Category Archives: Jane Austen

Somerset House, London, UK. London’s Best Places To Visit. #London #RegencyEra #BritishHistory

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Somerset House, London, UK.  London’s Best Places to Visit. Home to Royal Academy and The Great Institutions.

Demolition of the old house, between the Strand and the River Thames, began in 1775 and continued in stages as the new Somerset House was constructed around it. When the new building rose from the rubble, the Royal Academy, which had been one of the last occupants of the old Somerset House, became one of the first occupants of the apartments which fronted the Strand, providing tangible continuity between the old and the new.

1828 Map of London By Philip Horatio. Showing the English Opera House, Covent Garden, Lincolns Inn Fields, Drury Lane Theatre, The Strand, and Somerset House.
  • Timeline
  • 1547 Edward Seymour, Lord Protector and Duke of Somerset, starts building a palace for himself on the banks of the Thames
  • 1552 Seymour is executed at the Tower of London; ownership of his palace, nearly complete, passes to the Crown
  • 1553 Aged 20, Princess Elizabeth moves to Somerset House; she lives there until 1558, when she’s crowned Queen Elizabeth I
  • 1603 Anne of Denmark, wife of James I of England (James VI of Scotland), moves to Somerset House, which is renamed Denmark House in her honour
  • 1604 The Treaty of London, ending the 19-year Anglo-Spanish War, is negotiated and signed at Denmark House
  • 1609 Anne of Denmark invites Inigo Jones and other architects to redesign and rebuild parts of the palace; work continues until her death in 1619
  • 1625 Charles I is crowned king; his wife, Henrietta Maria of France, commissions Jones and others to undertake more construction and renovation work, including a lavish new Roman Catholic chapel completed in in 1636
  • 1642 The English Civil War begins; soon afterwards, General Thomas Fairfax takes over the palace as the headquarters for the Parliamentary Army
  • 1649 The Civil War ends and Charles I is executed; Parliament tries and fails to sell Denmark House, but successfully sells its contents for the then-huge sum of £118,000
  • 1652 Inigo Jones dies at Denmark House
  • 1660 After Charles II, her son, is crowned king at the start of the Restoration, Henrietta Maria returns to Denmark House; more new construction follows
  • 1665 The Plague sweeps London; Henrietta Maria moves back to France, where she dies in 1669
  • 1666 The Great Fire of London destroys much of the City of London, but stops just short of Denmark House
  • 1685 Charles II dies and his wife, Catherine of Braganza, moves into Denmark House; Sir Christopher Wren oversees yet more construction and renovation work
  • 1693 Catherine of Braganza leaves Denmark House, the last royal to live in the palace
  • early 1700s Denmark House is used as grace-and-favour apartments, offices, storage and stables
  • c.1750 Canaletto paints two views from the terrace
  • 1775 After decades of neglect, the original Somerset House is demolished; architect William Chambers immediately starts work on its replacement
  • 1779 The Royal Academy of Arts becomes the first resident of new Somerset House in what’s now known as the North Wing
  • 1780 The Royal Society and the Society of Antiquaries take up residence in the North Wing; Somerset House hosts the first Royal Academy Exhibition
  • 1786 The Embankment Building, known today as the South Wing, is completed; the East and West Wings are completed two years later
  • 1789 The Navy Board completes its move to Somerset House and eventually occupies one-third of the site; the Stamp Office, responsible for taxing newspapers and other documents, joins the board in the South Wing
  • 1795 William Chambers, then aged 72, retires; James Wyatt replaces him as the building’s architect
  • 1801 The new Somerset House is deemed complete, its construction having cost a mammoth £462,323
  • 1829 Sir Robert Smirke starts work on King’s College, which opens in 1831 and is finally completed in 1835
  • 1836 The General Register Office, responsible for births, deaths and marriages, is established here
  • 1837 One year after the final Royal Academy Exhibition at Somerset House, the academy moves to Burlington House on Piccadilly
  • 1849 Having merged in 1834, the Stamp Office and the Board of Taxes join with the Board of Excise to form the Inland Revenue, which remains in residence for more than 150 years
  • 1856 Seven years after James Pennethorne started work on its design, the New Wing is completed
  • 1857 The Royal Society moves out of Somerset House to join the Royal Academy of Arts at Burlington House; the Society of Antiquaries follows 17 years later
  • 1864 Work begins on the Victoria Embankment, designed by Sir Joseph Bazalgette; the embankment is completed in 1870
  • 1873 The Admiralty leaves Somerset House; its offices are taken over by the Inland Revenue
  • 1940s Near the start of World War II, the Inland Revenue temporarily moves out of Somerset House; the Ministry of Supply takes its place
  • 1950 Sir Alfred Richardson starts a two-year project to rebuild the Navy Staircase, known today as the Nelson Stair, which had suffered terrible bomb damage in 1940
  • 1970 After 134 years at Somerset House, the General Register Office moves out
  • 1989 The Courtauld Institute of Art moves into the North Wing
  • 1997 The Somerset House Trust is established to preserve and develop Somerset House for public use
  • 2000 The River Terrace opens to the public for the first time in more than a century; the Hermitage Rooms and the Gilbert Collection both open; then, in December, Somerset House installs a temporary ice rink for the first time
  • 2001 American band Lambchop plays the first gig in the Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court; a full programme of shows follows in 2002 and continues today as the Summer Series
  • 2009 London Fashion Week takes place at Somerset House for the first time
  • 2011 The HMRC (formerly the Inland Revenue) closes its offices at Somerset House
somerset_1819_Somerset House Terrace from Waterloo Bridge by John Constable ca. 1819 Oil on Panel ( @YaleBritishArt )
somerset_1788_Somerset House from the Thames by Edward Dayes 1788 (The Samuel Courtauld Trust, The Courtauld Gallery, London)_Lge_Sml
somerset_1750_The Thames from the Terrace of Somerset House, looking towards Westminster by Canaletto c. 1750 Oil on Canvas ( @YaleBritishArt )
somerset_1750_The Thames from the Terrace of Somerset House, looking towards Westminster by Canaletto c. 1750 Oil on Canvas ( @YaleBritishArt )_Lge_Sml
somerset_1745 Old Somerset House From the River Thames._By Canaletto_Oil on Canvas In A Private Collection_Lge_Sml
somerset_1813 Somerset House, London. From- 1813 Picture of London. via Google Books (PD-180)

The Royal Academy of Arts

George III, described as an “enthusiastic if undiscriminating collector and patron of the arts”, provided invaluable patronage for the three learned societies. When old Somerset House was relinquished by the Crown, the King reserved to himself the right to appropriate sufficient space in the new building for the Royal Academy of Arts, the Royal Society, and the Society of Antiquaries.

The Great Exhibition Room

somerset_1808_The Exhibition Room atSomerset House_Plate 2_Exhibition at Somerset House.
1808 The Exhibition Room at Somerset House.

The most important part of the building for the Royal Academy was its Exhibition Room. Situated at the top of the steep, winding staircase, it was roughly 53 x 43 feet and 32 feet high including the lantern, and was described by Joseph Baretti as, “undoubtedly at that date the finest gallery for displaying pictures so far built.” It was here that George III was given a preview of the first Royal Academy Exhibition held at his command in 1780. 

 Year by year, the exhibits increased. There were 547 in 1781, 1,037 in 1801, and 1,165 in 1821, so that the pictures had to be hung almost from floor to ceiling and with the frames touching one another. From 1832 onwards there was talk of the Royal Academy moving to more spacious rooms in what is now the National Gallery, which was being built at the north end of Trafalgar Square. Accordingly, the last exhibition at Somerset House was held in 1836.

 When the Academy moved, the most valuable decorations were taken down and reused in their new quarters. Later they were moved to Burlington House, the Royal Academy’s present home, where the ceiling paintings by Benjamin West and Angelica Kauffmann can now be seen in the entrance hall. The Academy’s old rooms at Somerset House were occupied by the Department of Practical Art, or Government School of Design.

The Royal Society

In 1776, they discovered they were to share the building to the east of the Strand entrance with the Society of Antiquaries, and complained to William Chambers that the accommodation would be inadequate; that the library would be too small and that there would be no room for the Society’s museum.

One of the first discoveries announced to the Society in its new quarters was that of a new planet, first observed by William Herschel in 1781. He wished to call the new planet Georgium Sidus in honour of the King, but other astronomers disagreed and today we know the planet as Uranus. Fellows of the Royal Society were keen to prevent war and politics interfering with the advancement of scientific discovery.

During the Napoleonic Wars of 1796-1815, the President of the Royal Society, Sir Joseph Banks, used his influence both in England and France to ensure that explorers of the two nations were not obstructed by the conflicting armed forces, and that French scientists should continue to be elected Fellows of the Society. When Sir Humphry Davy became president in 1820, the Society became oriented more towards pure scientific enquiry, to which ends, George IV founded two Gold Medals.

After the Royal Academy left Somerset House in 1837, the Royal Society remained there until 1857 when it joined the Academy at Burlington House.

The Society of Antiquaries

In 1776, the Antiquaries heard about the proposed new building at Somerset House, they decided to apply to George III, their Patron, for rooms there. After some intense lobbying by the President, the Reverend Dr Milles, the Society’s request for accommodation was favourably considered, and the King was, “most graciously pleased to order that the Society be accommodated with apartments in the new buildings at Somerset House.”

The resident Secretary of the Society was accommodated in the attic with three rooms “with deal dadoes, and Sienna marble and Sicilian jasper chimney-pieces”. The basement was hotly contested between the Royal Society and the Antiquaries, who were eventually allowed a kitchen, cellar, two vaults, and a privy. However, the lobby, originally intended for the footman in waiting, had to accommodate the Antiquaries’ porter as the Royal Society had taken possession of the Porter’s Lodge!

In the 1850s there was a proposal to move the Royal Society and the Antiquaries from Somerset House but, when the Royal Society moved out in 1857, the Antiquaries decided to remain, taking the opportunity to secure sole use of the disputed rooms, until they joined the other two learned societies at Burlington House in 1874.

The Navy Board

When the Admiralty moved into new premises in Whitehall in 1725, it was decided that the Navy Board, over whom the Admiralty had responsibility, should move to a site much closer; from Seething Lane behind the Tower of London to new offices at Somerset House. Chambers proposed to house the Navy Board on the west side of the south wing of the new building, in the part facing the river, with the Seamen’s Waiting Hall in the centre of the building providing an imposing entrance.

The related Sick and Hurt, Navy Pay, and Victualling Offices were to occupy the range of buildings on the west side of the courtyard. By 1789 the move was completed and, for nearly a century, more than a third of Somerset House was home to the various branches of the Navy Board.

 General Register Office

In 1836 the General Register Office was created to set up a comprehensive system for the registration of Births, Marriages and Deaths and appoint the first Registrar General based at Somerset House. It was not until 1970, after slightly less than a century and a half at Somerset House, that the General Register Office moved out.

Principal Probate Registry

 The Inland Revenue Stamp duty on documents, including newspapers, was only one of many revenue-raising methods administered by the Stamp Office, one of the government departments which moved to the new Somerset House in 1789. In 1834 the Stamp Office united with the Affairs of Taxes and in 1849 Stamps and Taxes joined the Excise to form a new Board of Inland Revenue. The Board of Inland Revenue today still occupies the east and west wings of Somerset House.

To read more of the history of Somerset House, visit their fascinating site.

Somerset House, London, UK. London's Best Places To Visit. #London #RegencyEra #BritishHistory https://books2read.com/suziloveROver Share on X
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1812 Man’s Wool, Linen, and Cotton Coat With Four Shoulder Capes, European. #RegencyEra #Fashion #Coat #MetMuseum

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1812 Man’s wool, linen, and cotton long coat with four shoulder capes, European. Also called a Carrick Coat, a Driving Coat, or a Redingote in France. via Metropolitan Museum, NYC, USA. ~ metmuseum.org Credit Line: Purchase, Irene Lewisohn Bequest, 1988. Accession Number: 1988.300

A Regency Era, or early 1800s, gentleman was outfitted in more practical fabrics, such as wool, cotton and buckskin rather than the fussy brocades and silks of the late 1700s. The men in Jane Austen’s life would have worn this sort of warm and practical coat like this when riding his horse in inclement weather or when driving his carriage.

1812 ca. Back View. Man's Caped Coat, Or Carrick Coat, European. Wool, linen, and cotton. via Metropolitan Museum New York City, U.S.A. metmuseum.org
1812 ca. Back View. Man’s Caped Coat, Or Carrick Coat, European. Wool, linen, and cotton. via Metropolitan Museum New York City, U.S.A. metmuseum.org
1812 ca. Front View. Man's Caped Coat, Or Carrick Coat, European. Wool, linen, and cotton. via Metropolitan Museum New York City, U.S.A. metmuseum.org
1812 ca. Front View. Man’s Caped Coat, Or Carrick Coat, European. Wool, linen, and cotton. via Metropolitan Museum New York City, U.S.A. metmuseum.org
1812 ca. Back View Black and White. Man's Caped Coat, Or Carrick Coat, European. Wool, linen, and cotton. via Metropolitan Museum New York City, U.S.A. metmuseum.org
1812 ca. Back View Black and White. Man’s Caped Coat, Or Carrick Coat, European. Wool, linen, and cotton. via Metropolitan Museum New York City, U.S.A. metmuseum.org
1812 ca. Front View Black and White. Man's Caped Coat, Or Carrick Coat, European. Wool, linen, and cotton. via Metropolitan Museum New York City, U.S.A. metmuseum.org
1812 ca. Front View Black and White. Man’s Caped Coat, Or Carrick Coat, European. Wool, linen, and cotton. via Metropolitan Museum New York City, U.S.A. metmuseum.org
1812 ca. Front View Black and White With Umbrella. Man's Caped Coat, Or Carrick Coat, European. Wool, linen, and cotton. via Metropolitan Museum New York City, U.S.A. metmuseum.org https://books2read.com/SuziLoveFashionMen1800-1819
1812 ca. Front View Black and White With Umbrella. Man’s Caped Coat, Or Carrick Coat, European. Wool, linen, and cotton. via Metropolitan Museum New York City, U.S.A. metmuseum.org
1812 Man's Wool, Linen, and Cotton Coat With Four Shoulder Capes, European. #RegencyEra #Fashion #Coat #MetMuseum https://books2read.com/SuziLoveFashionMen1800-1819 Share on X

From the finish of the 18th century until 1820, men’s fashions in European and European-influenced countries moved away from the formal wear of brocades, lace, wigs and powder to more informal and relaxed styles. Focus was on undress rather than formal dress. Typical menswear in the early 1800s included a tailcoat, a vest or waistcoat, either breeches, pants, or the newer trousers, stockings, shoes or boots, all worn with an overcoat and hat. This basic ensemble was accessorized with some form of neckcloth or cravat, gloves, walking stick, cane or riding crop, handkerchief, fobs, watch and perhaps a quizzing glass or eye glass. 

Skirted coats were replaced with short-fronted, or cutaway, tailcoats worn over fitted waistcoats and plain, white linen shirts. Knee breeches were gradually replaced by tight-fitting pantaloons and later trousers, decorative shoes with buckles were replaced with a variety of boot styles, and fussy and ruffled neckwear gave way to intricately tied, white linen neck cloths. A Regency Era, or early 1800s, gentleman was outfitted in more practical fabrics, such as wool, cotton and buckskin rather than the fussy brocades and silks of the late 1700s. 

1804 Men's Fashions In The Time Of Jane Austen. #Regency #Fashion #JaneAusten Share on X
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1808 Two Ladies In High-Waisted Dresses With Accessories, French. #Regency #Fashion #JaneAusten

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1808 Two ladies in high-waisted dresses, French. White dress with blue paisley shawl, blue shoes and red and white bonnet, blue dress with elaborate yellow trims, yellow shoes and bonnet to match.Fashion Plate via Journal des Dames et des Modes, or Costume Parisien.

These are the types of general morning dress worn by Jane Austen and contemporaries in England, as French fashion plates were obsessively copied despite the two countries being at war for many years. English fashion magazines frequently published plates copied from French fashion magazines and both French and English magazines published the same design for both single women’s fashion and for two ladies together.

Ladies clothing in the early 1800’s featured a high waist line called an Empire Line, or Empire style dress, with a waist line just under the natural bust line and much higher than the natural waist. The high-waisted, or short-bodied, Regency styles shifted focus away from the natural waist and so left the natural waist unconstricted, in direct contrast to previous and future styles. Britain took these simple European styles and progressively made them more elaborate by adding complicated embroidery and colorful accessories.

1808 Two ladies in high-waisted dresses, French. White dress with blue paisley shawl, blue shoes and red and white bonnet, blue dress with elaborate yellow trims, yellow shoes and bonnet to match.Fashion Plate via Journal des Dames et des Modes, or Costume Parisien.
1808 Two ladies in high-waisted dresses, French. White dress with blue paisley shawl, blue shoes and red and white bonnet, blue dress with elaborate yellow trims, yellow shoes and bonnet to match.Fashion Plate via Journal des Dames et des Modes, or Costume Parisien.
1808 Two Ladies In High-Waisted Dresses With Accessories, French. #Regency #Fashion #JaneAusten. https://books2read.com/SuziLoveFashionWomen1805-1809 Share on X
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Fashion Women 1805-1809 History Notes Book 26 What did Jane Austen and friends wear? This book looks at early 1800s fashions, which were elegant and pretty with high waists and fabrics that were almost transparent. These Empire style gowns, named after Napoleon’s first Empress, became popular throughout Europe, and were then copied around the world. Colorful outwear was added to make an ensemble more attractive and warmer. https://books2read.com/SuziLoveFashionWomen1805-1809

1810 French Gentleman In Riding Outfit Of Double-Breasted Brown Cutaway Coat. #RegencyEra #Bridgertons #JaneAusten #HistoricalFashion

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1810 French Gentleman. Riding outfit of double-breasted brown coat, tight pants with a side button decoration, jaunty black hat, gloves, and a crop. Fashion Plate via Journal des Dames et des Modes, or Costume Parisien.

In the early 1800s, men no longer wore complicated styles and extravagant fabrics. Men’s fashion simplified and became more conservative. A well cut tailcoat, vest, pantaloons and an immaculate cravat of beautiful white linen in the style of George Bryan, or Beau, Brummell. Clothes were a status symbol and indicated a man’s social position. These clothing items were the sort worn by Jane Austen’s male family and friends.

1810 Riding Outfit French Double-Breasted Brown Coat Fashion Plate via Journal des Dames et des Modes, or Costume Parisien.
1810 Riding Outfit French DoubleBreastedBrownCoat Fashion Plate via Journal des Dames et des Modes, or Costume Parisien.
1810 French Gentleman In Riding Outfit Of Double-Breasted Brown Cutaway Coat. #Regency #JaneAusten #Fashion. https://books2read.com/SuziLoveFashionMen1800-1819 Share on X
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1800s Early How Did Jane Austen Travel? The London To Louth Royal Mail. #RegencyEra #BritishHistory #JaneAusten

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The London To Louth Royal Mail, England, U.K. Print by Charles Cooper Henderson. (1803-1877)

How did Jane Austen and her family? Did they go by stagecoach? The dreadful condition of British roads caused great apprehension to all classes of travelers. Making a journey anywhere in the country was a big undertaking and often a gentleman composed his last will and testament before his departure.  Traveling in vehicles was only possible during the day or on the nights with very bright moonlight with few vehicles attempting road travel in winter and any travel on a Sunday was frowned upon. books2read.com/SuziLoveTravel

Description of Stage Coach Travel in England.  via 1815 Journal Tour of Great Britain. “The gentlemen coachmen, with half-a dozen great coats about them, immense capes, a large nosegay at the button-hole, high mounted on an elevated seat, with squared elbows, a prodigious whip, beautiful horses, four in hand, drive in a file to Salthill, a place about twenty miles from London, and return, stopping in the way at the several public-houses and gin-shops where stage-coachmen are in the habit of stopping for a dram, and for parcels and passengers on the top of the others as many as seventeen persons. These carriages are not suspended, but rest on steel springs, of a flattened oval shape, less easy than the old mode of leathern braces on springs. Some of these stage coaches carry their baggage below the level of the axletree.”

The London To Louth Royal Mail, England, U.K. Print by Charles Cooper Henderson. (1803-1877)
The London To Louth Royal Mail, England, U.K. Print by Charles Cooper Henderson. (1803-1877)
1800s Early How Did Jane Austen Travel? The London To Louth Royal Mail. #Regency #BritishHistory #JaneAusten books2read.com/SuziLoveTravel Share on X
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HN_10_D2D_RetailerBuyLink_Travel and Luggage By Suzi Love History Notes Book 10 #History #travel How did people travel in past centuries? What did they take with them to make their long journeys easier? books2read.com/SuziLoveTravel

1809 October Jane Austen Style Blue Ball Dress and Diamond Bandeau, English. #RegencyFashion #HistoricalFashion #JaneAusten

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1809 October Blue Ball Dress, English. A light blue, or grey chemise robe, of gossamer net, imperial crape, worn over white satin, ornamented up the front with French bows and knots of silver. A full melon sleeve, formed of the same material as the dress, and alternate stripes of white satin, finished with bows and knots of silver. A double roll of white satin around the neck by way of a tucker. Hair falling in natural and irregular curls on the forehead, confined in a bow and curled ends, or in plaited braids, at the back of the head with a diamond comb. Diamond bandeau, with necklace, armlets, and drop earrings of the same. Slippers of white satin, with silver clasps, French kid gloves, just escaping the elbow. Fan of carved ivory. Fashion Plate via Rudolph Ackermann’s ‘The Repository of Arts’.

Definition Bandana Or Bandeau: Narrow strip or band worn around head to confine hair. Made of either twisted fabric, length of pearls, flowers, jewels or feathers. From the French word for “strip.

1809 October Blue Ball Dress, English. A light blue, or grey chemise robe, of gossamer net, imperial crape, worn over white satin, ornamented up the front with French bows and knots of silver. A full melon sleeve, formed of the same material as the dress, and alternate stripes of white satin, finished with bows and knots of silver. A double roll of white satin around the neck by way of a tucker. Hair falling in natural and irregular curls on the forehead, confined in a bow and curled ends, or in plaited braids, at the back of the head with a diamond comb. Diamond bandeau, with necklace, armlets, and drop earrings of the same. Slippers of white satin, with silver clasps, French kid gloves, just escaping the elbow. Fan of carved ivory. Fashion Plate via Rudolph Ackermann's 'The Repository of Arts'.
1809 October Jane Austen Style Blue Ball Dress and Diamond Bandeau, English. #RegencyFashion #HistoricalFashion #JaneAusten https://books2read.com/SuziLoveFashionWomen1805-1809 Share on X
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1800s Almack’s Assembly Rooms, London, and Prized Regency Era Vouchers. #regencyera #almacks #london

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Almack’s Assembly Rooms often appear in Regency Era romances as they were a well known gathering place for those in the Ton looking for wives or husbands.  1770-1840 . Almack’s or Willis’s Rooms, King Street, St James, London, UK. Almack’s Assembly Rooms, founded by William Almack at No. 26-28, were on the site of the present Almack House. The club was originally a gaming establishment but moved from Pall Mall. The Assembly rooms were on the South side of King Street in St James’s and were opened on February 12, 1765. At the time the subscription was ten guineas for which there was a ball and supper each week for the twelve weeks of the season.

Assemblies were held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but only four or five times a season. Dates were listed in the paper along with the names of the Patronesses. When Lady Jersey took over Almack’s around 1815, assemblies were changed to Wednesdays. Many aristocrats were reportedly offended by something that happened at Almack’s but Lord Jersey is reported to have refused to duel over any inferred slights because it would have meant he was forever involved in a duel. The other well-known Patronesses were Lady Bathurst and Lady Downshire.

1826 Almack's Revisited by Charles White.: 'It was what most correct persons called 'horrid bad Almack's'. #RegencyEra #London #BritishHistory
1826 Almack’s Revisited by Charles White.: ‘It was what most correct persons called ‘horrid bad Almack’s’. #RegencyEra #London #BritishHistory
almacks_1817 April Ladies' Voucher for all the Wednesday balls at Almack's in April 1817. via Suzi Love suzilove.com & The Huntington Library, San Marino, California, U.S.A.
1817 April Ladies’ Voucher for all the Wednesday balls at Almack’s in April 1817. via The Huntington Library, San Marino, California, U.S.A.
1815 The First Quadrille at Almack’s Assembly Rooms, London. Left to Right: Marquis of Worcester, Lady Jersey, Clanronald MacDonald and Lady Worcester. “It was not until 1815 that Lady Jersey introduced from Paris the favourite quadrille, which has so long remained popular. I recollect the persons who formed the very first quadrille that was ever danced at Almack’s: they were Lady Jersey, Lady Harriett Butler, Lady Susan Ryde, and Miss Montgomery; the men being the Count St Aldegonde, Mr Montgomery, Mr Montague, and Charles Standish.” From The Reminiscences of Captain Gronow 1810-1860.
1815 The First Quadrille at Almack’s Assembly Rooms, London. Left to Right: Marquis of Worcester, Lady Jersey, Clanronald MacDonald and Lady Worcester. “It was not until 1815 that Lady Jersey introduced from Paris the favourite quadrille, which has so long remained popular. I recollect the persons who formed the very first quadrille that was ever danced at Almack’s: they were Lady Jersey, Lady Harriett Butler, Lady Susan Ryde, and Miss Montgomery; the men being the Count St Aldegonde, Mr Montgomery, Mr Montague, and Charles Standish.” From The Reminiscences of Captain Gronow 1810-1860.
1765-1840 ca. Almack's, or Willis's, Assembly Rooms, South Side Of King Street, St James, London. commons.wikimedia.org

1765-1840 ca. Almack’s, or Willis’s, Assembly Rooms, South Side Of King Street, St James, London. commons.wikimedia.org

1800s Early Exterior of Almack's Assembly Rooms, London, UK.

1800s Early Exterior of Almack’s Assembly Rooms, London, UK.

Captain Gronow, an army officer in London around 1814, wrote about the rules of Almack’s in Captain Gronow’s Recollections and Anecdotes, 1864 , but only gives his views on a few years of Almack’s history.

Almack's The fair ladies who ruled supreme over this little dancing and gossiping world, issued a solemn proclamation that no gentleman should appear at the assemblies without being dressed in knee-breeches, white cravat, and chapeau bras. From Captain Gronow's Recollections 1864.
Almack's In 1814, the dances were Scotch reels and the old English country-dance; and the orchestra, being from Edinburgh, was conducted by the then celebrated Neil Gow. From Captain Gronow's Recollections 1864.
In 1814, the dances were Scotch reels and the old English country-dance; and the orchestra, being from Edinburgh, was conducted by the then celebrated Neil Gow. From Captain Gronow’s Recollections 1864.
Almack's Few ventured to waltz at first, but in course of time, the waltzing mania, having turned the heads of society generally, descended to their feet, and the waltz was practiced in the morning in certain noble mansions in London with unparalleled assiduity. From Captain Gronow's Recollections 1864
Almack's 1864 On one occasion, the Duke of Wellington was about to ascend the staircase of the ball-room, dressed in black trousers, When the vigilant Mr Willis, the guardian of the establishment, stepped forward and said, "Your Grace cannot be admitted in trousers," Whereupon the Duke, Who had a great respect for Orders and regulations, quietly walked away _ From Captain Recollections
Almack's Assembly Rooms, London, and Prized Regency Era Vouchers. #regencyera #almacks #london books2read.com:suziloveYLD Share on X
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1814 Jane Austen Era Gentleman’s Redingote, or coat, top hat and high boots. #JaneAusten #RegencyEra #MensFashion #France

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1814 Gentleman’s Redingote, or Overcoat, French. Back View of coat with back pleats and metal buttons worn with high topped boots, top hat, and a cane. Fashion Plate via Journal des Dames et des Modes, or Costume Parisien.

Definition Redingote Or Coat: French word developed from English words, riding coat. Long fitted outdoor coat worn over other garments for warmth. Originally made with several capes and trimmed with large buttons. For women, the coat was often cut away in the front or left open to show off the dress underneath.  French fashion plates call these coats Redingotes and they were worn by men, women, and children. English fashion plates call the coats a Pelisse, a walking dress, Promenade dress, or Carriage dress.

1814 Gentleman's Redingote, or Overcoat, French. Back View of coat with back pleats and metal buttons worn with high topped boots, top hat, and a cane. Fashion Plate via Journal des Dames et des Modes, or Costume Parisien.https://books2read.com/SuziLoveFashionMen1800-1819
1814 Jane Austen Era Gentleman's Redingote, or coat, top hat and high boots. #JaneAusten #RegencyEra #MensFashion #France books2read.com/SuziLoveFashionMen1800-1819 Share on X
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What did Jane Austen wear? Her family and friends wore elegant and pretty fashions in the early 1800s. #Regency #JaneAusten #Fashion

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What did Jane Austen and friends wear? Early 1800s fashions were elegant and pretty with high waists and fabrics that were almost transparent. These Empire style gowns, named after Napoleon’s first Empress, became popular throughout Europe, and were then copied around the world. Colorful outwear was added to make an ensemble more attractive and warmer. History Notes Book 26 Fashion Women 1805-1809.
https://books2read.com/SuziLoveFashionWomen1805-1809

The Empire waist gown defined women’s fashion during the Regency Era. ‘Empire’ is the name given in France to the period when Napoleon built his French Empire.

High-waisted, loose gowns were adopted by the aristocracy as a symbol of turning away from the fussy, elaborate and expensive clothing worn in the 1700s. Jean-Jaques Rousseau advocated copying peasants and returning to a simpler life and more natural fashions. Unrestricting clothing was part of the new Democracy in France and these simpler and flowing fashions were adopted all over Europe, including Britain and despite the continual wars being fought against France during the early 1800s. Not even war stopped fashions from being copied everywhere.

HN_26_Fashion Women 1805-1809 History Notes Book 26 What did Jane Austen and friends wear? This book looks at early 1800s fashions, which were elegant and pretty with high waists and fabrics that were almost transparent. These Empire style gowns, named after Napoleon's first Empress, became popular throughout Europe, and were then copied around the world. Colorful outwear was added to make an ensemble more attractive and warmer. https://books2read.com/SuziLoveFashionWomen1805-1809
Fashion Women 1805-1809 History Notes Book 26 What did Jane Austen and friends wear? This book looks at early 1800s fashions, which were elegant and pretty with high waists and fabrics that were almost transparent. These Empire style gowns, named after Napoleon’s first Empress, became popular throughout Europe, and were then copied around the world. Colorful outwear was added to make an ensemble more attractive and warmer. https://books2read.com/SuziLoveFashionWomen1805-1809
What did Jane Austen wear? Her family and friends wore elegant and pretty fashions in the early 1800s. #RegencyFashion #JaneAusten #HistoricalFashion https://books2read.com/SuziLoveFashionWomen1805-1809 Share on X
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1795-1810 ca. Roller Printed Dress. Jane Austen style Regency Fashion. 

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1795-1810 ca. Roller Printed Dress, English. Empire style, high-waisted, roller printed dress with skirt gathered at the back to create a full skirt and with simple V-necked bodice and long sleeves.  Sleeves are closed with a narrow band of fabric which fastens with a hook and eye. via Victoria and Albert Museum, London, UK.  1810 ca. Sewing of Gown. 1795-1799 ca. Fabric Block Printing. Pattern of floral trails blends influences from Indian-painted and printed textiles, and woven silks, a style which remained popular until the end of18th century.

The pattern of floral trails seen on the printed fabric of this gown exhibits a blend of influences from Indian-painted and printed textiles, and woven silks, a style which remained popular until the end of the 18th century. The sleeves of this gown are closed with a narrow band of fabric, which fastens with a hook and eye.

The dress is styled with a high-waisted , fitted bodice, which fastens centrally. The neck, which is trimmed with a 1″ frill of matching material, is rounded a the back and V-shaped at the front. The bodice is lined with white cotton which extends 1/3 of the way down the full length tapered sleeves. A trimming decorations is attached to the wrist of the right sleeve (made from the same material and lined with white cotton), which fastens with a metal hook and eye at the hip. The skirt has an ‘apron’ style front with fastening tapes attached to either side, in addition to this there are vertical pocket slits situated at either side of the skirt measuring 11″. The front and rear sides of the skirt are constructed from one width of fabric – 39.5″ wide. The waistline at the back of the skirt is gathered a the centre and is constructed from two pieces of material measuring 46″ wide.

The cotton has blue threads in the selvedges denoting English origin, and is block printed in a polychrome palette with pencilled blue on a white ground. The design consists of an all-over pattern of delicate floral trails of carnations, pinks an other stylised flowers interspersed by vertical arborescent meanders bearing exotic fruits and stylised flowers. The pattern repeat measures 10.5″ by 10″.

1795-1810 ca. Gown, English, 1810 ca. Sewing of Gown. 1795-1799 ca. Fabric Block Printing. Pattern of floral trails blends influences from Indian-painted and printed textiles, and woven silks, a style which remained popular until the end of18th century. Sleeves closed with narrow band of fabric, which fastens with hook and eye. collections.vam.ac.uk
1795-1810 ca. Gown, English, 1810 ca. Sewing of Gown. 1795-1799 ca. Fabric Block Printing. Pattern of floral trails blends influences from Indian-painted and printed textiles, and woven silks, a style which remained popular until the end of18th century. Sleeves closed with narrow band of fabric, which fastens with hook and eye. collections.vam.ac.uk
1795-1810 ca. Gown, English, 1810 ca. Sewing of Gown. 1795-1799 ca. Fabric Block Printing. Pattern of floral trails blends influences from Indian-painted and printed textiles, and woven silks, a style which remained popular until the end of18th century. Sleeves closed with narrow band of fabric, which fastens with hook and eye. collections.vam.ac.uk
1795-1810 ca. Gown, English, 1810 ca. Sewing of Gown. 1795-1799 ca. Fabric Block Printing. Pattern of floral trails blends influences from Indian-painted and printed textiles, and woven silks, a style which remained popular until the end of18th century. Sleeves closed with narrow band of fabric, which fastens with hook and eye. collections.vam.ac.uk
1795-1810 ca. Gown, English, 1810 ca. Sewing of Gown. 1795-1799 ca. Fabric Block Printing. Pattern of floral trails blends influences from Indian-painted and printed textiles, and woven silks, a style which remained popular until the end of18th century. Sleeves closed with narrow band of fabric, which fastens with hook and eye. collections.vam.ac.uk
1795-1810 ca. Gown, English, 1810 ca. Sewing of Gown. 1795-1799 ca. Fabric Block Printing. Pattern of floral trails blends influences from Indian-painted and printed textiles, and woven silks, a style which remained popular until the end of18th century. Sleeves closed with narrow band of fabric, which fastens with hook and eye. collections.vam.ac.uk
1795-1810 ca. Roller Printed Dress. Jane Austen style Regency Fashion. #RegencyFashion #georgianfashion #janeausten https://books2read.com/SuziLoveFashionWomen1800 Share on X
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