Ann Lethbridge's Blog, page 13
November 24, 2014
Regency Fashion - November 1814
This is a half dress, something to wear around the house when not expecting company? It is the apron that makes me think this, though the whole thing is pretty glam.
And more stripes, as we saw in the last gown for this month in this year.
From Ackermann's Repository the description is as follows:
Green satin striped sarsnet frock, ornamented round the bottom with a rich border, embroidered with shaded chenille; long full sleeve, confined at the wrist, and trimmed with Vandyke lace.
A bodice and apron made of clear muslin, trimmed entirely round with Vandyke lace, and headed with a double row of white satin ribband; falling collar, trimmed to correspond.
Cap composed of blond lace and satin tied under the chin with a silk cord and tassel.
Neck-chain and heart of Oriental gold.
Gloves, Limerick or French kid. Sandals of striped kid.
I love the way this model looks in this cap, but I have the feeling it would not suit everyone, ie me. A bit too floppy.
Until next time.
And more stripes, as we saw in the last gown for this month in this year.From Ackermann's Repository the description is as follows:
Green satin striped sarsnet frock, ornamented round the bottom with a rich border, embroidered with shaded chenille; long full sleeve, confined at the wrist, and trimmed with Vandyke lace.
A bodice and apron made of clear muslin, trimmed entirely round with Vandyke lace, and headed with a double row of white satin ribband; falling collar, trimmed to correspond.
Cap composed of blond lace and satin tied under the chin with a silk cord and tassel.
Neck-chain and heart of Oriental gold.
Gloves, Limerick or French kid. Sandals of striped kid.
I love the way this model looks in this cap, but I have the feeling it would not suit everyone, ie me. A bit too floppy.
Until next time.
November 17, 2014
Athlelhampton Part 3
No doubt you noticed the door to the right inside that lovely oriel window we looked the last time we visited Athlehampton. If not you can go back and take a peak here. That stone arched door led into what is called the King's Ante Room.
It is a small room and far more cozy than that of the Great Hall. But it had several doors leading off from it, clearly a transitional space, but with a peculiar charm.
Needless to say, finding a neat little passage into a room like this is what makes the adventuring into
Regency England so worthwhile.
There are a couple of items of note in this ante room other than its delightful quaintness, perfect for a scene in a novel,on is the item on the table on the right. It is a Coade-stone torchere by Coade and Sealy, Lambeth, 1810, part of a set of ten that once belonged to the Prince of Wales.
The second is the large portrait. This is Princess Sophia, daughter of George III believed to have been the mother of an illegitimate son who lived not far away at Islington House in Puddletown.
My newest novel, Captured Countess will be in stores on tomorrow, you can purchase print copies on line at:
Amazon UK
Amazon US
Amazon Canada
Barnes and Noble
Chapters Indigo Canada
Or your favourite bookstore
The e-book will be out on December 1, so I will post links for your convenience on that day too.
Until next time
It is a small room and far more cozy than that of the Great Hall. But it had several doors leading off from it, clearly a transitional space, but with a peculiar charm.
Needless to say, finding a neat little passage into a room like this is what makes the adventuring into
Regency England so worthwhile.There are a couple of items of note in this ante room other than its delightful quaintness, perfect for a scene in a novel,on is the item on the table on the right. It is a Coade-stone torchere by Coade and Sealy, Lambeth, 1810, part of a set of ten that once belonged to the Prince of Wales.
The second is the large portrait. This is Princess Sophia, daughter of George III believed to have been the mother of an illegitimate son who lived not far away at Islington House in Puddletown.My newest novel, Captured Countess will be in stores on tomorrow, you can purchase print copies on line at:
Amazon UK
Amazon US
Amazon Canada
Barnes and Noble
Chapters Indigo Canada
Or your favourite bookstore
The e-book will be out on December 1, so I will post links for your convenience on that day too.
Until next time
November 10, 2014
Athelhampton - Part II
Athelhampton Great Hall is a masterpiece of fifteenth century domestic architecture.
How exciting to discover that the timbered roof is more or less the way it was built before 1500.
You will recall the outside of the house and that oriel window in the corner. Here it is from the inside. It would not have been in the corner originally, since the wing was added later.
This window contains fine tracery and sixteenth century heraldic glass depicting marriage alliances of the family.
It is this great hall I am using in the novel I have just completed, the Duke's Daring Debutante, though it is set much closer to London. It has a lovely Gothic feel, and it is the site of one of Thomas Hardy's short stories The Waiting Supper.
This view of the fireplace gives such a wonderful perspective of the grandeur of this hall. A truly magnificent and impressive space for its time.
One can only imagine our Regency folks complaining of the drafts and the cost to heat it.
The linenfold panelling is particularly lovely in its delicacy.
The tapestry above the fireplace is Flemish, "Sampson slaying the Philistines with the jaw bone of an ass." and is dated as late sixteenth/early seventeenth century.
An the piece de resistence as we artistic types like to say, the Screen.
This is set in the original position, though a later version and separates the Hall from what were the service areas, and of course the front door.
It boasts a very fine George III mahogany and gilt organ on the minstrels' gallery above.
More to come, until next time
How exciting to discover that the timbered roof is more or less the way it was built before 1500.
You will recall the outside of the house and that oriel window in the corner. Here it is from the inside. It would not have been in the corner originally, since the wing was added later.
This window contains fine tracery and sixteenth century heraldic glass depicting marriage alliances of the family.
It is this great hall I am using in the novel I have just completed, the Duke's Daring Debutante, though it is set much closer to London. It has a lovely Gothic feel, and it is the site of one of Thomas Hardy's short stories The Waiting Supper.
This view of the fireplace gives such a wonderful perspective of the grandeur of this hall. A truly magnificent and impressive space for its time. One can only imagine our Regency folks complaining of the drafts and the cost to heat it.
The linenfold panelling is particularly lovely in its delicacy.
The tapestry above the fireplace is Flemish, "Sampson slaying the Philistines with the jaw bone of an ass." and is dated as late sixteenth/early seventeenth century.
An the piece de resistence as we artistic types like to say, the Screen.
This is set in the original position, though a later version and separates the Hall from what were the service areas, and of course the front door.
It boasts a very fine George III mahogany and gilt organ on the minstrels' gallery above.
More to come, until next time
November 6, 2014
Regency Fashion November 1814
From Ackermann's Repository
Now I am not sure about your idea, but this looks far from warm. Nor do I much like the Vandyke French ruff. What do you think?
Walking Dress
An Italian striped sarsnet lilac-coloured dress, ornamented round the bottom with a double quilling of satin ribband; short full sleeve, trimmed to correspond; the fronts of the dress cross the bosom and form an open stomacher; a Vandyke French ruff, and full bordered cap to correspond.
The satin straw hat, tied under the chin with a check or striped Barcelona handkerchief, crossing the crown with a small plume of ostrich feathers in the front.
French shawl, a white twill, embroidered with shaded scarlet and green silks, and fancifully disposed on the figure.
Gloves, Limerick of York tan, drawn over the elbow. Half-boots of York tan or pale buff kid.
Until next time
November 2, 2014
Captured Countess December 2014
Bragging just a little
Four Star Review for Captured Countess
Adventure, sensuality and Romance are beautifully blended as Lethbridge's captive/captor spy vs. spy tale unfolds. REaders will be easily drawn in by intrigue as the author carefully builds her plot, wrapping the reader in a web of deceit, mystery and passion. This is a quick exiting tale that Lethbridge's fans will devour - Romantic TimesNever trust a spy! Nicoletta, the Countess Vilandry, is on a dangerous mission—to lure fellow spy Gabriel D'Arcy into bed and into revealing his true loyalties. With such sensual games at play and such strong sensations awakened, suddenly Nicky's dangerously close to exposing her real identity. Gabe knows that the countess has been sent to seduce him. The only question is to what end? He's never met such a captivating woman—and he's determined to enjoy every seductive second she spends as his very willing captive!
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Chapters Indigo Canada
October 23, 2014
Regency Fashion October 1814
October is clearly the month for walking at Ackermann's
An evening primrose-coloured French sarsnet petticoat, trimmed round the bottom with a double border of clear muslin, drawn full with a narrow ribband of corresponding colour to the petticoat; high body of jaconot muslin, with reversed drawings; long sleeve, drawn to correspond. A silk ruff.
A silk net handkerchief-sash, tied in streamers and small bows behind.
A Shipton straw bonnet, tied under the chin with a net handkerchief crossing the crown, and trimmed with a band of the same silk net.
Sandals of evening primrose-coloured kid. Gloves to correspond.
Very smart. And more sandals.
Until next time
An evening primrose-coloured French sarsnet petticoat, trimmed round the bottom with a double border of clear muslin, drawn full with a narrow ribband of corresponding colour to the petticoat; high body of jaconot muslin, with reversed drawings; long sleeve, drawn to correspond. A silk ruff.
A silk net handkerchief-sash, tied in streamers and small bows behind.
A Shipton straw bonnet, tied under the chin with a net handkerchief crossing the crown, and trimmed with a band of the same silk net.
Sandals of evening primrose-coloured kid. Gloves to correspond.
Very smart. And more sandals.
Until next time
October 13, 2014
Thanksgiving - Canadian style
When I grew up in England, Thanksgiving was something I read about in "Little Women". As I understood it, the celebration related to something that occurred as a result of leaving Britain behind. We did have Harvest Festival, or Harvest Home, a Sunday church service relating to the bringing in of the harvest that occurs around the autumn equinox, usually in late September. The church was decorated with wheat sheaves and other items of produce signifying a successful harvest and food items are given to those less fortunate. There were no special family gatherings.When I came to Canada I was surprised to discover the extent of Thanksgiving in North America. To me it felt like having a second Christmas with turkey and all the trimmings and family in attendance, but no gifts. I was also surprised to discover that it came a month earlier than the one celebrated in our neighbours to the south.
It certainly didn't take us long to adapt to this additional celebration in our annual calendar and every year we look forward to sitting down with family and friends. And if we have taken on the Canadian traditions of cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie to go along with our turkey, we retain some of our British roots with chestnut stuffing and bread sauce added to the table's delights.Our family has much to give thanks for, despite trials and tribulations throughout the year, and I wish all my Canadian friends and family who are unable to be with us today, Happy Thanksgiving and all best wishes to those of you who will celebrate your Thanksgiving next month.
October 9, 2014
Athelhampton - Dorset
Athelhampton House in Dorset is full of lovely surprises and I will reveal them as we go along. Rambling Regency Britain is always a joy, mostly because much of what I discover predates the Regency so I have a chance to enjoy more history rather than less.
Located in the heart of Thomas Hardy Country, Athelhampton is a privately owned home and has been for 500 years. And since we are focusing on the Regency we are focusing on the Long family who owned the residence until the mid 1800's
This was my first view of the house on the day of the Queen's Jubilee in 2012. The original gatehouse, removed in the mid 1800's according the the guide book, but the arch is quite similar. The gate house was a two story affair, the arch wide enough for carriages leading into the a courtyardwalled on two sides with the "L" shaped house making up the other two sides of a rough square.
Here you can see the two wings of the building. The front of the house is the original 15th Century Great Hall and buttery with an attached solar.
In the sixteenth century the west wing, on the left was added to that original building.
It is such a treasure and such a privilege to see inside this wonderful old house
As we get closer we cannot help but be enchanted the the embattled frontage and this wonderful window in the corner of the two wings at the solar end of the Great Hall
First we have to go inside so you will follow me through this ancient door beneath the tower-like entrance porch. Or you may want to sit awhile on the stone benches and soak up the ambiance, like a lady waiting for her carriage to be brought around from the stables.
Until next time.....
Located in the heart of Thomas Hardy Country, Athelhampton is a privately owned home and has been for 500 years. And since we are focusing on the Regency we are focusing on the Long family who owned the residence until the mid 1800'sThis was my first view of the house on the day of the Queen's Jubilee in 2012. The original gatehouse, removed in the mid 1800's according the the guide book, but the arch is quite similar. The gate house was a two story affair, the arch wide enough for carriages leading into the a courtyardwalled on two sides with the "L" shaped house making up the other two sides of a rough square.
Here you can see the two wings of the building. The front of the house is the original 15th Century Great Hall and buttery with an attached solar.
In the sixteenth century the west wing, on the left was added to that original building.
It is such a treasure and such a privilege to see inside this wonderful old house
As we get closer we cannot help but be enchanted the the embattled frontage and this wonderful window in the corner of the two wings at the solar end of the Great HallFirst we have to go inside so you will follow me through this ancient door beneath the tower-like entrance porch. Or you may want to sit awhile on the stone benches and soak up the ambiance, like a lady waiting for her carriage to be brought around from the stables.
Until next time.....
October 7, 2014
Regency Fashion - October 1814
From Ackermann's Repository October 1814 PROMENADE DRESS. A CELESTIAL blue or French grey silk skirt, buttoned and trimmed down the front with a full border of lace, gathered on a plain heading, terminating at the bottom with a deep flounce of the same; high-drawn body, made either of sarsnet or India muslin; long full sleeve, confined at the wrist by a bracelet of blue satin bead and emerald clasp. Lace ruff round the neck.
A net handkerchief crossed over the bosom and tied in bows behind.
Full-bordered lace cap, ornamented with a small wreath of flowers on one side.
A French straw bonnet, lined with white sarsnet, and trimmed round the edge with a narrow quilling of net lace; a small plume of ostrich feathers in the centre of the crown. Sandals of blue kid. Gloves, York tan or Limerick.
Sandals in October. A bit nippy on the toes I must say. And what is the idea of the handkerchief? Support?
Until Next Time......
