Naval Officers: Self-made gentlemen
Naval service was different than the other branches of the military, and naval officers different than army officers.
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Camp followers in the long Georgian era
I’d like to welcome Jude Knight today as she shares a fascinating article on the role of camp followers during the the Georgian and regency era. To our modern minds, it seems strange to think of civilians, including women and children, travelling into combat zones. Yet until the second half of the nineteenth century, civilians were an essential part of how armies worked. Collectively, anyone who followed the army that was not a soldier was called a … Continue reading →
From the Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue: Soldiers
I have to admit, all the research on the army, officers, militia and war has left me rather down, so I thought I would post something a little more light hearted on the subject today. I am captivated by language and how it relates to a culture. With three teen aged sons living at home with me I get to hear a lot of the slang they encounter and I never cease to be fascinated … Continue reading →
The Militia-A Different Breed of Officer
In Austen’s Pride and Prejudice we encounter a military regiment temporarily stationed in Meryton. These men are members of the militia, not the regular army (discussed in the last post.) While at first blush, there may seem little difference between the regular army (the Regulars) and the militia, the differences are striking and significant. What was the Militia? The militia served as a peace keeping force on home soil. History had taught that a … Continue reading →
An Officer and a Gentleman
In Jane Austen’s writing we encounter many military men: Colonel Brandon, Colonel Fitzwilliam, Captain and General Tilney, Lieutenants Wickham and Denny. In her tales we often read of how these men purchased their commissions, but what was the motivation for doing so and how did the process work? Being an officer made you a gentleman In the Regency era, social status was closely related to career and wealth. An Army officer or Navy officer … Continue reading →