As my Regency intrigue novella, LOVE AND WAR is now priced at 0.99c on Amazon.com, I thought I’d share some of the romance of the Regency.
The Fashions
Regency gowns were influenced by the Napoleonic era, and were Classical in style. By 1816 waists were at their highest under the bust, gradually dropping until the 1830s, when they took on the style of the Victorian era, as sleeves and skirts became fuller.
Opposite: Early 19th Century silk spencers. 1820s Dress of white silk striped with blue having a chiné effect. A velvet dress of soft violet. 1830s dress of red moire.The Houses
Grovelands Prior, Southgate, North London was built in 1797-8 by John Nash who drew inspiration from the Palladian style of Classical architecture in the Renaissance era.
During the 16th Century, Venetian architect, Andrea Palladio was most influenced by the Ancient Greek and Roman’s classical temple architecture. In 17th Century Europe, Palladio's interpretation of this classical architecture was adapted as the style known as Palladianism. It continued to develop until the end of the 18th century. The style influenced many of the great houses of Britain. Its Doric columns, pediments, symmetry and proportions are clearly evident in the design of many modern buildings today.
Inigo Jones was the designer of the Queen’s House, Greenwich, begun in 1616, the first English Palladian house.
The Food
The dinner was as well dressed as any I ever saw. The venison was roasted to a turn--and everybody said they never saw so fat a haunch. The soup was fifty times better than what we had at the Lucases' last week; and even Mr Darcy acknowledged, that the partridges were remarkably well done; and I suppose he has two or three French cooks at least. And, my dear Jane, I never saw you look in greater beauty. Mrs Long said so too, for I asked her whether you did not. -Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
Regency Etiquette
The Mirror of Graces (1811) By A Lady of Distinction
The remedy for Tooth-ache
In two drachms of recified spirits of wine dissolve one drachm of camphire, five grains of prepared opium, and ten drops of oil of box; mix them well, and keep it well corked for use. Four or five drops on cotton to be put into the tooth; or six or seven drops to be put into the ear. Should the patient not feel easier in a quarter of an hour, the same may be repeated. It has never failed on the second application.
On Deportment
‘The awkward, reserved air of the early part of the last century has given way, not to grace and frankness, but to an unblushing impudence, which is the very assassin of female virtue and connubial behavior.’
Carriage and Demeanour
‘…her manners must bear due affinity with her figure, and her deportment with her rank. The youthful and delicate shaped girl is allowed a gaiety of air which would ill-become a woman of mature years and larger proportions; but at all times of life; when the figure is slender, with a swanlike neck, and the motions are naturally swaying for that girl or that woman to affect what is called a majestic air, would be as unavailing as absurd.’
Some sage advice for surviving crowded balls and soirées.
The person, when overheated, should always be allowed to cool gradually, and of itself, without any more violent assistant than perhaps the gentle undulation of the neighbouring air by a fan. Streams of wind from opened doors and windows or what is called a thorough air, are all bad and highly dangerous applications. Excessive heat, as well as excessive cold, is apt to cause distempers of the skin.Maggi Andersen
LOVE AND WAR
Selena couldn't accuse him of paying her Spanish coin! Gyles Devereux made it clear he had no wish to marry at all but was constrained by his circumstances. She could not be expected to keep refusing Lord Devereux, she thought crossly. She was only flesh and blood after all. What woman on earth could resist the pleas of a man such as Devereux?
Masterpieces of Women’s Costume of the 18th and 19th Centuries. Dover Publications Inc.
Georgian House Style Ingrid Cranfield David & Charles Ltd. 1997
Louis Hellman Architecture for Beginners 1986.
The Mirror of Graces (1811) By A Lady of Distinction
Images from Wikipedia
