Kristine Hughes's Blog, page 4

WHAT’S IN A NAME – The Changing World of London’s Street Names

Louisa Cornell As an author of historical romance who likes to avoid anachronisms whenever possible, an important aspect of setting any story in Regency London is getting the street names properly assigned. Seems an easy enough thing to do. Simply consult a map of London, right? Not exactly. Remember London between 1780 and 1840 was …

“Oh, a cottage! How charming. A little cottage is always very snug.”

(From Sense and Sensibility – 1995 Film) *CAVEAT FOR THIS SERIES OF POSTS* This series of posts will endeavor to explain the different categories and names given to the various historical homes in England. There are specific criteria that define each type of home by the reasons for which it was built and the purpose … Continue reading "“Oh, a cottage! How charming. A little cottage is always very snug.”"

A PALACE IS A PALACE – ROYALTY OPTIONAL

*CAVEAT FOR THIS SERIES OF POSTS* This series of posts will endeavor to explain the different categories and names given to the various historical homes in England. There are specific criteria that define each type of home by the reasons for which it was built and the purpose it served in the lives of those … Continue reading "A PALACE IS A PALACE – ROYALTY OPTIONAL"

WHAT MAKES A CASTLE A CASTLE?

*CAVEAT FOR THIS SERIES OF POSTS* This series of posts will endeavor to explain the different categories and names given to the various historical homes in England. There are specific criteria that define each type of home by the reasons for which it was built and the purpose it served in the lives of those … Continue reading "WHAT MAKES A CASTLE A CASTLE?"

WHEN IS A STATELY HOME NOT A STATELY HOME?

LOUISA CORNELL The obsession of all three of the authors of this blog with visiting the UK in general and English stately homes in particular is well-documented. If you visit our blog with any frequency I daresay you are as big a fan of English stately homes as we are. One would think any old, … Continue reading "WHEN IS A STATELY HOME NOT A STATELY HOME?"

An Account of Queen Charlotte’s Drawing Room 1818

  The following first-hand account of his attendance at Queen Charlotte’s Drawing Room was recorded by Richard Rush, American Ambassador to Great Britain, in his Memoranda of a Residence at the Court of London, Comprising Incidents Official and Personal from 1819 to 1825 (Lea & Blanchard, 1845. 1st ed.).  If you’ve not read the book, I … Continue reading "An Account of Queen Charlotte’s Drawing Room 1818"

A STROLL THROUGH ETON

Back in 2014, Victoria and I stayed in Windsor for a few days after the Duke of Wellington Tour had ended. One of the things we did was to take a leisurely stroll across the River and walk the length of Eton’s perfectly preserved, and rather deserted, High Street.           Through … Continue reading "A STROLL THROUGH ETON"

THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

December 25th My Own Heart – The London coach arrived today, bringing with it your gift of a partridge and a pear tree. You are too clever by half!Yours For Eternity December 26th My Love – Two turtle doves! How simply smashing. I cannot wait to see you again that I might thank you personally. … Continue reading "THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS"

CHRISTMAS PAST – IN THEIR OWN WORDS

What would Christmas be without our trimming the tree? Some believe that it was Prince Albert who introduced the custom of the Christmas tree to England, while others maintain that they were introduced to England by King George III’s German wife, Queen Charlotte. However, it was only circa 1848, after the London Illustrated News ran the engraving depicting showing Queen Victoria and … Continue reading "CHRISTMAS PAST – IN THEIR OWN WORDS"

On The Shelf: A London Year

  A London Year: 365 Days of City Life in Diaries, Journals and Letters Edited by Travis Elborough and Nick Rennison Not since Hibbert and Weintraub edited The London Encyclopedia has there been a book that has taken London history and served it up in so enjoyable, usable and entertaining a package. Taking entries from letters, diaries … Continue reading "On The Shelf: A London Year"