London Season in Regency England

by Historical Romance Author Donna Hatch
www.donnahatch.com

If you've ever read a Regency or Victorian Romance novel, or even any British historical novel set in the 18th or 19th century, you've probably come across the word "Season" (capitalized). Season does not refer to winter or spring but rather to the social whirl among the upper crust of British society during the spring. The Season originally began as a way for the families of men serving in Parliament to amuse themselves while staying in London, and so it remained for generations. Most families did not travel to and from their country estates to London during the autumn or winter months due to the difficulty of travel. However, after Easter, they seemed to be ready for society.

The dates which Parliament met varied from year to year. According to noted Regency researcher and author, Regina Scott, the dates parliament met were as follows: Parliament was in session during the following times:

• 1 November 1810 to 24 July 1811
• 7 January 1812 to 30 July 1812
• General election: 5 October to 10 November 1812
• 24 November 1812 to 22 July 1813
• 4 November 1813 to 30 July 1814
• 8 November 1814 to 12 July 1815
• 1 Feb 1816 to 2 July 1816
• 28 January 1817 to 12 July 1817
• 27 January 1818 to 10 June 1818
• General election: 15 June to 25 July 1818
• 14 January 1819 to 13 July 1819, before the 16 August 1819 Peterloo Massacre
• 23 November 1819 to 28 February 1820 (special session because of the massacre but ending early because of the death of George III)
• General election: 6 March to 14 April 1820
• 21 April to 23 November 1820 (including a special session beginning the third week of August for the trial of Queen Caroline).

Parliament always went into recess for Lent, which precedes Easter, a time when the members of Parliament, also referred to as MPs, retreated to their country homes. When they returned to London after Easter, they often brought their families, especially if they had sons and/or daughters of marriageable age to participate in what was often referred to as the "marriage mart."

The focus was not always to find a spouse. Some families simply came to renew acquaintances and amuse themselves after wintering in the country. Regardless, the ton descended on London en masse. Activities varied but popular amusements were dinner parties, balls, musicales, attending the theater or the opera, visiting museums, going riding in the park, visiting private zoos, and riding in hot air balloons, to name a few.

Almack's Assembly Rooms

There were also the coveted vouchers for weekly balls at Almack's Assembly Rooms where the Patronesses kept a tight rein over who would and would not be granted entrance based on family connections and behavior. Young ladies wishing to dance the scandalous waltz had to first receive permission from the Patronesses. According to Regency researcher and author Candice Hern, the Patronesses were, Lady Jersey, Lady Cowper, Countess Leiven, Mrs. Drummond-Burrell, Lady Castlereagh, Lady Sefton, and Princess Esterhazy.

The Season in London was also a crucial event for the working class. People arriving in London needed servants for their London homes because they typically transported very few of their servants from house to house. If a family did not own a house in London, they rented a townhouse. They also shopped. A lot. Ladies absolutely had to have fine gowns as well as shoes, hats, gloves, reticules—you name it. The wealthy also went to the theatre and opera, which meant more performers were needed. As you can imagine, the cost to attending a Season in London was staggering, but most considered it a worthwhile investment if their children got married to a good match.

In short, much of the prosperity of London depended on the Season and the beau monde who peopled it. Merchants and craftsmen earned a living, and the wealthy amused themselves and secured the future of their line. It seems to have worked pretty well for most.

The London Season plays a major role in my upcoming book, Heart Strings, but not in the usual way.

When forced to choose between marrying a brutish oaf or becoming another man’s mistress, Susanna flees to London with dreams of becoming a professional harpist. Entangling herself with a handsome violinist who calls himself Kit may be more problematic than sleeping in the streets.

With peril lurking in the shadows, Susanna’s imminent danger not only forces Kit to choose between his better judgment and his heart, but he must also embrace the life to which he swore he would never return.

Heart Strings is available now for pre-order Kindle and paperback.

Gentlemen's Lodgings in Regency London

By Cheryl Bolen

While living in London around 1820, Polish scholar Krystyn Lach-Szyrma wrote in his journal—later published in his native country as a travel guide to Great Britain—that the best way for a gentleman to board in London was in what the French call pensions. These were private homes of impoverished widows of tradesmen, lawyers or clergymen.

Owners of these pensions advertised by posting signs in the windows or on doors of their establishments or on a wall at the Royal Exchange. Lach-Szyrma said it was even better if the establishment were recommended by someone. The boarder, too, had to come with recommendations.

In addition to a private bedchamber, the boarder had access to and could entertain in the public rooms, and he was able to take his meals with the proprietress and other guests.  

“Living in such a house is the cheapest way for a foreigner to live,” Lach-Syzrma wrote. He paid £7 a month, but this included “extras” such as servants, drinks and desserts that accounted for £2. He claims that there were households where one could live for £4, but such an establishment could not offer “the company of bright and intelligent people to further their social education.” 

Each bedroom was carpeted and provided all the necessary furniture. Sheets and bedding were changed every week. A room’s size and whether it was on the first or second floor influenced the price.  

Breakfast was served in the dining room every morning at nine. This consisted of tea, toast with butter, soft-boiled eggs and cold meat. Between breakfast and lunch, served at one, the gentlemen boarders read the newspapers which they subscribed to either individually or jointly. Few participated in the lunch of cold meat, cheese and bread because of pursuing their affairs. Unlike breakfast, lunch was served in the drawing room.

Dinner, served at five, consisted of five dishes, beginning with fish and ending with cheese. Desserts and drinks, except for beer, were the responsibility of the boarders. After dinner, men lingered with their wine.

After spending about four years in Great Britain, Lach-Szyrma published his observations on the country in Polish, but this rich resource was not published in English until 2009 when it was translated into English, annotated by Mona Kedslie McLeod of Edinburgh University, and published as London Observed. – Cheryl Bolen’s three Pride and Prejudice novellas have now been published in one volume, available in print or digital and titled Pride and Prejudice Sequels. Her Georgian novella Only You has just been released electronically and sells for $.99.