Kristine Hughes's Blog, page 8

A Legacy of Needlework – Part Four – Keeping the Art Alive

Women have been turning their hands to needlework for centuries, both for pleasure and necessity. To be an accomplished needlewoman was one of the hallmarks of being a well bred lady and Englishwomen displayed their work on everything from clothing to linens to decorative objects such as rugs, firescreens and draperies. Depending on the age … Continue reading "A Legacy of Needlework – Part Four – Keeping the Art Alive"

YOU MIGHT BE A REGENCY REDNECK IF…

 It is that time of year once more! We at Number One London are inordinately fond of Christmas. We kick off the month of December with a Christmas favorite! CHRISTMAS EDITION I write Regency historical romance because I fell in love with the era at the age of nine, and my love has only grown … Continue reading "YOU MIGHT BE A REGENCY REDNECK IF…"

WORKING DOGS OF THE REGENCY – Herding Dogs

Louisa Cornell   The relationship between herding dogs and their masters is one of longest standing and in many ways the closest when it comes to dogs and humans during the Regency. Herding dogs were some of the hardest working dogs of the era, but they spent a great deal of time with their masters. … Continue reading "WORKING DOGS OF THE REGENCY – Herding Dogs"

WORKING DOGS OF THE REGENCY – Ratters

Louisa Cornell By the late 18th century, a new species of rat had invaded England. The brown or “Norway” rats were much larger and quite frankly more frightening than the common black rat indigenous to England. Catching and eliminating rats was considered the perfect job for the poorer citizens of England, especially those people born … Continue reading "WORKING DOGS OF THE REGENCY – Ratters"

WORKING DOGS OF THE REGENCY – Turnspit Dogs

Louisa Cornell These dogs were known by a number of names—Canis vertigus (Carl Linnaeus gave them this name in the 1700’s – “dizzy dog” because they were always spinning,) vernepator cur (Latin for “the dog that turns the wheel”) and more commonly, the turnspit dog. The first mention of them in written record was in … Continue reading "WORKING DOGS OF THE REGENCY – Turnspit Dogs"

REGENCY BOSS LADIES – Hester Bateman, Silversmith

Hester Bateman (1708-1794) The mark of Hester Bateman registered in 1761 (1708–1794). Mrs. Bateman, a silversmith of household silverware in London, used her special initials along with the standard hallmarks; the crown signifying a tax is paid to the crown, a lion which identifies the type of metal (sterling silver) and the h, a “date … Continue reading "REGENCY BOSS LADIES – Hester Bateman, Silversmith"

A TOUR GUIDE IN ENGLAND: DAY 2 – PART 2

After watching the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, Diane and I skirted St. James’s Park and noted all the glorious gardens in full bloom, above and below. Crossing the Mall, we then walked up the path that runs along Green Park up to Piccadilly, but instead we turned in at Milkmaid’s Passage as … Continue reading "A TOUR GUIDE IN ENGLAND: DAY 2 – PART 2"

REGENCY BOSS LADIES – Sarah Guppy, Inventor

SARAH GUPPY (1770-1852)   By Louisa Cornell Sarah Beach was born in Birmingham in 1770. She married Samuel Guppy, a Bristol businessman, in 1795. She took an early interest in his businesses which included an iron foundry and a nail factory to name a few. She was rather more sophisticated and better educated than her … Continue reading "REGENCY BOSS LADIES – Sarah Guppy, Inventor"

LET ME GIVE YOU MY CARD – A Brief History of Early Business Cards

Louisa Cornell These days anyone in any sort of business knows the advantage and efficiency an attractive and well-worded business card can provide. These small embossed pieces of card stock are a relatively inexpensive and quick way to get the word out about the services one offers. Tucked away in a potential customer’s wallet or … Continue reading "LET ME GIVE YOU MY CARD – A Brief History of Early Business Cards"

ARTISTS / CARICATURISTS OF THE REGENCY ERA – HENRY ALKEN(1785-1851) – PART TWO

Louisa Cornell I spent the three best years of my childhood in a little village in Suffolk – Kelsale – where I learned to ride and, more important, how not to ride. One of my prized possessions from those years is a little book of young rider themed cartoons entitled Angels on Horseback by the … Continue reading "ARTISTS / CARICATURISTS OF THE REGENCY ERA – HENRY ALKEN(1785-1851) – PART TWO"