Author Archives: Maria Grace

Vermin of the State: Bachelors of the Regency Era

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Spinsters of the regency era did not have it easy, but neither did the bachelors. Regency society organized itself around marriage and family. Adults were identified by their place, or lack thereof, in a married, family unit. Married women were ranked higher and more respected than the unmarried. Married men were perceived as having come into their own and given the esteem and authority that went with such an accomplishment. Today, most believe that bachelors … Continue reading →

A Country Parson’s Life

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I’d like to welcome Brenda Cox today as she shares a fascinating article on a country parson’s life during the regency era. Country clergymen appear in each of Jane Austen’s novels. Some are satirized, like Mr. Collins of Pride and Prejudice and Mr. Elton of Emma. Others are men of integrity, like Edmund Bertram of Mansfield Park and Edward Ferrars of Sense and Sensibility.  Austen’s father, two of her brothers, and many of her friends were clergymen, … Continue reading →

Reason #22 Why writing takes so long

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#22 Getting the Details Right   It isn’t hard to find online comments about the adorable pink jellybean toes our kitty-friends sport. (And yeah, they are utterly adorable–especially when they have freckles on their toes like one of my kitties does. Those are the cutest things ever! I digress though.) Have you ever noticed just how much their paw pads look like little pink teddy bear faces? The chin, the little pink ears–total teddy bear … Continue reading →

Introducing the Dragon Index

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Today is appreciate a dragon day! What better way to appreciate them than by launching a reference to all things dragon! It will be expanding in the next few months. You can find the index at its permanent home HERE. Blue Order: The governing body of human-dragon relations in England. Made up of all major dragons, their Keepers and all humans who hear dragons, they are charged with managing all matters related to dragons in the … Continue reading →

Making Drinking Chocolate the Regency Way

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Making drinking chocolate in the regency era was a time consuming, labor intensive process, beyond the means of many, particularly if started from dried cacao nibs.  Because anything induced by chocolate MUST be a good idea, its time for another chocolate-induced dive down the research rabbit hole! Just to refresh your memory a bit, during the regency era, there were three particular luxury drinks: tea, coffee and chocolate. (I talked about tea recently, you can … Continue reading →