj4W4Im_I5ZVDY/s440/CHEMISE.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="200" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl6r7bNqd4jjkLLEjnbL12FtdfBjUnpDX19zQfjjHj3o1lSukBF5rXgtvHBR1Z_3wRLDHiBPgORQ9kDPh_YxbDeS5mddBzU4bE_wGxM7xzycuHoC-k3IDfVa-ZV1dOMKj4W4Im_I5ZVDY/s200/CHEMISE.jpg"/></a></div> a shirt-like garment made of linen worn next to the skin that could be laundered easier than the costly silk and velvet outer garments. At this time women also acquired stays, a garment of linen stiffened with buckram, whalebone, reeds or canes that flattened their breasts.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgimoYmnFqHDrapwr_r4oONdic9KYkBNuZScDORIG8eEUmb89ciHxuXgxbuc2c42_QWNIRn-_lbB3uRjQR4gRtjhXPRf4TxDFTdvd_zBZg_6PNfmVSAsYqXQCg651Xw3I1o4N7Q9tZn9Lk/s340/STAYS+1.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="200" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgimoYmnFqHDrapwr_r4oONdic9KYkBNuZScDORIG8eEUmb89ciHxuXgxbuc2c42_QWNIRn-_lbB3uRjQR4gRtjhXPRf4TxDFTdvd_zBZg_6PNfmVSAsYqXQCg651Xw3I1o4N7Q9tZn9Lk/s200/STAYS+1.jpg"/></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPr28Fmr3LId-sdH60q_biBC_y-Htwb709KshJS32YQwswKPrJDPRLuCkIkwZPvPWBg0dEJDW00Ps8aTx-m70IeiP_Hzj5UhOC2HosjyYkzgDjPv0S91DKTgTFfweBzdeGewFALiA0GFU/s500/STAYS+2.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPr28Fmr3LId-sdH60q_biBC_y-Htwb709KshJS32YQwswKPrJDPRLuCkIkwZPvPWBg0dEJDW00Ps8aTx-m70IeiP_Hzj5UhOC2HosjyYkzgDjPv0S91DKTgTFfweBzdeGewFALiA0GFU/s200/STAYS+2.jpg"/></a></div>In the 18th and 19th centuries, stays changed to be more lightly boned and were called corsets. In the Regency period they were more relaxed, less constricting. By the Victorian era, when a wasp waist was the cornerstone of beauty, they became extremely constrictive. Corsets remained the major women’s undergarment until the 20th century when the liberty bodice gave them more freedom.
In the 19th century, women also acquired pantalettes or pantaloons, crotchless underwear designed to hide the legs and provide <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8LeOFNGH5xRt-t9IHgJLT_LhnegA6iEbw-79sxDnipQZ_zWSPaFMQAJL-EIbgPQL-Gb1XBlKKnCkqR2mHhrIqz-357KECgCtDSEouig9dv1wHFI9p2Gr3BMxsvuH4-qiTxqA3Qa-RdHc/s1170/PANTALETTES.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" data-original-height="1170" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8LeOFNGH5xRt-t9IHgJLT_LhnegA6iEbw-79sxDnipQZ_zWSPaFMQAJL-EIbgPQL-Gb1XBlKKnCkqR2mHhrIqz-357KECgCtDSEouig9dv1wHFI9p2Gr3BMxsvuH4-qiTxqA3Qa-RdHc/s200/PANTALETTES.jpg"/></a></div>warmth under the huge bell-shaped gowns of the period.
The modern brassiere was invented in 1913 by Mary Phelps Jacob and caught on during World War I when metal for boning corsets was in short supply.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQOWTH6LtLx_ujuT5tTVBPmKycvw4Mw5H6c-qz2xtU79ZZ0y-lFoJibc6DREGo8bCemvFXGLgZ30MLwnZsf2r1yZvZ-2jwhn0t4wN_-C7EFv3_N3qTm9d2Nte8y_5t-deCI8rexQqHsHE/s427/MODERN+BRA+1910.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="200" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQOWTH6LtLx_ujuT5tTVBPmKycvw4Mw5H6c-qz2xtU79ZZ0y-lFoJibc6DREGo8bCemvFXGLgZ30MLwnZsf2r1yZvZ-2jwhn0t4wN_-C7EFv3_N3qTm9d2Nte8y_5t-deCI8rexQqHsHE/s200/MODERN+BRA+1910.jpg"/></a></div>
Men and women’s underwear changed constantly during the 20th century as the garments became increasingly more comfortable due to new fabrics. Modern underwear came about largely in the 1930s. Men’s briefs and boxer shorts, women’s girdle and bra all became popular in the 30s. By the 1960s and 70s underwear was touted for its sex appeal rather than its durability. Current popular items include the G-string and thong for women and boxer briefs for men.
Jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10308158251486924808noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8386077972421065740.post-76874139477908866502021-03-03T00:00:00.001-05:002021-03-03T00:00:05.713-05:0018th Century Medicine: TrepanationAlthough medicine and surgical procedures throughout history have been fascinating to me, I recently needed to do research for my current WIP on trepanation, or the surgical art of cutting a hole in a patient’s head.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpvrZ3s0AhTIbLZUiArntd0XruOpw7P_bwTMdHMNebHVk9zv4JqGOdQNDo0akG6sPT_CO9KnvlYxyaPFClmv-0TcunQIr3FrBRVobYuSnRLlWHtpImIkJ8F8wKYcjVXYp9zSXnFv4L4yg/s662/PROCEDURE.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="627" data-original-width="662" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpvrZ3s0AhTIbLZUiArntd0XruOpw7P_bwTMdHMNebHVk9zv4JqGOdQNDo0akG6sPT_CO9KnvlYxyaPFClmv-0TcunQIr3FrBRVobYuSnRLlWHtpImIkJ8F8wKYcjVXYp9zSXnFv4L4yg/s320/PROCEDURE.jpg"/></a></div>
Trepanation is, in fact, the surgical operation in which a hole or holes are cut into the skull either to relieve pressure from what we would call a subdural hematoma, or it would be used to relieve pressure caused by a depressed skull fracture.
Another major reason for using trepanation as a therapeutic treatment was to allow the blood to flow out before it became bad. It was used to help release bad humors, and to relieve headaches.
The procedure itself goes back to ancient cultures: Greek, Roman, Chinese, Incan. Indeed, evidence of trepanned skulls dates back to the Paleolithic period. It is unknown if the operation was primarily performed as therapeutic treatment or religious ritual. What is known that even in the prehistoric operations, some patients survived and survived for years.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9SuydpyOo4VUGOT40NT_4gQgdmQ-iltcMuyojtOe5IYju46Iw7Km8d15UcI08UPEioCuIHYUjMdCEdCAHpZsynD3ZpdT-mk-J5qqwljUatKJiEHTdq0WVw4Qp3oro9S0nJg20Z274v_k/s260/DRS+KIT.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="260" data-original-width="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9SuydpyOo4VUGOT40NT_4gQgdmQ-iltcMuyojtOe5IYju46Iw7Km8d15UcI08UPEioCuIHYUjMdCEdCAHpZsynD3ZpdT-mk-J5qqwljUatKJiEHTdq0WVw4Qp3oro9S0nJg20Z274v_k/s320/DRS+KIT.JPG"/></a></div>By the 18th century, trepanning was done regularly. A doctor’s kit included a case for his trepanning tools. Methods for trepanation included cutting or scraping the skull with obsidian knives or flints in the earliest days, or a curved metal knife. A second method included scraping the skull with a piece of glass. The third consisted of cutting a circular groove and the resulting disc of bone was lifted out. A fourth method used the trephine, a circular saw that was hollow with a toothed lower edge that cut a smooth circle and allowed a disc to be removed. In a final method, a series of small holes were drilled in a circle, then a saw used to cut the pieces separating the holes and the piece of skull lifted free.
Most trepanations were performed at home and by the 18th century likely had some form of anesthesia (such as laudanum or opium, or<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhETlH5zVIePTJaFlDeBN76TCQXZUFTTGHHeqA1NfTAfK8Aae_8gD-546u1XK3hJ-Iyea-5hjR9uI3FuzfY4-ELipmsePhrz_o1nI0w_1pndr3OkoYz6x8hWu_37zKeNHduOImN8hM3XU0/s1280/TREPANATION+INSTRUMENTS.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="920" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhETlH5zVIePTJaFlDeBN76TCQXZUFTTGHHeqA1NfTAfK8Aae_8gD-546u1XK3hJ-Iyea-5hjR9uI3FuzfY4-ELipmsePhrz_o1nI0w_1pndr3OkoYz6x8hWu_37zKeNHduOImN8hM3XU0/s320/TREPANATION+INSTRUMENTS.jpg"/></a></div> in some cases whisky) was administered prior to the procedure. There was a high mortality rate, due to rampant infection, but some patients did indeed survive.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuACvelzz6edhPjsoYLu7eidTCKbbLfpmF2VdUbougjsVJnDK46SgRQN0pZJzGZx-Rg4BvthiQJe9I2hMVjjaE2WF4eZH1MIjio1rCbYY311W1X8KEkdl0hIUj1N7aJlY0MV3BVbpQPC0/s2048/A+Countess+of+Convenience+final.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuACvelzz6edhPjsoYLu7eidTCKbbLfpmF2VdUbougjsVJnDK46SgRQN0pZJzGZx-Rg4BvthiQJe9I2hMVjjaE2WF4eZH1MIjio1rCbYY311W1X8KEkdl0hIUj1N7aJlY0MV3BVbpQPC0/s320/A+Countess+of+Convenience+final.jpg"/></a></div>The heroine in my upcoming romance novel, A Countess of Convenience, must undergo a trepanation (not described in the book) in order to relieve intercranial pressure that had left her in a comatose state for months. She survives, but her condition has some medical liabilities she must overcome throughout the book. If you’d like to take a look, there’s an excerpt in my digital chapter book, A Return to Life free on Smashwords (.99 on Amazon) and A Countess of Convenience is on pre-order on Amazon.
Jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10308158251486924808noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8386077972421065740.post-54839987236907455982021-02-12T03:00:00.001-05:002021-02-12T03:00:04.340-05:00<p><a data-blogger-escaped-style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6fe9Dg1auLQoEtcfkXmygWD_fQQAg6loXCr0XP_6XTYKA_GvV7dFl6n5t9d2aC2fnRc9L5agAytKoNyeW8Qhmf_lbCUQzRDfLP2ifZhd8mL8Zs2oWkZ1VHgG8t_GysvDb-vh6CC7okdk/s1600/%25281876%2529_A_collection_of_Valentines_ancient_and_modern_-_01.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" class="alignleft" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6fe9Dg1auLQoEtcfkXmygWD_fQQAg6loXCr0XP_6XTYKA_GvV7dFl6n5t9d2aC2fnRc9L5agAytKoNyeW8Qhmf_lbCUQzRDfLP2ifZhd8mL8Zs2oWkZ1VHgG8t_GysvDb-vh6CC7okdk/s320/%25281876%2529_A_collection_of_Valentines_ancient_and_modern_-_01.jpg" width="244" /></a> by Donna Hatch</p><p><a href="http://www.donnahatch.com">www.donnahatch.com</a></p>
<p>As a romance author and hopeless romantic, I cannot possibly ignore Valentine’s Day. I admit, until I started researching the topic, I really didn't know the real history behind Valentine’s day except it was to honor a Christian named Valentine who was martyred for marrying people in secret. Which really didn't make sense to me. Was he martyred because he was Christian? Or because he was marrying people? To my surprise, I found the answer to be a bit of both. Maybe. Although no one really sure who, exactly the famous Valentine actually was. He may have actually been more than one person. Much is couched in myth and speculation. However, here's some fun history, sprinkled liberally with legend.</p>
<p>This much <span data-blogger-escaped-style="font-style: italic;">appears </span>to be factual: In Rome 270 C.E. Emperor Claudius II put out an edict saying no man could marry. Ever.</p>
<p>??????</p>
<p>Talk about a stupid law! No marriage? At all? And sex outside of marriage was considered to "prostitution" which was also illegal. Talk about a bunch of lonely, unhappy people. And how were children to be brought into the world? Did he think it was okay for his entire country to become extinct in a single generation? Clearly, this brainless emperor didn’t think that one through.</p>
<p>He apparently did have a reason for it, however short-sighted. He felt that marriage made men "soft" and therefore unreliable soldiers. Men wouldn’t want to leave his wife and child AND die for his country, and because Emperor Claudius needed a massive army to maintain his vast empire. So, he outlawed marriage. Clearly, he wasn't worried about becoming unpopular with his crazy law nor having a country peopled with soldiers for his posterity.</p>
<p><a data-blogger-escaped-onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNC76VB_nwlIXAblNbcI2Nq8paBpBqpMgLUy3Z35yXOVXFPW68BlQnkaO8ls5ZGqWrtUwIxUPoEED-Rb3DB9cz7K7FJ1vniNM_yyFbdUzCtj1TGVHhnEAPCrz_4jAOqLAoDzEOhgILp0ds/s1600-h/st-valentine-wedding.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" class="alignright" data-blogger-escaped-alt="" data-blogger-escaped-style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 200px; margin: 0 0 10px 10px; width: 136px;" height="307" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434150653929268018" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNC76VB_nwlIXAblNbcI2Nq8paBpBqpMgLUy3Z35yXOVXFPW68BlQnkaO8ls5ZGqWrtUwIxUPoEED-Rb3DB9cz7K7FJ1vniNM_yyFbdUzCtj1TGVHhnEAPCrz_4jAOqLAoDzEOhgILp0ds/s200/st-valentine-wedding.jpg" width="207" /></a>Into this confusing chaos steps Valentine, the Bishop of Interamna, who invited all young lovers to come secretly marry and, in turn, converted quite a few people to Christianity. This man was intelligent – much smarter than the Emperor because while getting his way of converting people to Christianity, he also saw to the needs of disgruntled lovers. Aw, isn’t that sweet?</p>
<p>Or it might have been a ploy to convert heathens. Either way, the Emperor inevitably found out and had Valentine arrested.</p>
<p>The odd thing is, Valentine may not have been condemned for going against the Emperor's edict. Some accounts suggest it was because he refused to renounce Christianity and convert to Roman ways AND even attempted to convert the Emperor to Christianity. Talk about pluck! According to legend, while Valentine was awaiting execution, he befriended a girl who was the blind daughter of the jailer. While in jail, Valentine restored her eyesight through his faith. Some people believe he fell in love with her. Then he supposedly wrote her a farewell letter on the day that he was stoned (or beaten, according to some sources) and then beheaded. Another account reports he simply died in prison, probably of typhus, or gaol (jail) fever. At any rate, Valentine reportedly signed his love letter, "FROM YOUR VALENTINE."</p>
<p><a href="http://donnahatch.com/?attachment_id=1940" rel="attachment wp-att-1940" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="morning_st_valentine" class="alignleft wp-image-1940" height="212" src="http://donnahatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/morning_st_valentine.jpg" width="255" /></a>We have been using his name, and even that phrase, ever since.</p>
<p>Also, there appears to have been anywhere from three to seven men who bore that name and were martyred, or died while in service to the church. Apparently one helped a number of Christians escape prison where they were being beaten and tortured. This Valentine was caught and executed. Another Valentine was a missionary in Africa, but little is known about him. Or, it’s possible, they were all the same men, but accounts of his death have been muddied. However, we do know that Valentinus, or Valentine, was a very common Roman name.</p>
<p>Though the marrying Valentine was executed on February 24, (according to some sources, anyway) 270, the Christian church chose to honor him and all the Valentines – who all supposedly died on or near February 14 – on February 14th because they wanted to replace a Roman rite of passage to the God of Lupercus. Part of the festival included men running around and slapping young women with a strap dipped in blood with the idea it was supposed to make them fertile. Another practice in that festival involved putting the names of virgins in a box (I wonder if they were willing or unwilling?) and drawn by not so virginal men (ARE there any virginal men?) in a lottery. Whichever girl was drawn was then assigned to "pleasure" the lucky man until the next lottery, which was a year later. (poor girl!!!) Sounds like a premise for a book, doesn’t it?</p>
<p>Anyway, the church was appalled by this pagan holiday (I don't blame them) so they chose to substitute it with a close second. Well, okay, maybe by the men’s standards it wasn’t such a close substitute. But Valentine’s Day appealed to the love aspect of the ritual instead of sex. I’m sorta surprised the men went for it, men being what they are. But I guess pleasing his wife, or the girl whom he hopes will be his wife someday, in the hopes he’ll get lucky (ahem) was the best substitute a good Christian man could hope for.</p>
<p>So, happy Valentine's day! And be grateful we aren't Roman!!!</p>Donna Hatchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05807169149057139718noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8386077972421065740.post-38897804529464854692021-02-03T00:30:00.001-05:002021-02-03T00:30:03.002-05:00No Occupation for a Lady: The Plight of Ladies Without Means in the 18th Century By Jenna JaxonFor centuries women of the upper classes have lived precariously on the wealth of their families or their husband’s families.
Lower and middle class women, especially in the 18th century, were allowed a variety of occupations, including “spinners, tailoresses, milliners, and washerwomen.” Other possible occupations were domestic service, midwives, and milkmaids. They have also been recorded as working as apothecaries, barbers, blacksmiths, seamstresses, and printers. Many of these were family-run businesses and the women of the family would learn the family trade and work there until they married, at which point they would take care of their own family and children or go into their husband’s family business.
Not so for women of the upper classes. The occupation most young ladies of the aristocracy were trained for was marriage. It was the duty of each young woman to marry and afterwards take care of her husband’s house, bear and raise his children, and take over his duties with his estate should he be called away from it for any amount of time. This was the primary job opportunity for ladies, and should they not make a marriage, their life became extremely perilous.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJZ4GiBOHi2tWjOGgPcJMgqTNYuram6DtIH4p0kKbi980RKSdZzReVr6T-ov2SzlvjPhN5TwbhfhFDChU7SrwQ7HHAk4H63P5vTMPPGCtwtIr4GS7vdVbkaDUWRNf9fIugVwAn_menNY/s1059/an00893785_001_l.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="1059" data-original-width="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJZ4GiBOHi2tWjOGgPcJMgqTNYuram6DtIH4p0kKbi980RKSdZzReVr6T-ov2SzlvjPhN5TwbhfhFDChU7SrwQ7HHAk4H63P5vTMPPGCtwtIr4GS7vdVbkaDUWRNf9fIugVwAn_menNY/s320/an00893785_001_l.jpg"/></a></div>A daughter who, after three Seasons found herself still unmarried, was deemed a spinster or “on the shelf” and usually was relegated to remaining in her father’s house to take care of her parents, or any of her brothers and sisters with families who needed assistance. At the death of her father, she might stay on in her brother’s household, helping as best she could, but could be sent away if she did not get along with her brother’s wife.
One of the few other permissible occupations for ladies was as a companion to a respectable member of the family or another family<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnNTA_oht4ejjF_dcJXuL2FzzuxFfn0hSv4pkpKdOvIw5zYyb5yGvAsXiZ2NNcI0MyaVtoJ5O7WO2Z9aAHqH3TUPAXui_UKhHNKrtjervQ_yYbOKkpJ4YulJyLQFUiDqSRQ2OAl7Z_4lc/s488/pleasant-letter-by-alfred-stevens-1860.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnNTA_oht4ejjF_dcJXuL2FzzuxFfn0hSv4pkpKdOvIw5zYyb5yGvAsXiZ2NNcI0MyaVtoJ5O7WO2Z9aAHqH3TUPAXui_UKhHNKrtjervQ_yYbOKkpJ4YulJyLQFUiDqSRQ2OAl7Z_4lc/s320/pleasant-letter-by-alfred-stevens-1860.jpg"/></a></div> of good reputation. This could be a good position for any lady left alone (through widowhood or simple fate) must have a companion with her at all times to preserve her reputation. If the companion and her employer suited one another, then the companion position could be a godsend. However, if the employer was difficult, it might not be a permanent solution.
The third occupation that was respectable for ladies was that of governess. Every house with daughters employed a governess once they attained the age of six or so. The family wanted a woman of good family and reputation who could instruct their children not only in their studies, but in their deportment. Of course, governesses were hired for a finite period of time, until the girls were ready to go out into society. They would then go on to another family, hopefully with a good reference.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx5sVw4vBj8K5g2wtYS9EPVXIm8-qDOy5jMOAmlFRyXl5_Ms3EmFej542QuvauH6o67FgGaDVAxkU9W9CXtAddgWKsTZwdUmjJ5wMKHEs-sd2Hx9aQj7mh6zM8AQN-xmB2uyx8PJEgE2Q/s997/800px-The_governess.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="997" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx5sVw4vBj8K5g2wtYS9EPVXIm8-qDOy5jMOAmlFRyXl5_Ms3EmFej542QuvauH6o67FgGaDVAxkU9W9CXtAddgWKsTZwdUmjJ5wMKHEs-sd2Hx9aQj7mh6zM8AQN-xmB2uyx8PJEgE2Q/s320/800px-The_governess.jpg"/></a></div>
If a lady could not secure any of these positions she would have to find some other means of making ends meet. Occupations such as domestic servant or shopkeeper were not considered “genteel,” thus rendering her no longer part of the upper class.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirCqqhfXjzVLKQ8lhIb7bqrUfXJVzzW5xO3QX7mB-0wGdYz674V1QyGJAMQonmzg0ADVPBZ5pMFOJO1nH_GRyfD-BxPsvxAZrSQRXMVnMSsAj1vErpAhyphenhyphenIIxFPjhK6W84vI0P0M__XobQ/s2048/Only+a+Mistress+Will+Do+FINAL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirCqqhfXjzVLKQ8lhIb7bqrUfXJVzzW5xO3QX7mB-0wGdYz674V1QyGJAMQonmzg0ADVPBZ5pMFOJO1nH_GRyfD-BxPsvxAZrSQRXMVnMSsAj1vErpAhyphenhyphenIIxFPjhK6W84vI0P0M__XobQ/s320/Only+a+Mistress+Will+Do+FINAL.jpg"/></a></div>In my romance Only A Mistress Will Do, the heroine, Violet Carlton, is one such woman whose circumstances have brought
her terribly low. She has been unable to marry and has not been able to secure a position as either a companion or a governess. She has been brought so low, in fact, that in order for her to live, she must seek employment at a brothel and sell her body at the House of Pleasure. A circumstance that, unfortunately, happens both then and now.
Jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10308158251486924808noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8386077972421065740.post-76273886146388230322021-01-06T00:31:00.000-05:002021-01-06T00:31:17.035-05:00The Frost Fair of 1814 by Jenna JaxonWinter days during the Regency were particularly cold as The Little Ice Age was in full swing during the early 19th century. In early February of 1814 the Thames River in London froze over completely and to a depth of more than eighteen inches, prompting what would be the final Frost Fair in London.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpf2sKdJTxvt6XlMMnb2zigxVIG2ohfTIA2UYmUIxx8o1BlgzQddrm-Efp72w6Fi0Z-RYrwR-5tOex1VmfwNrvoQP1C7_IBoIyGUo-6b7TgcTl0bXGJTx5pL49Q3PFmWbDpqkoRU-TB0o/s976/_72554535_colouraquatin1814.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="736" data-original-width="976" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpf2sKdJTxvt6XlMMnb2zigxVIG2ohfTIA2UYmUIxx8o1BlgzQddrm-Efp72w6Fi0Z-RYrwR-5tOex1VmfwNrvoQP1C7_IBoIyGUo-6b7TgcTl0bXGJTx5pL49Q3PFmWbDpqkoRU-TB0o/s320/_72554535_colouraquatin1814.jpg"/></a></div>
The first Frost Fair occurred in 1608, although the river had frozen over many times before that. This initial fair consisted of out-of-work watermen who erected temporary sheds out of blankets or canvas and sold hot drinks to passersby. However, the last time the Thames froze solid, the Frost Fair that occurred on its ice-bound waters was a huge carnival that lasted from February 1-4 and spread from London Bridge to Blackfriars Bridge. To open the fair and prove the ice was frozen solid, an elephant walked across the river.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEWSwhNUYDdagUoAukGY26a2SNAN0AdW_FqKCQ3c7ilyPzAxawr1UaSwb9Cp9pM-YDWQI4y-eVlG1Q2IsjNTiyVcgA5PI0NvDo0LW81K0LV-7phpRrvhrQ6y-tuy29MTK8jBYzJbxFvxM/s624/_72554533_lukeclennelldetail.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="335" data-original-width="624" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEWSwhNUYDdagUoAukGY26a2SNAN0AdW_FqKCQ3c7ilyPzAxawr1UaSwb9Cp9pM-YDWQI4y-eVlG1Q2IsjNTiyVcgA5PI0NvDo0LW81K0LV-7phpRrvhrQ6y-tuy29MTK8jBYzJbxFvxM/s320/_72554533_lukeclennelldetail.jpg"/></a></div>Like any fair or carnival there were many varied attractions. There were, of course, vendors with food and drink to sell. One popular type of stall cooked mutton or beef right on the ice and charged not only for the meat after it was cooked, but also for the privilege of watching it cook. Purveyors of nuts and fruits carried their wares around the fair rather than have a stationary stall. All manner of drinks were also sold: tea, coffee, hot chocolate, mulled wine, beer, and spirits. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv9vBZ6cijRPzvopaQ-b8lRXiq2qAUVX8zOef5r1UOTny_Oh2k9QjCWZij4iuX1xJghJXLRED1-p9DjYjZG-y31APnTX269QeAh9oli-ZeeDt52ZOdNLRNadCIEDjjspO7SPd3r5xLhVo/s964/article-2524252-1A206DEE00000578-927_964x714.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="714" data-original-width="964" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv9vBZ6cijRPzvopaQ-b8lRXiq2qAUVX8zOef5r1UOTny_Oh2k9QjCWZij4iuX1xJghJXLRED1-p9DjYjZG-y31APnTX269QeAh9oli-ZeeDt52ZOdNLRNadCIEDjjspO7SPd3r5xLhVo/s320/article-2524252-1A206DEE00000578-927_964x714.jpg"/></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqIikvUFm_jqpzqfhjKMnTpEYMEBd9XIvxlVCNd5_WiETjybHs5tjFd-8x3OXzxGG06q06k55649skj6fD1Ns2UBMZAwkf9ogelMmeZg3Di2BbTWuT2LQw3DAywJy-N62UFmRcc2qY44I/s713/article-2524252-1A206DF900000578-655_470x713.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="713" data-original-width="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqIikvUFm_jqpzqfhjKMnTpEYMEBd9XIvxlVCNd5_WiETjybHs5tjFd-8x3OXzxGG06q06k55649skj6fD1Ns2UBMZAwkf9ogelMmeZg3Di2BbTWuT2LQw3DAywJy-N62UFmRcc2qY44I/s320/article-2524252-1A206DF900000578-655_470x713.jpg"/></a></div>Souvenirs of all sorts were sold to commemorate the Frost Fair. Printers were moved onto the ice and printed customized souvenirs for customers. Also popular were any manner of items—from cutlery to cups to plates—were labeled with the information that they were purchased at the Frost Fair. One of the most unusual souvenirs was a piece of gingerbread, still extant, bought at this fair in 1814.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTADH3BXTGYM7S2mWJHQOaEOmBz5FwS3qBrehZEgHztY4x1xJmZw7kj5_B4SlEtXT_05NFU0OP4vB7S_03JVJ94NOg3JyNVVj7Y3yx3xOBkja9TIaPLQmkPpKuzgDYHHdwY6aNI79_wBI/s976/_72554536_gingerbread.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="610" data-original-width="976" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTADH3BXTGYM7S2mWJHQOaEOmBz5FwS3qBrehZEgHztY4x1xJmZw7kj5_B4SlEtXT_05NFU0OP4vB7S_03JVJ94NOg3JyNVVj7Y3yx3xOBkja9TIaPLQmkPpKuzgDYHHdwY6aNI79_wBI/s320/_72554536_gingerbread.jpg"/></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJWISCxoRhfSAzo6l_l8JpnRjWAT6DAuQYp5tUBaPAnEB48-D3oc7z-B2hmVQ_WqqC5u6r8PoF3VELZH02SbKILMFojnGfuwKpnOAPeZ4lR4QdtMjKFRoumyDMiChITF1aMI0D_51FXgY/s624/_72554534_faironthethamesfeb1814.engravingandetchingbygeorgecookeandlukeclennellcmuseumoflondon.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="624" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJWISCxoRhfSAzo6l_l8JpnRjWAT6DAuQYp5tUBaPAnEB48-D3oc7z-B2hmVQ_WqqC5u6r8PoF3VELZH02SbKILMFojnGfuwKpnOAPeZ4lR4QdtMjKFRoumyDMiChITF1aMI0D_51FXgY/s320/_72554534_faironthethamesfeb1814.engravingandetchingbygeorgecookeandlukeclennellcmuseumoflondon.jpg"/></a></div>When one had eaten their fill and bought their souvenirs, there were any other manner of entertainment at the Frost Fair. Animal races, bear and bull baitings, donkey rides were part of the celebration. Games of football, skittles, and archery took place as well as ice skating. Rides were another part of the entertainment. Swings were erected and as well as a whirling chair ride. Acts such as jugglers, sword and fire swallowers, and stilt-walkers enhanced the carnival-like atmosphere. Another very popular entertainment was puppet shows.
This stunning display of winter revelry came to an abrupt end when, on February 4th, the cold snap broke, the temperature moderated, and the ice turned back into rushing water. As soon as the ice began to crack and creak, most vendors pulled up stakes and hurried to the safety of the banks of the river, although a few left it too late and ended up with their stalls floating down the river.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSU39f6kR431EcvwMdgu9AGOonAmo23J7muvko23osl7ccZXyXwigy6qAaOdN136ZclTyY2gMDIRbHtFliHuCtqNJqNDaxrBIdzyVxIe0fdYp5KwhjTCiTSuTeuC0nAoapPQjQhbJUk3A/s964/article-2524252-1A206F0800000578-275_964x676.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="676" data-original-width="964" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSU39f6kR431EcvwMdgu9AGOonAmo23J7muvko23osl7ccZXyXwigy6qAaOdN136ZclTyY2gMDIRbHtFliHuCtqNJqNDaxrBIdzyVxIe0fdYp5KwhjTCiTSuTeuC0nAoapPQjQhbJUk3A/s320/article-2524252-1A206F0800000578-275_964x676.jpg"/></a></div>
An extraordinary gathering that was destined, by the end of the Little Ice Age in the 19th century and global warming in the 20th and 21st centuries, to be the final Frost Fair.
Jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10308158251486924808noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8386077972421065740.post-35096572588829762552020-12-04T17:37:00.005-05:002020-12-04T17:37:56.118-05:00<p>by Regency Romance Author, Donna Hatch</p><p><a href="http://www.donnahatch.com">www.donnahatch.com</a></p><p> <img alt="" class="wp-image-5297" src="https://donnahatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Victorian-Christmas-image.jpg" /></p><!-- wp:image {"id":5297} -->
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<p>Few symbols of Christmas are more admired than the Christmas tree, and nowadays, most countries that celebrate this holiday have their own version of Christmas trees. Before that, evergreens were a commonly hung adornment in homes, not just at Christmas but all winter. </p>
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<p>Dating back hundreds of years, people in many countries hung evergreen boughs over their doors and windows, hoping to ward off witches, ghosts, evil spirits, and even illness. According to legend, it wasn’t until about 722 in Germany, that whole trees arrived on the scene. In the Middle Ages, the Germans and Scandinavians brought evergreen trees to the door or sometimes even inside their homes to display their hope that spring would soon come. It also symbolized eternal life. </p>
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<p>One popular story about the origin of the evergreen being a Christmas tree tells of Saint Boniface who encountered a group of pagans about to sacrifice a child at the base of an oak tree. Appalled, and rightly so, Saint Boniface stopped the sacrifice and even cut down the tree to prevent future sacrifices. Later, a Fir tree grew at the base of that oak stump. St. Boniface took that as a sign and spread the word that the evergreen was a holy tree because its branches pointed to heaven as a sign that it belonged to the Christ child, and that the fir was a symbol of His promise of eternal life. </p>
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<p>Another legend attributes Martin Luther the credit for the origin of the Christmas tree. In the 1500’s on Christmas tree, Mr. Luther took a walk through a snowy forest. The sight of the moonlight shimmering in on the snow-covered woods that starry night touched him so much that he cut down a small fir tree and brought it home for his family. They decorated the tree with small lit candles in honor of the birth of the Christ child.<br /> <br /> According to All About <em>Jesus Christ, The Origin of the Christmas</em> <em>Tree</em>: </p>
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<p><em>Research into customs of various cultures shows that greenery was often brought into homes at the time of the winter solstice. It symbolized life in the midst of death in many cultures. The Romans were known to deck their homes with evergreens during Kalends of January 15. Living trees were also brought into homes during the old Germany feast of Yule, which originally was a two month feast beginning in November. The Yule tree was planted in a tub and brought into the home. But there is no evidence that the Christmas tree is a direct descendent of the Yule tree. Evidence does point to the Paradise tree, however. This story goes back to the 11th century religious plays. One of the most popular was the Paradise Play. The play depicted the story of the creation of Adam and Eve, their sin, and their banishment from Paradise. The only prop on the stage was the Paradise tree, a fir tree adorned with apples. The play would end with the promise of the coming Savior and His Incarnation. The people had grown so accustomed to the Paradise tree, that they began putting their own Paradise tree up in their homes on December 24.<br /></em></p>
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<p>The Hanoverian kings, who were from a duchy of what became present-day Germany, adopted the use of Christmas trees -- the tabletop variety -- with real lit candles. While the candles were lit, a footman or a member of the family stood by with a water pot to prevent the risk of causing a fire. </p>
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<p>Christmas trees came to England with the German Prince, Albert, when he married Queen Victoria in 1840, and brought his German Christmas traditions with him. In 1848, an engraving of the Royal Family celebrating Christmas at Windsor was published in the newspaper which showed Victoria and Albert standing with their children around a Christmas tree. Since the English adored Queen Victoria, the general populace adopted the custom of a Christmas tree with ornaments. </p>
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<p>German immigrants brought the Christmas tree to America as early as 1747. Pennsylvania had the first record of one being on display in the 1830s. The average American in New England, however, rejected Christmas trees, viewing them as pagan symbols. Puritans viewed Christmas as sacred and shunned anything they considered frivolous. However, with an influx of German and Irish immigrants, the Puritans lost their power, further fueled by the illustrated version of the newspaper that had a sketch of the royals with their tree. After all, what was done at court immediately became fashionable—not only in England but with fashion-conscious East Coast American Society. This combination eventually undermined the Puritan legacy. Never to do anything small, the Americans soon graduated from small table-top trees such as the Europeans used, to the floor-to-ceiling trees we know today.</p>
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<p> As a Regency author, I seldom use Christmas trees in my stories unless I establish a family tradition with German roots for my fictional characters. But there are lots of other English fun traditions I discovered, after much careful research, that were honored, and that I include in my writing. Many of those traditions, including Yule Logs, Mistletoe or kissing balls, and other fun Christmas traditions went into my full-length novel, <em><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076B6Z7GZ/">Christmas Secrets</a></em>, available in print and ebook, and free on Kindle Unlimited. You can purchase your own copy, or give it as a gift, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076B6Z7GZ/">here</a>: </p>
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<p>
A stolen Christmas kiss leaves them bewildered and breathless.</p>
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<p>A charming rogue-turned-vicar, Will wants to prove that he left his rakish days behind him, but an accidental kiss changes all his plans. His secret could bring them together...or divide them forever.</p>
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<p>Holly has two Christmas wishes this year; finally earn her mother's approval by gaining the notice of a handsome earl, and learn the identity of the stranger who gave her a heart-shattering kiss...even if that stranger is the resident Christmas ghost.
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<p>Grab your copy on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076B6Z7GZ/">here</a>!</p><p>Don't have time to read a full-length novel during the holiday season? Check out these novellas, short enough to enjoy and romantic afternoon escape, and long enough to have a swoony happily ever after.</p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018YCCQ6G/" target="_blank">"A Winter's Knight"</a></p><p>"<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OFAVKBY/" target="_blank">A Christmas Reunion</a>"</p><p>"<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006MI3M36/" target="_blank">Mistletoe Magic</a>"</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS728S_sWjYQAcikkZJRGaeh9WCv9l6-O4MuOPzQKHPc_JpNQ_VMZfa4HAUFgHxgB1-YqwUbEOpXOONtnE3n6Z-HZX8JacP2lMK4pdz1LEEvHh74cvOFWbY8IaTxwwnsnLv5Pw7oa_Cbw/s1650/Christmas+novellas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="1650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS728S_sWjYQAcikkZJRGaeh9WCv9l6-O4MuOPzQKHPc_JpNQ_VMZfa4HAUFgHxgB1-YqwUbEOpXOONtnE3n6Z-HZX8JacP2lMK4pdz1LEEvHh74cvOFWbY8IaTxwwnsnLv5Pw7oa_Cbw/s320/Christmas+novellas.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>
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<p>Sources:</p>
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<p><a href="https://www.britannica.com/plant/Christmas-tree">https://www.britannica.com/plant/Christmas-tree</a></p>
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<p><a href="https://www.regencyhistory.net/2012/12/did-they-have-christmas-trees-in-regency.html">https://www.regencyhistory.net/2012/12/did-they-have-christmas-trees-in-regency.html</a></p>
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<p><a href="https://www.allaboutjesuschrist.org/origin-of-the-christmas-tree-faq.htm">https://www.allaboutjesuschrist.org/origin-of-the-christmas-tree-faq.htm</a></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->Donna Hatchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05807169149057139718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8386077972421065740.post-39979259838481303872020-12-02T00:30:00.001-05:002020-12-02T00:30:05.362-05:00Celebrating a Regency Christmas by Jenna JaxonOne of the problems of writing a Christmas story set in the Regency period is the fact that during about the early years of the nineteenth century, Christmas was celebrated almost not at all. Between 1811 and 1820 people seemed to not wish to commemorate the season very much at all. However, if one digs really deeply, you can find a few distinctive traditions that were observed during this most wonderful time of year.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA-2SSJRy3aqjPNWnomLXwPSnaelH1oXY0x5UVqNKM7TGk_uJTEomfiYuaVrjJF6cCZmYEiJm6XJoF3gNO13i5BgbQmwHQoPUgI07gQK8WMpGpshVYIOkXHnynfeTR25vN5LHTq_NNfgY/s899/2018-12-24-Merry-Christmas-without-greeting.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA-2SSJRy3aqjPNWnomLXwPSnaelH1oXY0x5UVqNKM7TGk_uJTEomfiYuaVrjJF6cCZmYEiJm6XJoF3gNO13i5BgbQmwHQoPUgI07gQK8WMpGpshVYIOkXHnynfeTR25vN5LHTq_NNfgY/s200/2018-12-24-Merry-Christmas-without-greeting.jpg"/></a></div>The season itself was very different from our own, which now begins the day after Thanksgiving in the United States and is in full swing by December 1. In the Regency Christmastide began on Christmas Eve. This was the traditional day for going out into the woods (or to a shop in the city) to gather greenery to decorate the house with. Holly, rosemary, bay, laurel, and mistletoe were the traditional fresh greens brought in and either hung up (as in mistletoe) or draped around windows or mantlepieces. Mistletoe, then as now, was hung up all over the house waiting for couples to meet and kiss underneath it. The tradition was for each kiss, one of the white balls was plucked from the mistletoe ball. When no balls remained, that particular bough was finished. The Christmas tree, sadly, did not come into being until the Victorian age.
One practice that most sources agree on was that it was a time for families to gather together with neighbors and friends. There<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg22R3QZqLUUe6Btdrx8r9EK6zOCt7xpsR6JrzbiP4Ou6fqGybIXcqqxiVDKhUQ5r2P3eGU9O8o5llRCMmWrgntTO-0BVjvNQPrZM8hqRN_gm6x5AFLUtT-M-gEsG_s8RYa9tlQTtgDeQ/s363/45d569a1d99b7e418422f26c09fb461c.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg22R3QZqLUUe6Btdrx8r9EK6zOCt7xpsR6JrzbiP4Ou6fqGybIXcqqxiVDKhUQ5r2P3eGU9O8o5llRCMmWrgntTO-0BVjvNQPrZM8hqRN_gm6x5AFLUtT-M-gEsG_s8RYa9tlQTtgDeQ/s320/45d569a1d99b7e418422f26c09fb461c.jpg"/></a></div> are many references to a big dinner on Christmas day that one either held in one’s home or was invited to dine with another family. The dinner was filled with rich meats like roast beef, venison, goose, pheasant, and swan or peacock. Bread based stuffing and vegetables such as potatoes, squash, and carrots rounded out the meal. The Christmas pie (mincemeat) and Christmas pudding were staples of the dinner as well.
Charity was another tradition during the season. Those more fortunate were sure to celebrate it by sharing with those less fortunate. Gifts of food and drink and money were given to the poor. Wassailers and mummers paraded through towns performing songs or skits in exchange for foodstuffs and money.
The day could also end with parlor games such as charades, blindman’s bluff, any number of card games, and the infamous Snapdragon. For this last, raisins were soaked in brandy, then the dish was lit on fire and everyone had to grab a raisin and eat it without getting burned. Obviously, you do NOT want to try this at home!
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjldyFbZeGN21a-FkpdpGV9yUeDabACBUYEV-DJ1UTlcvaUahE8pw66hJCIZqtyl-4tcyvpiSl2o9Cwr2ohmbq9MazmXmsxfEiSAvdHh6LtJaBPx1UJMgJAp5KfPtVaKo9XLdZZ34KZGEY/s504/1024px-Snip_Snap_Dragon_-14596553977.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="398" data-original-width="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjldyFbZeGN21a-FkpdpGV9yUeDabACBUYEV-DJ1UTlcvaUahE8pw66hJCIZqtyl-4tcyvpiSl2o9Cwr2ohmbq9MazmXmsxfEiSAvdHh6LtJaBPx1UJMgJAp5KfPtVaKo9XLdZZ34KZGEY/s320/1024px-Snip_Snap_Dragon_-14596553977.jpg"/></a></div>
The celebration continued through Epiphany or Twelfth Night, on which day all the greenery had to be taken out and burned to avoid bad luck throughout the year.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85NR-BO1tYohEyZ5ytTZNfAhqu2K_d-r1dx13C2SGdDSS-7TIDVSySmw6N1_zppjXHtHsnbmOxrwne8oklwR29lTmSY8oxgDSNX8rJJ3EHS6gH5pdwS79PbRzEayHCHwxFUGNiwtoIwY/s2048/YULETIDE+TALES+FINAL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85NR-BO1tYohEyZ5ytTZNfAhqu2K_d-r1dx13C2SGdDSS-7TIDVSySmw6N1_zppjXHtHsnbmOxrwne8oklwR29lTmSY8oxgDSNX8rJJ3EHS6gH5pdwS79PbRzEayHCHwxFUGNiwtoIwY/s320/YULETIDE+TALES+FINAL.jpg"/></a></div>While writing six Regency Christmas tales, I’ve incorporated quite a few of these traditions including bringing in the greenery, parlor games, Christmas dinner, and of course, kissing under the mistletoe. My current release, It Happened Under the Mistletoe and other Yuletide Tales, contains five Christmas novellas in which mistletoe is prominently featured. The anthology is available on Amazon and Smashwords for just .99, a Christmas gift from me to you.
Here’s wishing everyone a very happy holiday season!
Sources:
Beverley, Jo. Christmas Traditions in the Regency.
Hoppe, Michelle J. The Regency Christmas Feast, 1999.
Rowland, Jane. Regency Christmas Games. Austen Authors, December 12, 2018.
Jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10308158251486924808noreply@blogger.com2