Regency England

The short Regency period is a romantic time of innocence and discovery. The rug had been pulled out from under the gentry. They were forced to endure life in a way their parents never dreamed, and in turn, it forced them to turn their focus inward toward their relationships and their homes.

The King, George III, was allegedly mad. In fact, he had porphyria.

A pleasure-loving, hedonistic, egocentric, reserved, but oh so regal, George, Prince of Wales, became regent.

He earned the disdain of society - but he was their king regent - and he was the dictate of society. He lived as if nothing mattered but the elegance of his homes, the excellence of his food, and his current pleasure and entertainment. On top of that, he was extremely dignified and reserved toward others. The ton followed his example. It became unfashionable to be overtly religious or emotional.

Luckily, the Regency period only lasted from 1811 - 1820.

He set the tone for the ton, who , influenced their tenants and servants. The feeling of family and home was destroyed by the war. The feeling of prosperity was destroyed by the self absorbed prince.

During the turbulent Napoleonic years, an overbearing upper class attitude of “anything goes"and England was still “merry old England." While this freedom possibly gave rise to the industrial revolution, it did little for the lives of the English.

That is why many regencies have an air of 'waiting' or 'living in limbo.' The heroines are not looking for sex, they want to find the meaning of life, a purpose for their existence.

Women had more freedom than they had previously. They were allowed to, carefully, step out and take charge. Of course, the skill of managing your husband was still instilled into a woman from childhood. And, women were taught to manage their homes and servents, but they were permitted to dream, attempt business, and even make purchases without their husbands signature or presence.