Regency Man Monday - The Prince Regeny

We can't have a theme of Regency men without the one man who made the Regency period, the Regency period.

His Royal Highness The Prince Regent

Born George Augustus Frederick on August 12,  1762, he was bestowed the titles of Duke of Cornwall and Duke of Rothesay automatically and became the Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester when he was a few days old. He was a good student and son, until he fell for Maria Fitzherbert, a Roman Catholic (shocked gasp).  The Act of Settlement 1701 would prevent her from succeeding to the throne and the Royal Marriages Act 1772 said that he would need his father's permission. Going against both the couple married in secret in 1785.  (Then there was a lot of hubbub about his debts, his father's disapproval, and his political standings.)

In 1788, King George III's mental health greatly deteriorated and it began his ultimate decline and Parliament started to discuss the idea of a Regent and who would be a best choice to be Regent.  Before The Regency Bill could be passed King George III recovered.

In 1795, George married his cousin Princess Caroline of Brunswick.  In 1796, their only child, Princess Charlotte was born.  Shortly after her birth they formally separated and George continued his on and off relationship with Maria Fitzherbert.

In 1810, King George's health declined again and this time the billed passed to become the Regency Act of 1811.  George became the Prince Regent on February 5, 1811. He 'ruled' in his father's place until King George died in 1820.

The Prince Regent became King George the IV on July 19, 1821.

For more information on Prinny you can read his Wikipedia article - George IV of the United Kingdom

For further reading there is a list at the bottom of the page or you can jump to it right here - References and further reading

Wordless Wednesday #45

Source: Rembrandt Peale [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons (full image) via CNJ JASNA on Pinterest

Wordless Wednesday #35 - Regency Winter Fashions

Source: via CNJ JASNA on Pinterest

A Regency Winter

I don't know if you've noticed...but it got cold here in New Jersey!

I was looking around for a Wordless Wednesday picture that would show something of winter wear for the Regency period.  During my search I found a wonderful document written by Linore Burkard.  Linore writes "inspirational romance for the Jane Austen soul."  (I'm going to have to look into her books!)

Anyway, here is her great write up of Regency Fashion in Winter.

Keep Warm Janeites!

Meet Eloisa James @ the Monmouth County Library!

Click here to view larger image and program details.

Regency Fashion

Source: maries-jewels-royals.blogspot.co.uk via Anne on Pinterest

A complete gold and opal parure, consisting of a tiara comb, necklace, two bracelets, earrings and a brooch.

Source: napoleon-fashion.com via Anne on Pinterest

Shawl. Silk and wool. Scotland, 1815-20.

Source: lesleyannemcleod.blogspot.com via Anne on Pinterest

A pair of pink glace kid slippers with stylized pattern of black floral moverall (stenciled!); pointed toe; very low heel covered with pink leather; pink silk cord ties single pair of eyelet holes at front; narrow ribbon covers seam

Source: west-moreland.tumblr.com via Anne on Pinterest

Source: lesleyannemcleod.tumblr.com via Anne on Pinterest

Gentleman's Suit, 1820s Nordiska Museet  

For more Regency Fashion check out Anne Tjaden's Pinterest board. 

Jane Austen Siting on Jepoardy!

During the Jeopardy! Round on Friday's game there was a Jane Austen siting.

The category was 2-WORD RESPONSES

The $1000 answer was - Jane Austen dedicated "Emma" to the future George IV, not by name but under this title

The Question - What is Prince Regent?

Before he was George IV, he was the Prince Regent ruling in his father's place during the years of 1811 and 1820.

Emma was dedicated to the dissolute Prince Regent (George Augustus Frederick), at his request; he was the uncle of Victoria, and was Prince Regent from 1811-1820 and later king George IV (1820-1830). Jane Austen was apparently not especially pleased by this honour (see her letter on the infidelities of the Prince and his wife). This episode was productive of her amusing correspondence with Mr. Clarke. - from Pemberley.com

 So easy right?  Wrong, this question stumped all three contestants.

I throw my gloves up in the air sometimes...

Source: tumblr.com via Jill on Pinterest 

Can you imagine throwing your gloves to tell a guy you're engaged and not having everyone else in the room look at you? Seems a little weird to me. Plus wouldn't your intended question why you would have to tell another man your engaged?

While checking out some background information on this topic I found a few blog posts over at a blog called Nineteen Teen They did a three part series on Flirting with Props. In Part 1 they talk about flirting with a handkerchief. In Part 2 they talk about flirting with gloves. In Part 3 they talk about flirting with fans.

Regency Era-Music

Our first meeting of 2012 is this weekend (Feb. 11) and we will be discussing "Music and influence on Jane Austen." In this month's newsletter Meredith included an article on Regency era music:

To be considered accomplished in Regency England, a young gentle- woman must be proficient in playing an instrument and singing. Evening entertainments often featured a display of the musical talents of the young ladies in attendance.

During the Regency Era, England was the center of pianoforte manufacture. In 1812, “The Repository of Arts, Literature, Commerce, Manufac- tures, Fashions and Politics” described pianofortes as “instruments of refined entertainment ... an indispensable article for apartments...” They featured a hand-colored print of a pianoforte from the extensive variety in the stock of Messrs. Wilkinson and Wornum of Ox- ford Street. The elegant instrument was six to seven feet in height, three feet nine inches wide, and twenty-one inches deep. This piano- forte was finished in mahogany and highly ornamented but was also available in rosewood and brass. “For touch, it is unrivalled, and in its adaptation to the voice, it is extremely happy, particularly that with two unisons or strings to one note.”

To read more of this article please see our February Newsletter.

2010 Calendar Diary

In a handsome hardcover format (roughly 10"x8"), Bas Bleu's Jane Austen Diary features roomy weekly agenda pages alongside colorful Regency era artwork from the British Library, evocative quotations from the beloved author’s works, and silhouette drawings by her nephew. With a pretty sewn-in ribbon bookmark, this unique desk calendar will keep Austen fanatics organized throughout the coming year. How lovely and practical!

Beautiful Regency inspired computer screen wallpapers

The original Ackermann's Repository of Arts, Literature, Fashions, Manufactures, &c. was published monthly from 1809-1829 by Rudolph Ackermann (1764-1834) in London. Each month's Repository featured a pair of fashion plates in addition to other illustrations and articles covering a variety of topics. Some issues included embroidery patterns and fabric samples, which have provided inspiration in the creation of Regency costumes and the genteel lifestyle seen in Jane Austen film adaptations. These delicate aquatint illustrations and lovely fashions continue to delight and inspire us two hundred years later.

Throughout 2009, new desktop wallpapers will be posted each month showcasing two fashion plates: one from 1809 and the other from a different year during Jane Austen's lifetime. Enjoy a year-long tour through this popular late Georgian-Regency publication!

Please see: http://www.solitary-elegance.com/ackermann.htm