The lives of Regency vicar's daughters

 I have a few blog posts left over from a tour I had when The Earl's Cinderella Countess was released!  This one was lots of fun--a bit of discussion on the lives of vicars' daughters....

The question I was asked is—whatwas life like for a vicar’s daughter in the Regency? Since I am aresearch junkie, I love this question! Eleanor (Ella) and hersister Mary (who will be the heroine of the next book in the series!)are in a slightly different situation, since their mother died whenthey were young and Ella took over many of the responsibilities ofthe vicarage. When I first started this book, my knowledge of clergylife in the 18th/early 19thcentury was mostly from Charlotte Lucas (ewww, Mr. Collins! But shedid seem to enjoy the job itself, having her own house and helpingparishioners), and Mrs. Elton from Emma,who didn’t seem to do much besides be snobby and form musicalsocieties. (Plus the Brontes, of course, though Patrick Bronte’sparish was very different from that of the St. Aubins’ father in mybook, since Haworth was poor and industrial). So I enjoyed divinginto it all a bit more.

A vicar’s wife would, likemost women of the time, keep her household. If her husband had agood living (like Mr. Collins, thanks to Lady Catherine de Bourgh!),it could be quite substantial, with a rather large staff, a nicegarden, chances to entertain. If it was poorer, like the Brontes,she might take on some of the more menial chores herself, but thiswas a position of respect and authority in the neighborhood. Thewife (or, in my story, daughter) of the vicar would visit the poorand sick, counsel with them, bring them hampers, coo over new babies,witness weddings, keep her husband apprised of what’s going on withparishoners. She would also attend parties, charm the local gentry,organize church events like fetes, the flower roster, childrens’activities. It was a big job!

Ella St. Aubin has been in lovewith Frederick Fleetwood, the younger son of their neighbor the Earl,since they were children, but never expected that she, the daughterof a vicar (who probably owes his living to Fred’s father!) couldmarry him. And she has to take over her mother’s role inhousekeeping and parish duties, as well as looking after her youngersister, so is kept busy while Fred goes into the Army. Things changewhen they grow up, though!

Amanda Vickery’s TheGentleman’s Daughter: Women’s Lives in Georgian Englandis a great source for more about women’s roles in the period! It’sa fascinating time….