Regency Life & Times

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Past and Present Easter Customs

During the Regency era, the Easter season was a time for celebration, much like it is nowadays. Here are three customs that were observed back then and are still popular today.

New Clothing – Roman tradition launched this custom to greet springtime and Easter with something new to wear. During the Regency period, white or pale gowns and bright bonnets were a change from the somber tone of Lent.

Colored Eggs – Eggs are a symbol of fertility and many cultures give eggs as gifts during springtime. Dying eggs was a common custom during the Regency period. In addition, decorated eggs, such as those created by Faberge, also became popular.

Celebratory Feasts – After observing Lent, the Easter meal was a time to savor a wealth of savory foods. Lamb and ham were customary, as were hot cross buns.

What is your favorite Easter tradition?

Source:  Jane Austen’s Easter

Regency Era Pregnancy Fashion

As a Regency romantic suspense author, I often write characters and scenarios that parallel modern life. Things like transportation and meals and holidays. I must then translate that familiar event into a historical context.

With all eyes on the Duchess of Sussex who is due to deliver her first child sometime this month, I’ve been fascinated by what it would have been like to be pregnant during the Regency Era, especially when it came to fashion.

A quick Google search revealed this interesting tidbits:

Society didn’t force women to hide their pregnancies during the Regency era, and the high-waisted fashion of the time was “baby-bump” friendly so women were able to were the same gowns for some time. (Source: Retro Maternity Style)

The average number of children for women during the Regency period was eight. When “in the family way,” they continued with regular social interactions until the birth of the child. (Source: A Life of Perpetual Pregnancy for Regency Women)

Some of the Georgian and Regency period styles were easily adaptable to pregnancy and nursing, which became increasingly popular in the upper classes. (Source:  Maternity Fashions in Regency England)

Love Regency romance? Look for the release of A Holiday Code for Love, coming to ebook in May.

Regency treats - Ice Cream

When July gets hot, ice cream is one of the best ways to cool down! But what about during the Regency, in the days before electric freezers? Some people were able to save ice from the cold months in “ice houses,” and use those for ice cream during the summer. Ice would also be transported from Norway and other colder countries to England to make icy treats.#Regency #icecream

What's on the menu - Jellied eels

Do you like Jell-O? Well, how about trying some jellied eels? During the Regency, eels would be served in clear gelatin as a delicious part of your meal. #Regency #dinner

Jane Austen's Favorite Home-brewed Mead

Jane Austen’s favorite recipe for home brewed mead:

To every gallon of water put 4 lbs of honey, and for 20 gallons add as follows: 2 oz of nutmeg, half an oz of mace, half an oz of cloves, 2 ozs of race-ginger, all just bruised, and sewed up in a linen bag; then add a large handful of sweet briar with the above, boil it all together for an hour, skimming it all the time it boils; then drain it off. Add a little balm to it, if it does not work, turn it and let it stand a day or two. Then add the juice of 6 good lemons, with the rind of them and your bag of spices in the barrel. Stop it up close for 10 or 12 months. Then bottle it for use. You may add some more spices if you like it.

– From Martha Lloyd’s Household Book