Light-Hearted look at an Older Lady’s Life In Jane Austen’s Times, or early 1800s. An easy to read overview of what an older lady did, wore, and how she lived in the early 19th Century. Information for history buffs and pictures for readers and writers of historical fiction. Older Lady’s Day, Regency Life Series, Book 5, by Suzi Love. books2read.com/suziloveOLD
The older lady’s day usually started with her toilette in her bedroom, where her maid helped her dress for the day and styled her hair. After that, she would join her family downstairs for breakfast unless she preferred a tray with either tea or hot chocolate in her bedroom as she prepared for her busy day. Her day would be made up of speaking with the housekeeper and the cook about the week’s menus, assuring that the servants were all available that day and no one was ill, and checking the list of foods needed. She would also enquire if the laundry was up to date and that they had enough good linen to make up all the beds before extended family members and guests arrived. If she was in the country and hosting a weekend house party, she would assign rooms to the guests on her lists and query that all was in readiness for their arrival.
1815 May. Walking Dress, or Pelisse, or Redingote, English. Purple walking dress with wide collar, high white lace neck frill, and white trim down the vertical opening, white reticule, and a high white plumed hat. Fashion Plate via Rudolph Ackermann’s ‘The Repository of Arts’. Google Books (PD-180) suzilove.com Fashion Plate via Rudolph Ackermann’s ‘The Repository of Arts’.
Definition: Walking Dress Or Pelisse Or Redingote Woman’s long, fitted coat often worn open in front to show off the dress underneath. Walking Dress Or Pelisse are the terms used in English fashion plates, while Redingote is seen in European fashion plates, especially the French one, Journal des Dames et des Modes, or Costume Parisien.
“It is particularly incumbent on those who never change their opinion, to be secure of judging properly at first.” Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice (1813) .#JaneAusten #Regency #Quote
1810 Fawn Cotton Gown, with a train decorated with embroidered flowers. Regency fashion at its prettiest. The style of Empire style, or high-waisted, dress worn by Jane Austen and her contemporaries. via Gemeenteneun Museum Den Haag. Dutch Museum, the Netherlands. http://www.gemeentemuseum.nl
1885 Three Piece Side Saddle Riding Habit. Double breasted boned jacket with notched lapel, mother of pearl buttons, sleeve gathered at shoulder, over- skirt with side hook & eye closures, button and loop, fall front leggings, leather stirrups, braided trim. via suzilove.com Whitaker Auction whitakerauction.smugmug.com
1800s “Admiration”. By Vittorio Reggianini. Oil on canvas. This looks like a typical drawing room scene from Jane Austen’s lifetime, or the early 1800s, or the Regency Era. Via Wikimedia Commons commons.wikimedia.org
1800s Different Degrees Of Nobility In Great Britain and Ireland. FIVE LEVELS.
BENEATH THESE COME THE BARONS: The rank and precedence of Baronets is immediately after the younger sons of Barons, and before all Knights, whether of the Order or Knights. When the Order of Baronets was first instigated, its numbers were limited to 200. Members were carefully selected from the most wealthy and distinguished families of landed gentry. In the reign of the first Charles, it was the stimulus and reward for devoted loyalty. Later, it was often bestowed as an honorary recompense for sufferings and attachment when royalty was unable or unwilling to give solid remuneration. FROM: 1835 Debrett’s Baronetage of England
PRINCES of the BLOOD ROYAL: The Sovereign’s sons, brothers, and uncles are styled Princes of the Blood Royal, and have precedency of all other dukes, with the title of Royal Highness, which title was also, by special warrant, in 1816, conferred on the duke of Gloucester, deceased, and, 6th April 1818, on Prince Leopold of Saxe Cobourg (King of the Belgians). FROM: 1840 Debrett’s Peerage of the UK
THE PRIVILEGES OF THE PEERS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND. The nobility of England enjoy many great privileges, the principal of which are as follow:-
1. They are free from all arrest for debts, as being the king’s hereditary counsel
lors. Therefore a peer cannot be outlawed in any civil action and no attachment lies against his Person. This privilege extended also to their members of the lower house, till the year 1770, when their lordships joined the house of commons in a bill for abolishing it.
2. In criminal causes they are only tried by their peers, who give their verdict, not upon oath as other juries, but only upon their honor: and then a court is fitted up for the purpose in the middle of Westminster hall, at the king’s charge.
3. To secure the honor of, and prevent the spreading of any scandal upon peers, or any great officer of the realm,there is an express law called scanda lum magnutum by which any man convicted of making a scandalous report against a peer of the realm ( though true ) is condemned to an arbitrary fine , and to remain in custody till the same be paid .
4. Upon any great trial in a court of justice a peer may come into the court and sit there uncovered. No peer can be covered in the royal presence without permission for that purpose, except the lord baron of Kinsale, of his majesty’s kingdom of Ireland. In case of the poll tax, the peers bear the greatest share of the burden, they being taxed every one according to his degree.
1845-1865 ca. Black Faille Evening Slippers, French. Designed By Melnotte for Department Store J. Petit. Black slippers, which went with anything, were an essential for mid 1800s fashionable ladies. Generally made of satin so dull faille fabric is unusual so possibly for mourning. Label written largely in French of London shop, exclusive agent, plus other fashionable imported Parisian accessories. via Metropolitan Museum, NYC, U.S.A. metmuseum.org
19th Century Early Jane Austen and Bridgerton Style Gold Silk Spencer With Puffed Shoulder. With V-shaped rouleaux trim to the bodice and puffed shoulder detail. via Christie’s Auction Rooms. christies.com
1800-1810 ca. Flat Silk Slippers With Ankle Ties Worn By Empress Josephine Bonaparte and As Worn By Jane Austen And friends. #Regency #Shoes #JaneAusten #France
Shoes in the early 1800s were flat or low heeled and occasionally decorated with a bow or floral embellishments and it wasn’t until the 1820s that square, rather than rounded or pointed toes became fashionable. Made of soft kid or cloth, these delicate shoes were flimsy and wore out quickly. There was often no difference between a left or right shoe, so when one slipper had a hole it was easily replaced. Slippers were often bought in multiples at a time so there were spares.
