Historical Research – Author Jennifer Hudson Taylor

Dec 06 2023

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A Traditional Christmas in Regency England

By jt4novels

When people think of an historical Christmas, they typically think of the Victorian Christmas that they have seen in Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. However, the Regency period was earlier between 1800-1820, which was part of the larger Georgian era from 1714 to 1830. The Victorian era followed after that between 1830-1901. As a result, there were a few traditions that were not yet part of the Christmas holiday. The Christmas celebrations typically began around advent, known as the fourth Sunday before Christmas Eve. Some would decorate as early as advent, while others might wait, even as late as Christmas Eve. The length at which they kept their decorations up could vary as well. Some would keep them up throughout Christmastide, the twelve days of Christmas, from December 25th through January 6th. Others kept their decorations up through Candlemas, February 2nd, the Feast of Presentation of Jesus Christ. The Christmas Regency Feast Christmas dinner was typically around 4 PM, but could vary from family to family and by region. As the evening progressed a Christmas toast was given to the season and gifts were given out, usually this was when servants also received their gifts and children would sing Christmas carols for entertainment. The first course for dinner would often be turtle soup or a white soup that was thick and creamy. Gravy soup could have ham or beef with a variety of onions and carrots and herbs. Fish was often served such as brile, gudgeons, crouch, perch, along with other seafood favorites like scallops and wilks, periwinkles, cockles, mussels, bearbet or hollebet. The main course typically included choices between roast beef, venison, mutton, goose, pheasant, or peacock. They typically created a stuffing for the fowl. Most households could only afford goose until the turkey was later introduced by Queen Victoria in the mid 1800’s. Side items included potatoes, squash, brussels sprouts and carrots. Since water was unsafe to drink, they usually had wine with their meal. (I haven’t found a source that indicated what the children drank.) Often, bakers cooked the meat for those households that contained small ovens. Many would pick up their food on the way home from church. For dessert there was Mince pie and Christmas pie. Recipes varied by region, but typical ingredients included beef, sugar, raisins, lemons, spices, orange peel, goose, tongue, fowls, eggs, apples and brandy. The pies were eaten each day for 12 days before Christmas to ensure good luck for the next 12 months of the new year. Talk about a chance to gain weight over the holidays! Another dessert was Christmas pudding, a mixture of 13 ingredients (representing Christ and the twelve apostles) which was boiled in a pudding cloth. Ingredients included suet, brown sugar, raisins, currants, citron, lemon and orange peels, spices, crumbs, flour, eggs, milk and brandy. Other desserts included Gingerbread and butter shortbread. Children enjoyed sugar plums and ginger nuts. Christmas Carols Caroling dates back to the middle ages. Songs such as: Here We Come a Wassailing, The Twelve Days of Christmas, The First Noel, Good Christian Men Rejoice and Greensleeves are all traditional carols from the Middle Ages. Caroling in the form of going from door to door had died out with the end of the feudal system in England and didn’t revive again until the Victorian period. In Jane Austen’s Regency era, family and friends typically spread good cheer in the comfort of their homes among gathered friends and family or at balls, dinners, small parties, and churches. O Come All Ye Faithful was first published in 1760, but not translated into English until 1841. Joy to the World was first published by Isaac Watts’ 1719 hymnal, The Psalms of David, but the modern version wasn’t written until 1836. Hark the Harold Angels Sing was first written in 1739 by Charles Wesley, amended in 1753 by George Whitfield, but the modern version of today wasn’t written until 1840 by Mendohlsson. Silent Night was written in 1816 by Joseph Mohr, but wasn’t translated into English until 1863. Christmas Trees & Decorations Typically, Christmas trees didn’t exist as they do now and did in the Victorian period. If a family did have a tree, it was a table top tree and quite plain. Decorations were live greenery with berries, including mistletoe, holly, ivy, rosemary, evergreen, hawthorn, laurel, box and firs. They burned the yule log as a tradition. It was HUGE and picked out and dried out from the year before. It wasn’t brought in until Christmas Eve and hoped to burn through the night and all through Christmas day. They didn’t exchange Christmas cards or multiple, elaborate gifts. If they did exchange gifts, it was usually one special hand-made item. Share with your connections:

For Love or Country on Floral Background

Oct 20 2023

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Burgwin-Wright House Setting in For Love or Country

By jt4novels

In 2014, my novel For Love or Loyalty was published, but it wasn’t until 2023 when I finally got a chance to visit the Burgwin-Wright House after I had researched it online and used it in my novel. This house is intriguing because it was constructed in 1770 on top of the old city jail dating back to 1744. Currently, it is the only colonial era built home that is open to the public in Wilmington, NC. This home was a perfect setting in my novel to blend in with my story which took place in 1781 during the Revolutionary War when the city was being occupied by the British Army, as well as occupying this house. At the time of my story, it was known as the Burgwin House, as it was not sold to the Wright family until 1799, even though they rented the home much earlier. For this reason, I referred to it in my novel as the Burgwin House. The British officer who took possession of the house was Major James H. Craig a real person who became a significant character in my novel and a formidable opponent to my heroine, Tyra MacGregor, a colonial spy. The major was the direct report for my hero, Captain Hugh Morgan, a British captain who ended up putting Tyra under house arrest and assigned to live at her family home to keep an eye on them. In my story, Tyra was invited to dine here at the Burgwin House the act of saving Captain Morgan from the Tuscorara Indians. Below are photos I took of the rooms she would have seen inside the home. Unlike most homes, the dining room is on the second floor to the right of the stairs and where large groups of entertaining would have happened, including balls and dancing. During my tour of the house, I learned that this was due to the lack of sanitation in those days. Being higher up helped to avoid the smell out on the street where chamber pots would have been dumped and possible horse droppings as well. The parlor is on the right and the study is on the left on the first floor from the front foyer area. The parlor is where they would have entertained a small number of guests from callers, to take tea and play card games. In my novel, Tyra is instructed to wait in the parlor while, Hugh goes into the study to report to his superior Major Craig. Also in the parlor is a pianoforte where ladies would provide musical entertainment. There is also a tall grandfather clock in this room with tall wood stands for candelabras for light in the evenings and at night. Below are more images of the first floor where my characters would have been. While my characters had no need to visit the family room or the bed chambers, I’ve included images of these rooms as well. These rooms are on the left side of the house where there is less sunlight, intended for more internal family use and less entertainment. The exception would have been overnight guests. Outside the home on the property are the gardens, the well, the kitchen house as well as the jail cells under the house dating back to before the house was built. These cells are exposed above ground and look out over the gardens today for the lesser criminals who would eventually be able to return home. In history, the jail cells faced the hanging posts as a deterrent to the lesser criminals not to progress into worse offenses once released. The worst criminals were kept under the house in a dungeon with no sunlight exposure until they were sentenced to hang by a judge. Many would often be left here for as long as a month before the judge arrived to provide their sentence. During this time, they were exposed to floods, cold drafts, and given just enough food and water to keep them alive for a public hanging. In my novel, For Love or Country, I wrote about a true life person as a character in my book, Cornelius Harnett. He was a politician and an American Revolutionary War hero who was betrayed to the British. They captured and bound him and paraded him on the back of a horse like a sack of potatoes in front of the public. They locked him in a block house that was exposed to the cold elements. He grew ill and eventually was released, but didn’t live long and passed away in April 1781. In my novel, my heroine sees this incident happening to him and becomes even more determined to do what she can to further the cause in favor of independence from the crown. While Major Craig spent most of his time occupying the house, after the Battle of Guilford Courthouse (my hometown in Greensboro, NC), General Lord Cornwallis brought his troops to Wilmington to rest and recuperate. He took over the house for three weeks and the major had to temporarily move out. Afterwards, it became known as The Cornwallis House. This incident is also covered in my novel. General Cornwallis hosted a significant dinner party while here. Share with your connections:

Man and woman wearing Victorian mourning clothing

Sep 09 2023

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Victorian Mourning & Grieving Customs

By jt4novels

While most people are familiar with people wearing black during a period of mourning in the old days, many are not aware of additional customs that society expected of grieving families. Many of these customs were most likely imposed upon your own family ancestors. If you enjoy reading historical fiction, it might help to understand some of these customs from fashion to pure superstitions. But first, when exactly was the Victorian period? The Victorian Era stretched through the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901). It was the coming of the Industrial Age, a time of great scientific breakthroughs, and an era filled with many social customs and elaborate superstitions. It was a time of mass emigration to the United States from all over the world. How Migrations from Europe Impacted Mourning Customs in America Because of the huge English population that came to America, many of the social and fashion mourning customs so popular in England under Queen Victoria’s reign carried to the U.S. The only difference, is that some of the second and third generations of Americans tended to be a little less strict with these mourning customs, especially those that lived in the wilderness and had to work hard to make ends meet and to survive. Social customs and expectations became less important when it came down to making logical decisions for survival through farming, harvesting and winter needs. Even up until recently, many families still tended to wear black and dark colors when attending funerals and burial ceremonies. This behavior is the lingering effects from expectations handed down from the Victorian era. Victorian Fashion Rules During Mourning Unlike today, there were various stages of mourning attire for particular loved ones, and people adhered to these strict rules, especially in England and many of the well established areas of the US. Mourning was the hardest and lasted the longest for widows. Widows During the first year, widows were expected to refuse all social invitations including weddings and christenings. The only visits allowed were from close relatives and church services. A widow would wear a dress made of black crepe for the first year. Her bonnet was typically made of black crepe with a widow’s cap inside and a dark veil with a deep hem. After the first year and a day, a widow could begin wearing black silk. For the next six months, it would be heavily trimmed in crepe until the eighteenth month. Prior to this no jewelry was acceptable. After two years, a widow was allowed to come out of morning and wear regular colors and jewelry again. However, some considered it more tasteful to continue wearing dark colors and grays in half-mourning for another six months. Death of Parents or a Child People would be in full mourning for a year. The first six months they wore paramatta with crepe trim. Then they would wear three months in black and the last three months in half-mourning. Death of a Sibling People would be in mourning for six months. The first three months they wore crepe and the last three months they wore black attire. Death of Aunts and Uncles They wore black for three months. Death of First Cousins People spent six weeks in black. Ways to Preserve Dead Bodies in the Victorian Era A cooling board was used to keep bodies cool in the summer while waiting for burial. Vinegar water was put on the bodies to keep them from turning dark in the heat. In remote areas, the body may have been temporarily placed in a cooling cellar. Preserving Memories of Loved Ones in Victorian Times Once tiny type photos became available, people would place a black ribbon over the corner of the deceased person’s photo and that is how they carried it. The photo below is an example of a type of photo and black ribbon that was carried by a loved one in mourning. If no photo was available and they could, families would have a photographer take a photo of the deceased person before they buried them. This is especially true of parents mourning their children. Most kept lockets of hair from the deceased to use in jewelry or used the hair in arrangements and frames to remember them. Many families had portraits done with deceased. If the deceased was a child, the father usually held the infant in the family portrait. If the deceased was an adult, they often propped the body up in the family group for the photo with the photographer painting in open eyes. Black cloths were draped over all mirrors in the home. Most kept lockets of hair from the deceased to use in jewelry or used the hair in arrangements and frames to remember them. Victorian Superstitions During the Victorian Era Other Notations Please Note: I am not superstitious and I believe God has gifted us with freedom from these type of strongholds. I know I am free in Christ and I pray that you are. I am only listing them because if we write and read about families who lived in the Victorian era, we need to understand where some of their traditions came from and the motivation behind their behavior and culture. Note about the above images: The main photo of the man and woman in Victorian mourning fashion are two reenactors I met during during a Civil War reenactment at the Bost Grist Mill in 2009. Beverly Capps is the woman in the image and the historical researcher who provided the other images and most of these details. The man in the image beside her is of her brother, but I did not get his full name. 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Aug 08 2023

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Writing in the Regency Era – Online Resources

By jt4novels

I confess, I’ve written a Regency historical novel. And upon my word, I am quite determined to master this era! The Rules There are many strict societal rules that one’s character must know, maintain and behave accordingly. If one’s character behaves inappropriately for the era, that character must have a well-established motivation. The Regency fashion, dialogue, and customs govern the structure of a Regency novel. Therefore, much research and knowledge must go into writing one. What is the Regency Era? The specific Regency period is considered to be a short time frame between 1811 – 1820, in the United Kingdom when King George III was deemed unfit to rule and his son was instated to be his proxy as Prince Regent. However, many consider the era to be much larger between 1795 – 1837, especially if one considers the Regency Era a transitional period between the Georgian and Victorian eras. Online Regency Resources I wanted to share a few online resources that I have found very helpful in writing my Regency. I’ve included the title of the website or webpage, the link, and a brief description. Please note: I cannot vouch for the accuracy of every detail on these websites. Please make sure you find at least three resources to back up a reference and use your own judgment. Candice Hern’s Regency World – https://candicehern.com/regency-world – A great resource of Regency information from a author who writes many Regency based novels. Christian Regency – http://www.christianregency.com – Several links to Regency information on various topics and owned by Author Vanessa Riley. Jane Austen Today – http://janitesonthejames.blogspot.com/ – A blog that explores Regency period author, Jane Austen, as we see her today in movies, prints, sequels, websites and other modern media. It delves into other historical periods as well. Jane Austen’s World – http://janeaustensworld.wordpress.com/ – A blog that strives to bring to life Jane Austen’s novels and the Regency Period through food, dress, social customs, and other 19th century historical details. The Beau Monde – http://www.thebeaumonde.com/ – A writing group for writers who write Regencies. One must be a member of Romance Writers of America, since this is an RWA chapter. Fashions in Time – http://www.fashionsintime.com/html/regency.html – Lady’s costume fashions in the Regency era. You can order your own costume fashions to be made for your measurements and size. Nancy Mayer, Regency Researcher – http://www.regencyresearcher.com – Links and resources from a Regency author who has been researching the period for a number of years. Old Book Art – http://www.oldbookart.com – Historical images that are now out of copyright and in the public domain. Prints Old & Rare – Fox Hunting – http://www.printsoldandrare.com/foxhunting – Historical prints and images of fox hunting scenes. Susanne Dietze’s Regency Research Links – https://www.susannedietze.com/regency-research-links.html – Includes categories of peerage, time and place, amusements, fashion, church, marriage, mourning, Parliament and politics, children and education, home and garden, currency and commerce. Regency Lingo – https://regrom.com/regency-lingo – Common used phrases and terms used in the Regency era on the Regency Reader blog. Regency Yuletide – https://regencyyuletide.blogspot.com – The Definitive Guide to Christmas in Regency England with quotes, recipes, and games to reveal what Christmas was like during the time of Jane Austen. Remember the “holy” in holiday, and let poets and songwriters from the past enliven your experience today. Share this article or images with your connections:

Aug 07 2023

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Why Jane Austen Would be the in the Slush Pile Today

By jt4novels

Don’t misunderstand me. I am a huge #JaneAusten fan and in many ways I believe she was ahead of her time. In spite of her popularity and movie success, if you compare the quality of her writing to what is required of writers today, she would not be published in today’s market. In fact, her manuscripts would be allocated to the slush piles until the dreaded rejection letter arrived in her email box. Getting noticed and published by a traditional publisher has always been hard for new authors–and each year it seems to get harder. There are so many industry standards and writing rules that authors must write by until they have the sales to back them up and they can break those rules. Below are a few set of rules we must follow today that doesn’t seem to appear to be part of the Regency time period. Show, Don’t Tell The carriages were then ordered; Willoughby’s was first, and Marianne never looked happier than when she got into it. He drove through the park very fast, and they were soon out of sight; and nothing more of them was seen till their return, which did not happen till after the return of all the rest. Here is an example of how it could have been written to show rather than tell. The servants brought the carriages around, leading with Willoughby’s shiny black curricle. He extended his hand to Marianne. She beamed with excitement as her smile reached each glowing cheek. Accepting his assistance, she glanced up at Willoughby with trusting eyes full of adoration. He climbed in beside her and snapped the reins. The horses launched into a canter and the curricle rolled down the lane leaving a cloud of dust trailing behind them. Marianne laughed in delight and gripped her hat to keep it from blowing away. Cut Unnecessary Words While Jane Austen’s writing style is of another time in our history when people generally talked different, the way she phrased her sentences is often too wordy. Today’s readers would never tolerate such wordiness from a new writer, and therefore, neither would today’s publishers. Below is another example from Sense & Sensibility. The sudden termination of Colonel Brandon’s visit at the park, with his steadiness in concealing its cause, filled the mind, and raised the wonder of Mrs. Jennings for two or three days; she was a great wonderer, as every one must be who takes a lively interest in all the comings and goings of all their acquaintance. It could have been simply stated: For several days, Mrs. Jennings continued to wonder about the reason behind Colonel Brandon’s sudden departure. No Head Hopping The chapters often begin in an omniscient POV, giving a general description of the scene and the feelings and viewpoint of each character. At various times the scenes will swap between Elinor and Marianne’s point of view, and on occasion, even their mother within the same scene. Writers today are not allowed to head-hop, which is switching from one character’s POV within the same scene without a transition, scene or a chapter break. Be Consistent This may have only been an editing mistake, but there are times when the girls’ mother is referred to as Mamma and as Mama. The spelling variations are not always consistent. Writer’s today are taught the rule of consistency. If we choose to spell something one way, stay with it throughout the story. For example if you start out spelling inquiry, you cannot later use the spelling of enquiry. I have only listed a few cardinal writing rules, but these few are enough to cause a new writer of today to be rejected by most publishers. Jane Austen would not be published by today’s standards without further editing. Because her work is well-known and considered a classic, today’s readers still buy and read her work. She still sells more than most midlist authors of today. Share this article with your connections: