In a society governed by strict rules regulating the interaction of the sexes, the dance floor provided one of the only places marriage partners could meet and courtships might blossom. And the best dancefloor was to be found at a private ball. “The characteristic of an English country dance is that of gay simplicity. The steps should be few and easy, and the corresponding motion of the arms and body unaffected, modest, and graceful.” – … Continue reading →
In the Regency era, an active social season was not limited to London. Most country towns had a formal social season during the autumn and winter months, often beginning in early to mid-October. Extra events might also take place in the spring. Public assemblies or balls were usually scheduled to coincide with the full moon to ease travel. Traveling at night, especially for those with a considerably journey to an assembly, was not considered safe … Continue reading →
Regency women strove to become an accomplished lady, but what did that mean? During the Regency era, a proper education was crucial to a middle or upper class young lady’s future. Since a woman’s only ‘proper’ aspiration was to marriage, her education focused on making her noticeable to potential husbands. Her accomplishments enabled her to display cultural distinction and set herself apart from women who were merely ‘notable’—those who could only manage a household but … Continue reading →
Before telegraphs or telephones, email or texts, Twitter or Facebook, letter writing was the only way to maintain connections with distant family and friends. During the Regency era, writing letters, reading them, and sharing the news they contained was an essential part of social life, one largely slated for the women of the household. Typically, women would write letters in the morning, before breakfast. They kept track of the letters they received and to whom … Continue reading →
We have a house full of cats and a dog who thinks she a momma-cat. They all have their own proper names. But they’ve also got multiple nicknames each. I may just incorporate a few of these regency Era slang terms as new nicknames for them! Cat Grimalkin. Tibby. Ram Cat. A he cat. Gib Cat. A northern name for a he-cat, there commonly called Gilbert. Cherry-coloured Cat. A black cat, their being black cherries as well as red. Smellers. A … Continue reading →
