Puritans to Peacocks: Unravelling the Threads of Stuart Society: Guest Post by Megan Hopper

Hello, I’m Megan, and today, I invite you to embark on an extensive journey into the captivating world of 17th-century fashion trends within the Stuart period. Join me as we navigate this intriguing era’s dynamic and ever-evolving fashion landscape.

The Stuart Period Overview

The Stuart period in British history, spanning from 1603 to 1714 under the House of Stuart, concluded with Queen Anne passing the torch to King George I from the German House of Hanover. A tumultuous period marked by internal conflicts, religious tensions, and a significant civil war in 1649, the Stuarts returned to power in 1660 with the restoration of Charles II. However, the Revolution in 1689 led to the removal of James II, making way for the reigns of Mary II, William III, and finally Anne.

Despite the passage of fifty years, exiled Stuarts, including James II, his son James Francis Edward Stuart, and grandson Charles Edward Stuart, persisted in claiming the throne, supported by the hope of a comeback with French assistance. However, their grand plans for a triumphant return did not materialise, leaving them in perpetual exile.

These historical shifts set the stage for remarkable changes in fashion throughout the Stuart period, reflecting the ebb and flow of societal dynamics.

Mytens, Daniel; Elizabeth Leicester (b.1587); Tabley House Collection; http://www.artuk.org/artworks/elizabeth-leicester-b-1587-103875

Early Stuart (1603-1649): Jacobean Elegance

de Critz, John. James VI and I, 1566 – 1625. King of Scotland 1567 – 1625. King of England and Ireland 1603 – 1625. Oil on canvas, 1604, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, PG 561.

In the early Stuart period, known as the Jacobean era, fashion bore a profound imprint influenced by the stylish reign of James I of England. Opulence was the hallmark of this period, as men donned doublets with intricate embroidery, knee-length breeches fastened with decorative ties, and sumptuous silk stockings. The choice of materials such as velvet, silk, and satin, coupled with deep, rich hues like burgundy and dark green, served as a visual testament to social status.

For women, gowns featured high waistlines positioned just below the bust, creating an elongated and flowing silhouette. The use of fabrics like velvet and satin, adorned with lace and intricate embellishments, showcased the richness of women’s attire. Accessories played a pivotal role, with ruffled collars, elaborate jewellery featuring pearls and gemstones, and headwear ranging from hats adorned with feathers to hoods and caps, each adding an extra layer of allure.

The intricate details of clothing styles during the Jacobean era created a symphony of luxurious fabrics, rich colours, and intricate designs, offering a visual feast that reflected the social and economic tapestry of the time.

Gown. Silk velvet, silk, linen, silk thread, linen thread, hand-sewn, 1610 – 1620, https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O137749/gown-unknown/. Victoria and Albert Museum, Textiles and Fashion Collection, 178-1900.

Interregnum (1649-1660): Puritan Simplicity

Unknown Man, Formerly Known as Wenceslaus Hollar. oil on canvas, c 1650, National Portrait Gallery, NPG 1617.

Experience the stark shift towards Puritan simplicity during the Interregnum, a period marked by political and religious upheavals under Oliver Cromwell. The austere climate translated into modest clothing choices, reflecting Puritan values of humility and frugality.

Both men and women embraced sombre, practical garments, moving away from the extravagant styles of the early Stuart period. This period was characterised by plain fabrics, unadorned clothing, and a lack of extravagant accessories. Sumptuary laws were enacted to regulate attire, discouraging excess and reinforcing values of modesty. The wardrobe became a reflection of personal taste and ideological adherence, showcasing a society in the throes of transformation.

Carlile, Joan. Dorothy, Lady Browne (Née Mileham); Sir Thomas Browne. oil on panel, c. 1641 – 1650, National Portrait Gallery, NPG 2062.

Restoration (1660-1685): Flamboyance in Bloom

King Charles II, attributed to Thomas Hawker oil on canvas, circa 1680, National Portrait Gallery, NPG 4691

Now, we witness the grand revival of extravagance during the Restoration era, marked by the triumphant return of the monarchy under Charles II. Baroque influences took centre stage, reflecting opulence and intricate ornamentation.

Men’s three-piece suits adorned with lace, ruffles, and embroidered coats became the epitome of flamboyance, a sharp departure from the simplicity of the Interregnum. Cascading with curls and powder, wigs became a symbol of wealth and style. Women’s fashion embraced low necklines, full skirts, and elaborate hairstyles, often incorporating wigs and hairpieces. Luxurious fabrics, vibrant colours, and extravagant accessories marked this flamboyant era, influenced by French fashion and the grandeur of royal courts. In this era, fashion was a celebration—a bold statement that proclaimed the return of indulgence and excess.

Wedding Suit. Wool, silk, linen, silver, gold, paper; hand-woven, hand-sewn, hand-embroidered, 1673, Victoria and Albert Museum, Textiles and Fashion Collection, T.711:1, 2-1995.

Late Stuart (1685-1714): Refinement and Elegance

Queen Mary II by Jan Verkolje, oil on canvas, circa 1688, National Portrait Gallery, NPG 606

Continue the journey into the Late Stuart period, characterised by refinement and intricate designs. This era spanned the reigns of James II, William III, and Anne, witnessing the continuation of Baroque influence.

Men’s three-piece suits evolved with knee-length coats, wide cuffs, and elaborate embroidery, displaying a refined aesthetic. Wigs remained a symbol of status, intricately styled and powdered. Women’s gowns, featuring fitted bodices and full, flowing skirts, adopted new styles like the Robe à la Française and Robe à l’Anglaise. Luxurious textiles, rich colours, and metallic threads continued to dominate fashion. Accessories like large hats with wide brims adorned with feathers and ribbons, along with intricate jewellery, completed the sophisticated look. Fashion in the Late Stuart period was not just about display but about nuance – a reflection of societal maturation and a desire for sophistication.

Robert Boyle after Johann Kerseboom, oil on canvas, based on a work of circa 1689-1690, National Portrait Gallery, NPG 3930

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Stuart period’s fashion evolution offers a captivating tapestry of cultural and political dynamics. From the ornate early years to the flamboyance of the Restoration and the refined elegance of the Late Stuart period, clothing served as a visual narrative of societal shifts. As the Stuarts paved the way for the Georgian era, their fashion legacy laid the groundwork for the styles that would grace the 18th century.

This exploration of mine, spanning the opulent to the restrained, encapsulates the rich and diverse tapestry of Stuart fashion, unravelling the threads that wove through this remarkable period in English history! The intricate details of clothing styles not only reflect the changing tastes and preferences of the time but also provide a lens through which we can examine the broader historical and cultural context of the Stuart era. In this era, fashion was not merely a mode of expression; it was a testament to resilience, adaptability, and the undying spirit of an era in flux.

Doublet. glazed linen, embroidered and couched with white cord, trimmed with bobbin lace, 1635 – 1640, Victoria and Albert Museum, Textiles and Fashion Collection, 177-1900.

Biography

Hello, I’m Megan, a recent graduate of the History MRes program at the University of Leicester. My academic journey has been dedicated to exploring the intricate realm of medieval clothing, offering unique perspectives into historical societies through the lens of clothing and material culture. Prior to this, my undergraduate degree in Contour Fashion, specifically corsetry, ignited my fascination with history, motivating me to delve into the captivating world of fashion history.

If you’ve made it to the end of this blog post, thank you! I hope you found my condensed research on fashionable items in the 17th century enjoyable! Feel free to visit my personal blog for more of my writing and explore my portfolio of content writing work. You might discover other investigations into historical fashion trends that pique your interest!

Alternatively, here are my socials:

Website: https://megansaestheticsandstuff.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/megansaestheics

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-hopper-0aa2a7209/ 

Instagram (Cosplay account): https://www.instagram.com/meganscosplayandfashion 

Instagram (Reading Blog): https://www.instagram.com/megansreadingandsbooks/

References

End of 2023 Update and Thanks

Where do I start with 2023. It’s been full, but not of the nice things unfortunately. Sadly we have lost quite a few people dear to us, most importantly my mum’s brother-in-law, my Uncle Ian, just a couple of months ago. He was such a big part of our lives and was always supportive in everything any of us did. Me and my mum were very ill with Covid earlier in the year, which messed up our family holiday to Ludlow. That was only the first of our 3 holidays that has been ruined, so I’m over due for one I think! Then my mum has been diagnosed with polymyalgia (a rheumatic condition) this summer, which has meant we aren’t as able to do as much together this year as we had planned on.

The Christmas card we all received featuring an old photograph of the Masson Mills site

As if that wasn’t bad enough, I then unfortunately had to change jobs a few months ago too due to financial issues affected my relief contract at the Record Office. I love that job and everyone connected with it, but it’s still open, so hopefully I can return at some point in 2024. Since mid-October, I have been working at Masson Mills, originally a Richard Arkwright mill is now part of the Derwent Valley World Heritage Site, which features multiple Georgian mills that were the first modern-style mass manufacturing system in the world, as a Visitor Centre Assistant. This has meant a slight return to my retail roots, and learning how to be a coffee barista, but hopefully can mean conducting history tours at some point.

With all of that going on, I’ve been thankful that I’ve still had consistency with this blog. It’s honestly helped to have something comforting to return to in all the turmoil. It has been the most successful year yet in terms of views since I started this blog five years ago. For that reason, I just want to take the time to thank each and every person who has read, shared, liked and followed the blog this year. It genuinely means a lot to me to see people enjoy the blog. The best post of all this year has been about the St Augustine Gospel, the oldest surviving medieval manuscript in Britain, which was used earlier this year at the coronation of King Charles III. That can be read here.

Luke St Augustine’s Gospels Corpus Christi Cambridge MS 286, Image courtesy of The Parker Library, Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, via Stanford University. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

I had just one guest post this year on Nana Yaa Asantawaa, Queen Mother of Ghana and the Golden Stool by Tami Richards, a story of the Ashanti people standing up to imperialism. It can be viewed here. However, there were some firsts of my own this year. First of all, I did my first post reviewing a museum exhibition at Norwich Castle on the fate and discovery for the wreck of the Gloucester ship. Seeing the exhibition was a highlight and it was definitely a brilliant thing to see! The review can be seen here. Another first was attending my very first ever Regency ball in Buxton with my sister for my birthday weekend. I absolutely loved the whole experience and if you ever have the chance to attend a similar event, just do it! Here’s the post I did explaining what a Regency ball looks like.

Back in September, I returned for my third ever Jane Austen Festival in Bath. It was just as much fun as ever! Although this year, we were promenading in 32 degree heat, which was very hot here. A big thank you once again to my sister for sewing our beautiful dresses! It was another record breaking year there in terms of attendance. There were over 900 people on the promenade, nearly double last year! A first this year was an official picnic, which we attended and thoroughly enjoyed munching on things in front of the world famous Crescent.

Me and my sister at the Regency Ball in Buxton

Another good thing this year was I started offering paid talks, with my first one being in February. I offer a wide variety of topics, which reflects aspects of research I have enjoyed doing and think others would too. In the end, I did seven, on topics ranging from Napoleonic prisoners, Anthony Babington and Mary Queen of Scots, and Charles Dickens and the poor. This is something I will continue doing as it has been quite popular. I have another seven (some of those still to be finished organising) booked in for 2024.

The most exciting thing to be happening next year is that by debut history book, Anthony Woodville: Sophisticate or Schemer, is due for publication on 15th February in the UK. It’s already on pre-0rder from most good book places, so please do that if you are able. Again, I apologise that I don’t have any info yet on whether it will be available in America. I can’t quite believe that after nearly nine years of wishing and researching, that in just under two months time, it will be out there in the world. I have a few book signings/talks booked in for next year. I have THE worst handwriting, so that’s something I’ve got to practice.

All that is left now is to wish you all a healthy and wonderful 2024. Most importantly, thank you all once again for your support over the last year. Each and every view, like and share means a lot to me, so I pass on my hearty thanks and love to all of you. The first post of the new year will be an exciting guest post on Stuart era fashion by Megan Hopper, a recent graduate from the University of Leicester.

My Top 5 History Reads of 2023

As an avid reader, I usually can’t name all the books I read in a year, the majority of them have a history theme, so as we come to the end of 2023, I thought I would share my top five history books that I’ve read this year. It’s a mixture of different periods, so hopefully there’s something for everybody there.

The Unfortunate Colonel Ned Despard by Mike Jay

Ned Despard was the last person in Britain to be hung drawn and quartered in 1803, but was he really a traitor, or was he fitted up to put off reformist from being vocal? That is the question this book aims to answer. I think it does that very well, but no spoilers as to which way it leans (unless you read the review I did on earlier this year here). If you have an interest in the Georgian period or criminal history, this is the read for you. It was very insightful, even though I have read and written on Despard before, I learnt a lot from this book. I also wrote a post on Despard a few years ago, which can be viewed here.

Dickens and the Workhouse: Oliver Twist and the London Poor by Ruth Richardson

This is a book I read many years ago and decided to revisit this year because of doing talks on Charles Dickens and the poor. I loved it the first time I read it, but now I have read wider on the topic, I realise just how brilliant it is at displaying Dickens connections to workhouses. This particular book tells of Dickens lost connection to the Cleveland Street Workhouse in London, which he lived down the street from in his childhood. It also shows that this is probably the workhouse that inspired Oliver Twist. Not only that, but Ruth Richardson’s discovery about Dickens has helped save the building from destruction. Really one of the most informative books on the topic, so whether you’re interested in Charles Dickens, the Victorian period, or workhouses, this one is a must have!

Prince Albert: The Man Who Saved the Monarchy by A. N. Wilson

Again this is something I have come across during my research for Charles Dickens and the poor. I was alerted to this book through my research into Albert’s promotion of early social housing examples for the Great Exhibition of 1851, as well as being patron for The Society for Improving the Condition of the Labouring Classes. This is a bit of a tome of a book, so it does require perseverance, but it aims to be a thorough biography of Prince Albert, who, because of his early death, is often forgotten about in terms of his patronage and activities of all forms in the Victorian peri0d. If you can manage to get through it, it is very insightful into everything Albert got involved in.

Queen of Scots: The True Life of Mary Stuart by John Guy

Most people only understand the end of Mary Queen of Scots life whilst she was imprisoned in England and later executed at Fotheringhay Castle for Catholic plots in her name. I will admit that was also the reason I chose this book, but it is a wonderfully written biography, which draws the reader in. It might read a bit like a historical novel at times, but I do feel that Mary’s life in general does feel like one. In general, this is a well written and well researched book on a fascinating Queen from the always popular Tudor period.

Dragon Rider: The Griffin’s Feather by Cornelia Funke

This one is not a history book, but is actually a children’s novel. You’re probably wondering why I’ve included this in what is meant to be a round up of history reads for this year. Well, this is linked to my personal history. It’s a sequel to one of my favourite ever books, Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke, which I read and fell in love with when I was at primary school (elementary school to you American readers). This year whilst buying books in the town of books, Hay-on-Wye, I came across this and another sequel. You have no idea how excited I was to know this. Anyway, this sequel, subtitled The Griffin’s Feather has been well worth the nearly twenty year wait.

Zitkala-Sa: Influential Native American Activist

November is National American Indian Heritage Month in America. For regular readers, you may not be surprised that I decided to write a post dedicated to that. Despite living in the East Midlands of England, I have always had a genuine interest in the plight of the Native Americans, perhaps feel some guilt towards the cultural appropriation that they were forced to endure. For that reason, I felt it appropriate to share the story of Zitkala-Sa, which means Red Bird in English, who was an influential Native American activist. Her story is a powerful one and I feel that I would have been there with her waving the flag for suffrage for all Native Americans if I could.

Zitkala-Sa was born on 22 February 1876, the same year as the famous Battle of Little Bighorn, on the Yankton Indian Reservation in South Dakota as a Yankton Dakota Sioux. Her mother was known as Reaches for the Wind and her father was an Anglo-American who abandoned his family when Zitkala-Sa was small. When she was 8-years-old a group of Quakers arrived at the reservation seeking to send some of the native children to the White’s Indiana Manual Labour Institute.

Photograph of Zitkala Sa (c. 1898) taken by Gertrude Kasebier, National Museum of American History

It was common for native children to be sent to these white run schools to ‘anglicise’ them and remove them from their own cultures. The schools they were sent to were purposefully miles away from the reservations they had been brought up on and possibly had never ventured far from. Each school was paid per child who they encouraged to leave the reservations to attend school. The children would have their hair cut short, be banned from speaking their native languages and wearing their traditional clothing, as well as being given an English name, amongst other rules imposed upon them. The aim for these schools, whilst providing an education, was to eradicate the ways of the American Indian.[1] For these reasons, Reaches for the Wind had genuine and understandable worries about sending her daughter way to the school. To the young Zitkala-Sa, it was to be an adventure.

Upon arriving at the Indiana school, Zitkala-Sa’s name was changed to Gertrude Simmons. She often cried as she missed home and was beaten for this, just the same as many other Native American children were.[2] In later life, Zitkala-Sa admitted that whilst she was grateful to the school for teaching her how to read, write and play violin, it had been at the expense of her own heritage.[3] This became more apparent when she returned to her home reservation in 1887, where she now felt she didn’t fit in with her own people. She only stayed there for three years before returning to the Institute to further her education. Her talent for piano and violin made the school hire her as a teacher whilst she continued her studies there.

The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Photography Collection, The New York Public Library. “New England Conservatory of Music, Boston, Mass.” The New York Public Library Digital Collections, 1907 – 1908, https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47da-3663-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99

In 1895, Zitkala-Sa graduated and used her graduation speech to advocate for women’s rights. From there, she went on to a scholarship at Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana. It was whilst studying there that she started to collect stories from Native tribes and began to publish them in English and Latin. However, just six weeks prior to graduating, she had to leave due to money and health issues.[4] Instead, she further studied the violin at New England Conservatory of Music.

By 1899, Zitkala-Sa had become a music teacher at Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Pennsylvania. This school was seen as the flagship of all the Indian boarding schools and was seen as highly successful in it’s mission to ‘civilise’ Native American children. It was whilst teaching there that Zitkala-Sa performed at the 1900 Paris Exposition with the Carlisle Indian School Band, which she played a violin solo.[5] However, in the same year, she was sent back to her home reservation to collect more new students. Unlike the last time she was there, she had seen the welfare of her people decline. They were in poverty and white settlers had begun living on land that had been given to the reservation by the U.S. Government. Her view on the whole system began to be more and more critical from now on and her writings reflected this. It was this view that made the Carlisle School fire her.[6]

Photograph of Zitkála-Šá (1898) by Joseph Turner Keiley, Public Domain via National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution

From there she transferred to being a clerk at the Standing Rock Reservation, where Sitting Bull had lived and was murdered by Indian Police and the army in 1890. It was there that Zitkala-Sa met her husband, Captain Raymond Talafese Bonin, who was half Anglo-American and half Sioux, who she married in 1902. After their marriage, they moved to the Unitah-Ouray Reservation in Utah, where Raymond got a job and Zitkala-Sa became a teacher for the local Ute children, but also lectured around America on Native American rights.[7] It was in this role that Zitkala-Sa became friends with William F. Hanson, who was studying at Brigham Young University and was working closely with the Native Americans who lived on the reservation. Between them, they completed the opera, Sun Dance, in 1913, which told the story of a banned Sioux ritual, and was the first American Indian Opera.[8]

Zitkala-Sa joined the Society of American Indians in 1911, which sought to gain rights for Native Americans, most importantly to gain help gain official citizenship status for all Native Americans. She became the society’s secretary in 1916 and was one of the driving forces behind the vocalisation the society portrayed. Due to Zitkala-Sa and others campaigning, the Indian Citizenship Act was finally passed in 1924, but whilst this helped, it didn’t get Native Americans the vote. At this point, still only a third of Native Americans who could be allowed to vote actually were.[9] This is partly why Zitkala-Sa and her husband, Raymond, established the National Council of American Indians in 1926, which aimed to unite all tribes to campaign for universal suffrage for their people.[10] At the same time, Zitkala-Sa was also involved in the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, working towards women pushing for native suffrage too.

Ciricahua Apaches at the Carlisle Indian School, Penna., 1885 or 1886?: as they looked upon arrival at the School, Photograph, Retrieved from the Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/item/2006679977/

Zitkala-Sa was a ceaseless campaigner for the rights of Native Americans and sought to highlight the destruction of their cultures until her death on 26 January 1926 in Washington DC. She was buried at Arlington National Cemetery with her husband, who was her best supporter. Whilst she has been somewhat forgotten since, I’m pleased to say that in recent times more focus on her campaigning for native and women’s rights has started to receive the recognition it deserves. This year, the U. S. Government chose her as one of the trailblazing women to feature on coins. Zitkala-Sa will feature on the quarter coins next year.[11] Hopefully that will mean that more people come to know her important story.

[1] ‘Struggling with Cultural Repression’, National Museum of the American Indian, https://americanindian.si.edu/nk360/code-talkers/boarding-schools/

[2] National Park Service, ‘Zitkala-Ša (Red Bird / Gertrude Simmons Bonnin)’, https://www.nps.gov/people/zitkala-sa.htm

[3] Ibid

[4] Ibid

[5] National Women’s History Museum, ‘Zitkála-Šá (“Red Bird”/Gertrude Simmons Bonnin)’, https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/zitkala-sa

[6] National Park Service, ‘Zitkala-Ša (Red Bird / Gertrude Simmons Bonnin)’

[7] Women and the American Story, ‘Life Story: Zitkala-Sa, aka Gertrude Simmons Bonnin (1876-1938)’, https://wams.nyhistory.org/modernizing-america/xenophobia-and-racism/zitkala-sa/; National Park Service, ‘Zitkala-Ša (Red Bird / Gertrude Simmons Bonnin)’

[8] National Park Service, ‘Zitkala-Ša (Red Bird / Gertrude Simmons Bonnin)’

[9] National Women’s History Museum, ‘Zitkála-Šá (“Red Bird”/Gertrude Simmons Bonnin)’,

[10] National Park Service, ‘Zitkala-Ša (Red Bird / Gertrude Simmons Bonnin)’

[11] Britannica, ‘Zitkala-Sa’, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Zitkala-Sa

Betsi Cadwaladr: A Welsh Nurse of the Crimean War

Most people have heard of Florence Nightingale, the legendary ‘lady with the lamp’ who is seen as the mother of modern nursing after her efforts to improve the treatment of wounded soldiers during the Crimean War (1853-1856). Despite the fact that Florence came from my native Derbyshire, she in fact isn’t my favourite Crimean War nurse, that is in fact Mary Seacole, a black Jamaican woman who funded her own trip and established the British Hotel near the frontline in the Crimea to help assist with the injured, after being turned away by the British War Office. Mary Seacole’s has, quite rightly, gained more popularity in the last few years, so I wanted to share with you the story of another similar Crimean Nurse, Betsi Cadwaladr, also known as Elizabeth Davies, who came from North Wales. Little is known about Betsi’s life other than what was written in a two volume biography of her written in her later life by historian, Jane Williams, based on oral interviews conducted with Betsi.[1]

Betsi Cadwaladr, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons

Betsi was born on 24 May 1789 in Llanycil, a small village near Bala in Gwynedd, North Wales. She was one of sixteen children and her father was a Methodist minister.[2] The family dynamics began to change after Betsi’s mother sadly died when she was a young child, leaving her in the care of her elder sister, who she didn’t have a great relationship with. This environment made her run away from home, some say at the age of 9, whilst others say the age of 14.[3] Whichever age is true, it showed that Betsi was beginning to be a rebel. She ran away to Liverpool and it’s thought that this is when she changed her surname to Davies, which was easier to pronounce.[4]

For most of her working life, Betsi was a domestic servant, a common employment for women during the time she lived in. She herself admitted that it was a rather adventurous life, which involved her travelling the world with her various employers, but mostly around Europe, including at Waterloo, just days after the battle.[5] Despite this travelling lifestyle, she wasn’t always the model employee. There are two stories circulated about her time in domestic service which show just how much she didn’t like abiding by social rules. Under one employer, Betsi borrowed his military uniform and gate crashed a ball at St Cloud in the Paris Suburbs, whilst with another employer, she felt that her duties were being interfered with and in response, she entered the dining room and sat with the family at the head of table, stating ‘she has taken my place in the laundry, I am come to take hers in the dining-room’.[6] Certainly not the sort of behaviour you would expect, but I admire her all the same!

Crimean War: interior of the Barrack hospital, Scutari, Turkey (1854), Wood engraving, Public Domain via Wellcome Collection.

In 1854, when Betsi was 65, she volunteered to nurse soldiers fighting in the Crimean war. The conflict was fought by an alliance of Britain, France, Turkey and Sardinia against Russia. In the British psyche it has become synonymous with military incompetence and the personal endurance and bravery of the fighting men.[7] Amongst this, it has also become known for the efforts of nurses like Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole to improve the medical care and environments offered to the injured and dying during the conflict. After being sent to Scutari in Turkey, Betsi became one of those nurses.

The hospital Betsi first worked at was the one run by Florence Nightingale, but as this was in Turkey, which lay far from the frontlines in what is now southern Ukraine. The two women began to know each other but both were from different social backgrounds, with Nightingale coming from a much wealthier background than Betsi. Nightingale said of Betsi that she was an “active. Hardworking, kind-hearted old woman with a foul tongue and a cross temper”.[8] It is clear from this comment that whilst Nightingale saw that Betsi cared for the soldiers, their personalities and backgrounds rubbed each other up the wrong way. This is possibly why after working in Scutari for many weeks, Betsi went on to move to a hospital in Balaklava in the Crimea, close to the frontlines.[9] Unlike Scutari, the injuries the soldiers would have had here in Balaklava would also be much more serious and the environment much more brutal.

Crimean War: soldiers doing their laundry at Balaklava Hospital (1855), Wood engraving, Public Domain via Wellcome Collection.

Sadly in 1855, Betsi had to move back to London as she had been too ill to continue the nursing work after contracting diseases like cholera and dysentery from the unsanitary conditions found within the hospital. She spent the last five years of her life in London, where she dictated her life story to Jane Williams. However, these years were tough as Betsi fell into poverty and when she died in July 1860, she was buried in a shared paupers grave in Abney Park Cemetery in London.

Grave of Betsi Cadwaladr in Abney Park Cemetery, London (2017), photograph by Hsq7278, Wikimedia Commons

That could have easily have been the end of Betsi’s story, with her final resting place lost to history because as she was placed in a paupers grave, it was unmarked and without a headstone. However, in 2012, after a fundraising campaign headed by nurses belonging to the Health Board in North Wales that shares Betsi’s name, she was finally given the headstone she deserved. This once rebel has finally, and so well deserved, been thanked for the service she gave to the many soldiers she treated on the frontline in the Crimean War.

[1] Dictionary of Welsh Biography, Elizabeth Davies (Besti Cadwaladr), https://biography.wales/article/arc_s-DAVI-ELI-1789

[2] BBC News, ‘Betsi Cadwaladr, Bala Crimean War nurse, given memorial’, 2 August 2012, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-19075075

[3] British Library, ‘Betsi Cadwaladr: The Crimean War nurse Elizabeth Davis’,24 May 2019, https://blogs.bl.uk/untoldlives/2019/05/betsi-cadwaladr-the-crimean-war-nurse-elizabeth-davis.html; Dictionary of Welsh Biography, Elizabeth Davies (Besti Cadwaladr)

[4] BBC News, ‘Betsi Cadwaladr, Bala Crimean War nurse, given memorial’

[5] British Library, ‘Betsi Cadwaladr: The Crimean War nurse Elizabeth Davis’

[6] Ibid

[7] National Army Museum, ‘The Crimean War’, https://www.nam.ac.uk/explore/crimean-war

[8] British Library, ‘Betsi Cadwaladr: The Crimean War nurse Elizabeth Davis’

[9] BBC News, ‘Betsi Cadwaladr, Bala Crimean War nurse, given memorial’

Tony Small: Runaway Slave turned Confidante

October is Black History Month and since running this blog, I have always tried to write at least one post to celebrate this. This time, I would like to share a story I recently discovered about friendship between Tony Small, an escaped slave, who became a servant and confidante to Edward Fitzgerald, the fifth son of the Duke of Leinster. Unlike most master and servant relationships, it appears that this was more like a genuine friendship between the pair, but their meeting was a rather unusual one.

Edward Fitzgerald was a lieutenant in the 19th Regiment of Foot during the Revolutionary War in America. Fitzgerald was a participant in the Battle of Eutaw Spring on 8 September 1781 in South Carolina, which was the last major battle of the conflict fought within the Carolinas. It was also nearly Fitzgerald’s last battle too. He was severely injured and lay dying on the battlefield. However, he was found by Tony Small, an escaped slave, who carried him away from the field and nursed him back to health.[1]

The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Print Collection, The New York Public Library. “Battle of Eutaw Springs.” The New York Public Library Digital Collections. https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47da-f324-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99

Little is known about Tony’s life prior to this event, other than he had managed to escape from his owners during the chaos of the Revolutionary War. It’s uncertain whether this meant Tony had been born and escaped from elsewhere in South Carolina, or whether he had escaped from elsewhere. It’s also unsure whether Tony had already been attached to the British army prior to this, or whether he had discovered Fitzgerald whilst scavenging the battlefield. Whichever of these is true, it cemented a lifelong friendship between the two men.

Upon regaining his health, Fitzgerald was able to rejoin his regiment and offered Tony the chance to come with him as his groom and manservant, which Tony accepted. In 1783, just two years after their paths had crossed, Fitzgerald and Tony arrived in Ireland, staying at the family home of Leinster House in Dublin. It was here that Tony, as well as the other servants, were often allowed to participate in dances above stairs.[2]

Leinster House, Dublin (2013) now seat of the Irish Parliament, Jean Housen via Wikimedia Commons

By 1788, Fitzgerald had joined the 54th Regiment of Foot on its way to Nova Scotia and of course, Tony went with him. This would have been an experience for both of them. At the time of their stay in Nova Scotia, it was home to thousands of black people who had remained loyal to the British, rather than America. They had been offered resettlement there with the promise of land they could farm and initial funding for their new life too.[3] This fell short and they weren’t given as much as promised, meaning that many suffered with the harsh winter conditions in Nova Scotia. Whilst there, Fitzgerald often commented on how Tony ensured he didn’t spend much of the money they were trying to save. From the wording, it would seem that Tony was the more practical of the two, with Fitzgerald being the more frivolous and romantic. It is probably for this reason that Tony was often allowed to participate in debates on the family’s circumstances and political matters.[4]

The pair returned to Ireland in the 1790s following Fitzgerald’s marriage to Pamela de Genlis, a Frenchwoman with little English at the time. When the couple began to have children, they employed a nursemaid by the name of Julia, who fell in love with Tony and they themselves married, going on to have at least two children by the names of Edward and Harriett Pamela. Reference is made to another child Moirico, but other researchers have struggled to follow this up in the records, whereas the other two children are known to have existed for this reason.

This painting by Thomas Roberts (in a Private Collection) has often been considered a portrait of Tony Small. It was originally in the Carton collection and was apparently labelled ‘Tony and his White Pony’. The talented and prolific Roberts, however, had already died of consumption by the time Tony Small arrived in Ireland in 1783. Instead, it is far more likely to be the painting by Roberts exhibited at the Society of Artists of Ireland in 1772 and designated Portrait of bold Sir William (a Barb), an East Indian black, and a French dog, in the possession of Gerald Fitzgerald Esq.

Things were looking nice and rosy all round, but not for long because in 1798, an order was made for Fitzgerald’s arrest for high treason after he was part of plot to create a united Ireland through insurrection.[5] Tony managed to alert Fitzgerald when men came to arrest him, so he was able to escape and stay on the run for the next two months. During this time, a reward was placed on his safe capture. When he was finally arrested again, he was shot accidentally, dying of his wounds a month later, before being buried in St Werburgh’s Church near Dublin Castle.[6]

Despite having died, Fitzgerald was posthumously charged with treason, meaning his estates and assets were seized, leaving his widow, Pamela with nothing. She was briefly helped by her husband’s family but nothing long term meant she moved to Hamburg to live with a cousin, taking Tont and his family with her.[7] This arrangement continued until Pamela remarried in 1801. Still, out of fondness for the Smalls, she organised a passport from them to return to London, where they were able to set up their own home and business in Piccadilly.

Print of Lord Edward Fitzgerald (1798), Public Domain via National Library of Wales

Sadly, Tony’s health wasn’t good enough to keep the business running for financial benefit. Without benefits or sick pay, life could be precarious for those with long-term health issues and the same applied to the Small family. Julia began to advertise that she was looking for work as a lady’s maid, whilst Tony was in correspondence with the Fitzgerald family about them offering some financial assistance.[8] It must have worked to some extent as Tony was able to employ John Heavisides, surgeon to George III, which must have been expensive. Whatever treatments he offered, they didn’t help as Tony died in 1804.

With Tony’s death the story of this genuine friendship with a member of the Irish aristocracy and the escaped slave who nursed him from a battlefield in South Carolina has been somewhat lost. However it has gained more interest in recent years, which I hope will continue. It shows that whilst it was a ‘fashion statement’ to have black servants during the Georgian period, that in this instance it was so much more and that Fitzgerald and Tony did have an real connection that is tangible even now.

[1] Laura McKenna, ‘Every man is exactly what he makes himself’, History Ireland, 6.28 (2020), https://www.historyireland.com/every-man-is-exactly-what-he-makes-himself/

[2] Mixed Museum, ‘Foreign’ Mixed Race Couples in Ireland, https://mixedmuseum.org.uk/amri-exhibition/tony-and-julie-small-william-g-allen-and-mary-king/

[3] Laura McKenna, ‘Every man is exactly what he makes himself’

[4] Ibid

[5] Mixed Museum, ‘Foreign’ Mixed Race Couples in Ireland

[6] ‘Tony Small: The escaped slave who lived in Leinster House’, 29 January 2013, https://comeheretome.com/2013/01/29/tony-small-the-escaped-slave-who-lived-in-leinster-house/

[7] Laura McKenna, ‘Every man is exactly what he makes himself’

[8] Ibid; Mixed Museum, ‘Foreign’ Mixed Race Couples in Ireland

Regency Ball at Buxton Crescent 2023

Some of you regular readers will have noticed by now that I have a passion for the Georgian period, especially the later part known as the Regency Period, which is most closely associated with the life of Jane Austen. For the last couple of years, I have been taking part in the Jane Austen Festival in Bath, alongside my family. We have tried to get tickets for the balls they hold at the world famous Bath Assembly Rooms, but as I’m sure you can imagine, they are the hottest tickets in town, with them selling out within twenty minutes of going on sale this year. Surely everyone deserves to go to a Regency ball at least once in their life?

Exterior of Buxton Crescent

Thankfully in my home county of Derbyshire, there has just been the second Georgian Derbyshire Festival, where events in many different places across the county are put on to celebrate the county’s Georgian heritage. I helped last year at Cromford, seen as the birthplace of the modern factory system, by manning a stall with my colleague to showcase some of the Georgian collections held at the Derbyshire Record Office, as well as my own research into the period. I had a lovely time sharing some of my favourite stories with the public and as ever, proving that archives aren’t stuffy places, but full of stories of people who are just like us, even if they lived so long ago.

I had heard that up in Buxton, a town which sits in the beautiful Peak District, had put on a Regency Ball, but had been unable to get tickets. Me and my sister, who is wonderful and makes all of our Georgian dresses, were determined to get tickets for this year and thankfully we managed it. It was made even better that it was to be held on the 7th October as it landed just a few days before my birthday and what a wonderful way to have an early celebration!

Interior of the Assembly Room inside the Buxton Crescent

It was also a great way to see all the very hard work put in over the many years of restoration of the beautiful Buxton Crescent, built by John Carr for the 5th Duke of Devonshire of Chatsworth between 1780 and 1788, where the ball was held. A big round of applause to everyone involved in that process. I have visited Buxton for many years and I know full well that it has taken a huge amount of time, effort, resources and money. It seriously has paid off and restored the Crescent to its former beauty. The Assembly Room itself had such an impressive ceiling too and was the perfect setting to have a ball, just as the room would have done in the Duke’s day.

Included in the ticket price was not only the ball in the evening, which lasted for around three hours, but a two hour dance lesson in the afternoon (as a non dancer, it didn’t go great), a workshop for Regency hairstyle and accessories advice if you required it, complimentary rum punch, and Regency themed desserts during the interval. There was also a charity raffle in the interval if you fancied your chances of winning some wonderful local prizes. I must admit, the gentleman who won a crate of Buxton beer looked like he’d really won the lottery!!

Some of the attendees of the Regency Ball

I didn’t really know what to expect as this was my first Regency style ball, but both me and my sister had the time of our lives getting totally immersed again in all things Jane Austen, or as close to as we can manage anyway. I would totally recommend attending one if you can manage it. Everyone was so friendly and encouraging. It also helped that for many others, it was their first ball too. I would like to thank everyone for being so welcoming and friendly, including the gentleman who were willing to help out two nervous women at their first ball. If this type of event sounds like your sort of thing, whether it be this one at Buxton, or any other, I would totally recommend it.

Me and my sister, and some of the other attendees, stayed one night at the nearby Palace Hotel, which I have only been to for spa days, so it was nice to see the other workings of this Victorian era and rather imposing hotel, which is only a short walk away from the Crescent. One of the best comments of the night was on our walk out of the hotel towards the venue, where as it was a warm night, people had taken their drinks from the bar out onto the terrace. We had comments from one guy who said “I’m sure I’ve just seen a Roman”. I assume from his tone, he wasn’t sure what they’d put in his drink. To the people living in the Regency period, this would have been a massive compliment as they styled themselves on the Ancient Greeks and Romans.

Me and my sister between dances

We had the best time and thank you to Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust for hosting the event, as well as Ensana Buxton Crescent for their hospitality and to everyone else who helped out with the planning and on the day too. As ever, a massive thank you to my sister for her amazing sewing skills as she made our authentic Georgian dresses again. We will definitely be back next year!

I have found a new love and it so happens to be Regency balls, who’d have guessed! Inspired by my trip to Buxton, I’m currently in the process of seeing if I can organise another ball in Derby. Hopefully I can, so watch this space!

To find out more about the Buxton Crescent, please use the following link: https://buxtoncrescentexperience.com/

You can also find out more about this year’s Georgian Derbyshire Festival here: https://buxtoncrescentexperience.com/gdf23/

For more information on the Palace Hotel, Buxton, you please use the following link: https://www.britanniahotels.com/hotels/palace-hotel-buxton

Thomas Ken, Bishop of Bath and Wells

During a recent guided tour of the Bishop’s Palace in Wells, I came across Thomas Ken, bishop during the last year of Charles II’s reign and during the ill fated reign of Charles’ Catholic brother, James II. From what I learnt, he was a very benevolent man, someone who cared for the poor and stood up for what he believed was right and honourable, even if he didn’t necessarily agree with another’s viewpoints. I feel he was a man I would have got on well with personally, but I felt his story was one that should be told, particularly his dealings with the poor.

Thomas was born in Hertfordshire in 1637. Noth his parents died whilst he was a child, so he was largely brought up by his stepsister, Anne, and her husband, Izaak Walton, a famed angler and writer. When he was older, Thomas was educated at Winchester College and Oxford University, before being first ordained in 1661. His early parishes were small ones initially, before becoming involved at Winchester once more. It was whilst there that most of his time outside his clerical duties, he wrote hymns and prayers to be used at the college. His most famous is the short hymn:

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost![1]

Thomas Ken by George Vertue, after F. Scheffer engraving, circa 1713, © National Portrait Gallery, London

After Winchester, Ken became chaplain to Princess Mary, then wife to William of Orange, at the Hauge in 1679. This chaplaincy was a short one as he had a falling out with William, meaning he returned to England.[2] It was on his return to England in 1680 that Ken would gain the attention of Charles II, who appointed him as one of his royal chaplains. He was once more allowed to live at Winchester.

Charles II aimed to spend a prolonged period time in Winchester with his court, so many of the prominent people of the city’s lodgings were seconded for courtiers. Ken’s lodgings were supposed to be given to the monarchs famous mistress, Nell Gwynne. Ken outrightly refused, saying it was wrong for a lady of such ill-repute to take up a clergyman’s lodgings.[3] This act, rather than anger the King, helped to secure his reputation as a godly and upstanding man.

When the position of Bishop of Bath and Wells became vacant, Charles refused to let any other man but Ken take it in 1684, so much so that just months after he was made Bishop, Ken would be at Charles’ deathbed. When the Bishopric first became vacant, Charles had supposedly said ‘where is that man that refused his lodging to poor Nell?’[4] It was customary for an incoming Bishop to have a celebration banquet, but Ken saw the amounts spent on them as obscene. Instead, he chose to donate the money to the rebuilding of St Paul’s Cathedral that had been destroyed by the Great Fire of London.[5] He gave £100, which totals £11,500 in today’s money.

Ken’s generosity continued into his tenure as Bishop. In Wells he became well known for hosting the poor for Sunday dinner every week. Those who attended were also allowed to take home the leftovers for their families.[6] Following Monmouth’s Rebellion of 1685, where James, Duke of Monmouth, an illegitimate son of Charles II, aimed to overthrow his Catholic uncle, James II, many of the rebels were held as prisoners in the precincts of Wells Cathedral, where they had taken residence prior to their defeat at the Battle of Sedgemoor. Ken knew they were held in terrible conditions and pleaded for them to be treated better, despite believing they were wrong to rebel again a King. He even ministered to Monmouth before his execution.[7]

The Seven Bishops Committed to the Tower in 1688 by Unknown artist, based on a work of circa 1689, © National Portrait Gallery, London

However, Thomas was briefly imprisoned after he refused to accept the Declaration of Indulgence imposed by James II. Even though Ken believed him to be the rightful King, he felt the Declaration was pro-Catholic, rather than accepting of religious freedom on both sides. Ken was one of seven bishops to refuse, with all being taken to the Tower and put on trial for sedition.[8] All of them were acquitted, but unlike the other bishops, Ken refused to hold a grudge against other clergymen who had accepted the Declaration.

When James’ Protestant daughter, Mary and her husband, William of Orange, were invited to become monarchs under the Glorious Revolution, the clergy were expected to pledge an oath to them. Ken refused to do this, saying that although he didn’t agree religiously with James, he had already pledged an oath to him, so it wasn’t right to do so for the new monarchs whilst James was still alive.[9] Due to this, he was removed as Bishop of Bath and Wells in 1691, being replaced by Richard Kidder.

Wells Cathedral, Author’s Own Image

Ken spent the last twenty years of his life in retirement at Longleat, now famous for its safari park. Longleat’s owner, Lord Weymouth, had been friends with Ken since their time at Winchester College. During his time there, he kept a contemplative lifestyle and meeting with friends. Ken had been a popular bishop whilst at Wells and he was very much missed by those in his diocese. When his replacement, Kidder died during a freak accident when a chimney from the Bishop’s Palace in Wells collapsed and killed Kidder and his wife whilst they slept, Ken was invited to take up his old position. He turned this invitation down due to old age.[10]

Upon Ken’s death on 19 March 1711, he wished to be buried in the nearest church to Longleat that fell in his old diocese. This was St John the Baptist in Frome. His wishes for his funeral stated he didn’t wish for pomp and ceremony, just that the six poorest men of that parish were to be his pallbearers, possibly being paid for their role in the event.[11] To the end, religion and generosity to the poor played a part for this kind man who had once been one of the most influential bishops of the time. As I said at the beginning of the post, I feel that he would have been a man I would have got on well with, certainly for his treatment of the poor at a time when little provision was available to them.

[1] Kenn Village, ‘Thomas Ken, (1637-1711), Bishop of Bath and Wells’, https://kennvillage.co.uk/home-2/history-project/bishop-ken/

[2] Ibid; Britannica, ‘Thomas Ken’, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Thomas-Ken

[3] Edward Lewes Cutts, A Dictionary of the Church of England, Second Edition (London: Society for the Promoting Christian Knowledge, 1889), p. 351

[4] Kenn Village, ‘Thomas Ken, (1637-1711), Bishop of Bath and Wells’

[5] Edward Lewes Cutts, A Dictionary of the Church of England, pp. 351-352

[6] Brian Roberts-Wray, ‘Thomas Ken’, Bishop’s Palace, Wells (2017), https://bishopspalace.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Thomas-Ken.pdf

[7] Ibid

[8] Britannica, ‘Thomas Ken’; Kenn Village, ‘Thomas Ken, (1637-1711), Bishop of Bath and Wells’

[9] Kenn Village, ‘Thomas Ken, (1637-1711), Bishop of Bath and Wells’

[10] Ibid

[11] Edward Lewes Cutts, A Dictionary of the Church of England, p. 353

Blog Fifth Anniversary and the Jane Austen Festival in Bath

Today marks the fifth anniversary of the blog, so I want to take the opportunity to thank each and every person who has read, followed, shared and enjoyed the content I’ve been producing over that time. It really means a lot to me that my blog’s readership has grown so much in that time and that people genuinely seem to love what I write about. I love sharing all that I can about history with you all, so I hope I can keep it up for many more years to come.

Little did I think in 2018 when I set this blog up after I graduated from my masters and missed the feel of historical research, that in February 2024, I would become a published author. Back then, after three years of researching the life of Anthony Woodville, the idea of writing a biography on him was still just a goal. I have had so much encouragement about it ever since I announced in 2021 that I had got the publishing contract for it with Amberley, which has only increased now that book is on preorder in the UK. For that, I would like to extend my thanks once again to everyone for their support. It really does mean the world to me as telling Anthony’s story means the world to me as he has been undervalued for far too long!

Last week I was also lucky enough to be given the full cover reveal by the publishers, which you can see below. I had already shared the front cover, but the blurb and back cover is now made up. I must admit I love the addition of an old scene of King’s Lynn in Norfolk that was added to the back. I had submitted it as one of the many images to go with the manuscript. Anthony’s lands centred around the manor of Middleton, just five miles outside the important medieval port. He had many dealings with them, including taking taxes from the shipping there. For me, the most poignant thing was putting his final poem written whilst imprisoned before his execution on the back. Thank you to those at Amberley who created the whole cover, it’s fantastic!

I also thought it would be good to share about my third time taking part in Bath’s Jane Austen Festival over the weekend. Since first taking part in 2021, I have enjoyed it so much and it is a highlight of our year. I take part with my sister and my parents, with my sister always making our dresses. A skill I don’t possess, but honestly, my sister is so talented at making Regency appropriate attire for us. We took part in two of the events, the promenade on Saturday, which opens the festival, and a picnic on Sunday. We had tried to get hold of tickets for the ball, also on Saturday, but they sold out the fastest they ever have, so maybe another time.

Me and my sister in Bath Assembly Rooms

The promenade featured around 800 people of all ages and from around the world dressed in Georgian dress. Our route took us from the Holburne Museum, which is used as Lady Danbury’s house in Bridgerton, to the famous Assembly Rooms, where balls and theatricals would have taken place during the Georgian period. It’s a beautiful place to visit and it helped that this year, the Festival Fayre, where you can go shopping Georgian style, was held in the Assembly Rooms. It was a much bigger space than the previous venue at the Guildhall, although that is an also a lovely Georgian building. I came away having brought some long sleeve ball gloves ready for our next Georgian adventure back in our native Derbyshire, where we will be attending a masquerade ball at the newly renovated Buxton Crescent on 7th October, my birthday weekend, which makes it extra special!

Me outside Bath’s Holburn Museum before the start of the promenade

Every year we have met new people and everyone is always so friendly! It’s always great to swap tips and ideas for costumes for next year too. It was just a lovely time, but we had over 30 degree heat, so it was a lot of hard work. We ensured we had bonnets, parasols and fans but water bottles were also a must! Perhaps next time, my dad might think twice about dressing in full military uniform in that weather.

The picnic was the first one to be organised as an official part of the festival. Other attendees have held their own ones before now, but I think it was a fabulous addition to the lineup, especially as it was held on the grass park underneath the world famous Bath Crescent. It also helped that it was a warm day with no rain, great for picnics. I do envy the group that brought their own awning that looked like a campaign tent though.

Me and my dad in the Assembly Rooms

For me, my favourite part of the picnic was that it gave us all more chance to interact with the public than we could do on the promenade. A few young girls and families came and had their picture taken with us, including their own fans. Here’s hoping that they become the Jane Austen and Regency fans of the future! There were also a few people that said they were inspired and had already signed up for newsletters for when next year’s tickets come out. The more the merrier in my opinion.

Both me and my sister had many comments on our outfits, which was lovely. My sister had sewn in hidden pockets into our side seams, which were perhaps the most commented thing of the weekend. I think we may have given people a big tip there for next year! They were just the right size to discreetly hide a bottle of water in, which our reticules (the Georgian term for a handbag) couldn’t. Another participant talking to us about this said she also dresses in Victorian dress and said they had discreet pockets, which got me wondering if they were a Victorian invention. It turns out not, so pockets are Regency appropriate! However, unlike our pockets, they were not part of the outer garment. They were instead items you tied round your waist and worn under your petticoats, with secret slits in your outer garment to reach them. An image for demonstration is included below. So another tip is, pockets needed for this are actually period, so don’t forget them if you can include them in your outfit.

Pocket, 1796, possibly American, public domain from the MET Museum, New York

I would totally recommend visiting Bath during the Jane Austen Festival, which takes place for 10 days, starting from the second weekend in September. If participating isn’t your thing, I would certainly recommend lining the parade route for a look. It’s an impressive sight seeing so many people in period costume. As I said, it’s so much fun and you meet all sorts of people. We met people from England, America, Canada, Germany, Australia, Thailand, Sweden, just to name a few of the nationalities we saw. I love it as sometimes, it does feel like you’re in your own Jane Austen bubble at times, but really, we’re all just one international community.

You can find out more about the Jane Austen Festival, including the dates for the next two years (great for planning ahead!) using the following link: https://janeausten.co.uk/pages/festival-home-page

Upcoming Talks and Events Update

Before I start this post, I would like to thank everyone for their really kind comments since my announcement a few weeks ago of my biography of Anthony Woodville now being on preorder. The support I’ve received has been lovely and really positive, so thank you to everyone who’s sent their support.

The next few months are going to be exciting though. My next talk is once again on my research into Napoleonic Prisoners of War held in Chesterfield, a town local to where I live. If you’re a regular reader, you may have seen me mention this talk before as I have now done it a few times for local groups and once online. This time though, I will be doing this talk to raise money for a not-for-profit called the Loaves and Fishes Pantry Shop, which I help run out of the church I attend. It’s similar to a food bank but instead of offering free food, we offer discounted food to those who are still struggling or who are either unable to use a food bank or don’t quite qualify for their help.

The talk will be held at Alfreton Christian Centre, Derbyshire, on Saturday 21 October 2023. The tickets will be £5 per person. If you’re interested in the topic and are unable to attend, the online version I did back in February can be viewed using the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjWfICPU3yY&t=23s

General Exelmans changing horses at the Battle of Wertingen in October 1805, Wikimedia Commons

Back at the beginning of July, I did my first talk to raise money for them, which was on another local Derbyshire based topic of Anthony Babington and the Babington Plot. Babington lived just a few miles away from the town I live in (his family also had once owned a third of the manor there too), but his plot to put Mary Queen of Scots on the throne of England to replace Elizabeth I, ultimately led to Mary’s and his own executions. This was the first talk I had organised myself, rather than through a history group, so honestly, I didn’t expect many people. Amazingly, we had 25-30 people come, which is the largest in-person audience I have had to date. We raised £176 in total on the night. I also had really good feedback that everyone enjoyed themselves, with many asking if or when I’d be doing another talk. That’s why I decided to do another one. Hopefully the Napoleonic one will be as equally successful!

Portrait of a young gentleman, said to be Anthony Babington, Wikimedia Commons

My next paid talk takes place not long after the next fundraiser talk on Friday 27 October 2023 for another history group local to me, the Hucknall Heritage Society, which will be held at Hucknall Leisure Centre, Hucknall, Nottinghamshire at 2pm. The talk will be discussing Charles Dickens and whether he was really a champion of the poor in Victorian England.

I usually don’t cover the Victorian period too much, but Dickens is my second favourite author and is a much more complex figure than is first thought. This will be the first time I’ve done this talk, so hopefully it will go down well with the audience.

RHC2550 Applicants for Admission to a Casual Ward, 1874 (oil on canvas) by Fildes, Samuel Luke (1844-1927); 137.2×243.8 cm; Royal Holloway, University of London; English, out of copyright

Back to Anthony Woodville themed news though (yes, I know, I seem to have a thing for researching people called Anthony…). I have also had some interest in talks on this topic, including my first ever book signing to take place in March at the Castle Bookshop in Ludlow, where Anthony looked after the Prince of Wales for the last 10 years of his life. There is also the possibility of another talk at the same bookshop next summer, as well as possibly another venue. My local branch of the Richard III Society that I have attended since I was nine-years-old also want me to do a talk for them too, possibly in April. All of these events are to be confirmed, which is still quite mind blowing really. Haven’t quite got my head around the fact that after eight years of researching Anthony, with the hope of a publishing a book on him, that other people are interested in him and my research too. At times, even my family have made it sound like it’s been my unique obsession!

A reminder that if you live in the UK, you can preorder my biography of Anthony Woodville: Sophisticate or Schemer online from places such as Amazon, WHSmith, Waterstones and Blackwell’s. I’m not sure about any possible American preorder or publication dates yet, but once I know, I will make sure to update you all.

Anyway, thank you for reading my little update and I hope to be able to share more proper blog posts with you soon, there’s plenty more fascinating topics and ideas I want to cover!