Summertime Pleasures in Regency England

Donna Hatch
A song I learned as a child summed up summer activities beautifully: Oh, what do you do in the summertime, when all the world is green? Do you fish in a stream, or lazily dream on the banks as the clouds go by? Is that what you do? So do I! Oh, what do you do in the summertime, when all the world is green? Do you swim in a pool, to keep yourself cool,…

Summer in Regency England

Donna Hatch
Ah, summer! It conjures up images of lazy summer days sipping lemonade and swimming. In mid June to early July, when the whirl of the London Season wound down because parliament ended, the gentry and aristocracy went back to their country homes. Which begs the question, since they were so rich and didn’t have to work for a living, what did they do all day–especially in the summer? The answer to this may surprise you.…

Breeching Boys

Donna Hatch
When looking at old photos and portraits of families with very young children, one almost immediately notices that the boys and girls are dressed alike–in dresses. This custom existed well before the Regency Era, and possibly for hundreds of years prior. Throughout history in Europe and America, all children of both sexes wore dresses and petticoats which were simply considered children’s clothing and not gender-specific attire. Dresses were easier than pantaloons or breeches when a…

Gowns, Gowns, and More Gowns, and how often Regency Ladies Changed Clothes

Donna Hatch
Getting dressed during the Regency occupied much of a lady’s time, mostly because she had to do it so frequently every day. When a lady of wealth and quality arose, she usually threw on a dressing gown over her shift or her nightgown (also referred to as a night rail), whichever she preferred for sleeping.   After breaking her fast with a light meal which often included chocolate (hot, usually no cream or sugar), fruit and/or…

Leading Strings

Donna Hatch
I love looking at photos and portraits of people who lived long ago. We can gleam so much information by the way they dressed and posed. I often wonder about them, their lives, their thoughts. One detail in pictures that involve small children that I sometimes see is the presence of a belt or rope attached to the child’s garments right under the arm. These fabric belt is called Leading strings, sometimes also called Leading…

Why Regency is my Passion

Donna Hatch
I love many eras in history, but my favorite is the Regency. There are many reasons for this favorite. It was such a unique and brief, time in history. The Regency came amidst much social and economic change, filled with turmoil and trouble. What draws me to it are the customs and people who lived in that time. This may be a skewed and romanticized vision, but British gentlemen who live long ago as seemed…

Regency Easter Customs

Donna Hatch
By the Regency Era, Easter had evolved from its pagan origins to a much more religious, and family-friendly tradition. Normally Parliament did not begin its first session of the year until after Easter and activities were curtailed between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday, and especially during the 40 days of Lent when people were expected to refrain from “indulgence foods” like cakes or pastries, dairy foods, and fats Monday through Saturday, and from meat on…

Kitchens in Regency and Georgian England

Donna Hatch
I’m having my kitchen remodeled, a daunting and messy project that is not yet complete. Naturally, this event sparked the question in my historically-minded imagination about Regency kitchens.  This, of course, led to research. But first, I thought I’d share photos of my unimpressive kitchen. The homebuilder originally installed two lower cabinets, two and a half uppers, and a drawer bank which is next to the sink and dishwasher on the island. No doubt someone…

Mounting a Horse in Regency England

Donna Hatch
RIDING on Horseback is, confessedly, one of the most graceful, agreeable, and salutary of feminine recreations. No attitude, perhaps, can be regarded as more elegant than that of a lady in the modern side-saddle; nor can any exercise be deemed capable of affording more rational and innocent delight, than that of the female equestrian. From a Young Lady’s Equestrian Manual, published 1838. With few exception, most of my female characters are accomplished horsewomen. I cannot…

Riding Sidesaddle in Regency England

Donna Hatch
Riding sidesaddle was the epitome of genteel upbringing for the Regency lady. It provided a convenient form of transportation, a good method of obtaining fresh air and exercise, and a great way to socialize–especially with gentlemen 😉 . Riding sidesaddle also effectively proclaimed one’s wealth and status. Sometime during the 17th Century, ladies started riding sidesaddle, also known as aside. Prior to that they rode astride or sat in an awkward riding seat and hung…