Paula Brackston's Blog, page 3

Brackston’s Bean Boggling Bookish Bits Part V

Last week we had an excerpt from ‘The Case of the Fickle Mermaid’, well done again to those that had a stab at this. It’s extremely nice to receive such positive feedback and engagement from you all. This week I have a new quote for you all

‘‘All I need is some new rubber ferrules for my sticks. There must be an outdoorsy shop here where I can buy some. Only a few more yards.’’ She hobbled on, her expression giving away the effort the short journey was costing her.

The smoother paving stones that bordered the high street were far simpler for her mother to navigate. What neither of them had anticipated was the bustle of shoppers so early on in the day.’

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Yggdrasil

Yggdrasil – Today’s word of the week comes from Norse Mythology. Anyone that knows me personally will know I am a huge fan of anything Norse, so much so in fact that I got this tattoo of Mimir last week. This tattoo is linked to the Mythology but is heavily inspired by the God of War game franchise that I adore. I plan on completing this tattoo by having the Yggdrasil tree wrap around the other side of my arm and slightly entwine with Mimir’s head.

Origins – a huge ash tree located at the centre of the earth, with three roots, one extending to Niflheim (the underworld), one to Jotunheim (land of the giants), and one to Asgard (land of the gods). It also connects the Nine Realms of the cosmos.

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Brackston’s Bean Boggling Bookish Bits Part IV

I was extremely happy to see people leaping to tell me last week’s quote was from the Detective Gretel series! The series deserves all the love it receives. This week we have a slightly more difficult one but with one major hint.

‘‘Necessity, brother mine, is the mother of invention, the sister of resourcefulness, and the second cousin twice removed of ingenuity. Here, take hold of this,’’ she said, handing him the corset she had removed many long hours ago. Using the stays, they fastened the helpfully capacious garment to the mast and boom. At once the wind caught it, sending the boat sculling across the sea.’’

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Astrolabe

Astrolabe – Used by Benedict Fairfax in the Secrets of The Chocolate House and The Garden of Promises and Lies to time travel. Most commonly made of brass but the better preserved surviving examples are made from iron or copper. The details within tend to be made from either silver or gold, making these quite valuable.

Origins – a circular device used from ancient times until about the 18th century for measuring the position of stars, and on ships for calculating the ship’s position.

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Brackston’s Bean Boggling Bookish Bits Part III

Wednesday rolls around again, as does ‘Brackston’s Bean Boggling Bookish Bits’! Last weeks segment was from ‘The Witch’s Daughter’ and was a quote from Dr Gimmel. Very much well done to those who had guessed it right. This week I will try one a bit trickier to really test those memories of yours.

“All hobgoblins are but a single family. Everyone is a brother, a cousin, an uncle.”

“But you live solitary lives?”

“We do. For us it is enough to have a residence and its residents to care for.”

“You do appear most contented, I must say. One might have thought this particular residence – not to mention these particular residents – would encourage a downbeat demeanour. And yet you whistle and smile”.

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Cariad

Cariad –  This week’s word breaks rules as it is Welsh not English. However, is close to my heart as I grew up in the depths of the Brecon Beacons in South Wales. ‘The Winter Witch’ features this word many times as it is set in Welsh Wales. Original present for Valentine’s day. What is special about the love spoon that Cai gave to Morgana?

Origins – Welsh for Darling, love or sweetheart

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Brackston’s Bean Boggling Bookish Bits Part II

As it is Wednesday, it is time for ‘Brackston’s Bean Boggling Bookish Bits’!

‘‘Here we have it,’’ he said. ‘‘Aha, yes … in tolerable condition except for the stone. Scalpel, if you please, Nurse Morrison. Thank you. Now, a small amount of cutting is all that is needed … yes … and here … Damnation!’’ Abruptly the doctor stopped cutting. As he straightened up, a fountain of deepest crimson spouted up from the abdominal cavity. In a second, it fanned into a plume, spraying the nurse with glistening arterial blood.’

Thank you to everyone that had a stab at last weeks passage. It was great to see that everyone knew it was in the ‘Found Things’ series. However, the clue was that music halls were not invented until 1852 and would mean that this passage has to be from ‘City of Time and Magic’!

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Phantasmagoria

Phantasmagoria – tried to include it in every book up until the Found Things Series (A noun – A sequence of real or imaginary images like that seen in a dream)

Origins – Early nineteenth century. A word coined for the London exhibition of 1802 of optical illusions produced by a magic lantern. From the French Fantasme

Has anyone noticed this word in any of the books or have you ever used it yourself? It is often used to talk about ghosts.

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Regency vs Victorian Clothing – Historical Nuggets Part I

Click here to go to our Facebook PageIntroduction

This month marks the first to come of the new ‘Skyla Investigates: Book-inspired Historical Nuggets’ series, in which I look into different historical or book related topics. And unfortunately, no, chicken nuggets will not be involved in this process. I will be picking topics that I know little about so this journey can be as much about myself learning as you might too. In January we will be looking at the differences between Regency vs Victorian Clothing. Deciphering the different fabrics, designs, purposes and inspirations between the two. At the end I will decide which era I would rather wear from day to day and my probably feeble reasons for my choice.

The Regency Era

The Regency era only spanned from 1811 to 1820. However, even in such a short period of time, there were quite a few different outfits to choose from. Famously, the ‘Empire line’ dresses were trending at this time and will be my focus for today. With their high bodice that sat just below the bust, they gave the illusion of an extremely high waist. It also allowed room for those of us with a muffin top to have a more flattering looking shape overall. This design was most flattering on those with a slightly smaller at the top and wider at the bottom body shape as it flowed elegantly in all the right places. Although they had a flowing middle, the majority of the time a corset is worn underneath. This emphasised and accentuated the bust and waist to create an even more hourglass look. Corsets themselves are an entire tangent that I will swerve towards another day.

  An example of the Regency era is Pride and Prejudice, written in 1813 it is in the centre of it. In the film adaptation, Keira Knightley wears an assortment of different Empire line dresses. As she was not a peasant, her outfits tended to be made of better-quality material. These were much more glamorous than your average everyday dress. The shape of the dress didn’t change much even if the material or person wearing it did. Regency era dresses customarily were made of lightweight and draping fabrics like muslin and fine linen or cotton. In The Garden of Promises and Lies, Empire line dresses were featured heavily. This is one of my main reasons for delving into the typical shape and fabric of the dresses.  

The Late Victorian Era

  Late Victorian era I will be referring to is 1870 to 1901 as that is when the ‘Natural Form’ dresses came into fashion. This time period is also referred to in both the City of Time and Magic and The Haunting of Hecate Cavendish (coming 23rd of July!). The Natural Form typically has a ‘bustle’ on the rear. Although it looks uncomfortable to sit in, generally the bustle sat just above the buttocks to allow for comfortable and elegant sitting. The dresses worn at the time were commonly quite uncomfortable anyway, so what’s a small bustle at your rear? These dresses were additionally designed to keep you warm as you gracefully roamed the many halls of your manor house by being made of materials like silk, taffeta and wool. In contrast to the lighter and more flowing empire line design, you could absolutely take an evening walk in the brisk winter months with little to no trouble. A good example of Natural Form dresses are in the television series ‘Ripper Street’, particularly the glorious bustles!

Another reason I chose the late Victorian era is a part of the trend was to have a crinoline underneath your skirts. A redeeming part of crinoline was that you could use the toilet without having to show even an ankle! I enjoy seeing the transition from looking like you are wearing a teapot cozy in the 1860’s to having a slim and elegant dress in the 1870’s. Clothing trends changing significantly every decade still holds true to this very day.

Conclusion

Personally, I think this design of the Natural Form looks far more flattering and elegant than the Empire line. Albeit less practical and not ideal for dog walking or gymnastics, the visual appeal is much more. Plus, who doesn’t love a good bustle? Additionally, I do not have the shape for an Empire line. They do make me look like I have taken a very deep breath and am holding it in. In the battle of Regency vs Victorian Clothing, Late Victorian takes the cake. Please join me next month for another dose of historical nonsense and nuggets of information you never knew you needed.

Click here for my previous PA blog!

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Brackston’s Bean Boggling Bookish Bits Part I

We will be starting a new weekly tradition! The catchy name we have come up with is ‘Brackston’s Bean Boggling Bookish Bits’ or ‘BBBBB’ for short. A phrase of mine that I use frequently is ‘boggled my beans!’, meaning something similar to blowing my mind. The idea of this is simple, I will put a few sentences from one of Mum’s books on the post and you lovely lot have to guess which book it’s from. Bonus points for page number. I will then edit the post the following week with the answer. Here is today’s quote:

‘‘I came in search of work’’ she replied. ‘‘I am a singer. I was hoping to find employment in one of the music halls.’’ She waited to see how  the woman would react to this news. A music hall singer, a woman who disported herself upon the stage for the entertainment of others, could often be viewed as little more respectable than a prostitute. She was pleased to see no sign of judgement in her expression.’

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