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Tag Archives: England

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1820 1. London, the English Metropolis. via The English Metropolis By John Corry. via google books.

London in Bridgerton and Jane Austen Years. via 1820 The English Metropolis By John Corry. #Bridgerton #JaneAusten #RegencyEra #London #GoogleBooks

Suzi Love Posted on May 10, 2025 by Suzi LoveMay 10, 2025

Regency London 1820 The English Metropolis By John Corry Via Google Books (PD-180)

This great metropolis is sixty miles distant from the sea; it is built on the banks of the river Thames; is about seven miles in length, from east to west, but of an irregular breadth, being in some parts two miles, in others three, and at the broadest part four miles. Its three distinct and municipal divisions are, the city of London, the city of Westminster, and the borough of Southwark, which, with their extensive suburbs, cover a space of more than twenty miles in circumference.  According to the Population Return of 1811, this metropolis then contained 149,430 houses, including those building and uninhabited; and since that period there have been but few new houses built, so that the real number is probably not more than 150,000.

In the year 1801, the population of London was ascertained to be 900,000.  The number in 1811, amounted to 1,009,546. Beneath the pavement large arched sewers communicate with the houses by smaller ones, with the street by small openings covered with iron grating, and with the Thames, which contributes much to the cleanliness and health of the inhabitants of this populous place. Houses on each side of these streets are lofty, spacious, and commodious, generally four stories high, and chiefly occupied by tradesmen, whose shops present the most beautiful and perfect productions of nature and art for the general accommodation of man, There are two extensive lines of commercial streets from east to west, the principal of which begins at Mile End, and thence through Whitechapel, Aldgate,Leadenhall-street, Cornhill, Cheapside, St. Paul’s Church-yard,Ludgatehill, Fleet-street, the Strand, Pall Mall, St. James’s-street, and’ Piccadilly, to the southern side of Hyde Park. But besides these numerous storehouses of merchandise, there are also many thousand shops in various directions. Ample supplies of water afforded by the Thames And New River Water-works, are essentially conducive to the health and comfort of the inhabitants.

St. Paul’s Church is the most magnificent. It is situated near the northern bank of the Thames, and when viewed from Blackfriar’s Bridge in the vicinity, presents one of the noblest ornaments of superb architecture ever beheld by the human eye. This beautiful cathedral is built of Portland stone, in the form of a. cross, adorned in the central part by a lofty dome, on the summit of which is a light and elegant lantern, ornamented with Corinthian columns, and surrounded by a balcony. Next to St. Paul’s cathedral for magnificence, and even greater in extent, is that fine monument of gothic architecture Westminster Abbey, or the collegiate church of St. Peter.Among the modern churches that of St. Mary-le-Bone is remarkable for a spacious and stately portico composed of eight columns and two pilasters of Portland stone, in the Corinthian order. This church is built north and south, and the northern front, which is opposite the Regent’s Park.

 The Tower of London, which has been the scene of many a tragic and affecting event, is the only fortress in the city. It is situated on the northern bank of the Thames, eastward of London Bridge, contains the Jewel Office, Mint, three armouries, and the royal train of artillery. The menagerie, near the west entrance, has for ages been a principal object of attraction to rustic visitors, who on their arrival considered it indispensable to see the lions.

1820 11. London Houses. via The English Metropolis By John Corry. via google books.
1820 10 Carlton House. via The English Metropolis By John Corry. via google books.
1820 9. Regency Criminals. via The English Metropolis By John Corry. via google books.
1820 8. Four In Hand Club. via The English Metropolis By John Corry. via google books.
1820 7 London Shops. via The English Metropolis By John Corry. via google books.
1820 6. Sudden Disappearance Of A Man Of Fashion. via The English Metropolis By John Corry. via google books.
1820 5. Moral Corruption. via The English Metropolis By John Corry. via google books.
1820 4. Bond Street. via The English Metropolis By John Corry. via google books.
1820 London Morality. via The English Metropolis By John Corry. via google books.
1820 3. Population Of Regency London. via The English Metropolis By John Corry. via google books.
1820 2. London In 1820. via The English Metropolis By John Corry. via google books.
London in Bridgerton and Jane Austen Years. via 1820 The English Metropolis By John Corry. #Bridgerton #JaneAusten #RegencyEra #London #GoogleBooks https://books2read.com/suziloveROver Share on X
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Posted in 1800s, Bridgerton, Customs & Manners, Google Books, History, Jane Austen, Legal, London, Quotations, Regency Era, Suzi Love Images | Tagged Bridgerton, England, Jane Austen, London, Regency Era, Regency London

1808 Gentleman’s Ball Outfit Of Tailcoat and Knee Breeches Worn In Jane Austen’s Times. #RegencyEra #JaneAusten #RegencyFashion

Suzi Love Posted on April 7, 2025 by Suzi LoveApril 7, 2025

1808 Gentleman’s Ball Outfit, French. Long tailcoat, black knee breeches, white stockings, high white cravat, white stockings, black shoes and gloves. Fashion Plate via Journal des Dames et des Modes, or Costume Parisien. Typical Gentleman’s outfit as worn by men to balls and evening events in Jane Austen’s Times.

1808 Gentleman's Ball Outfit, French. Long tailcoat, black knee breeches, white stockings, high white cravat, white stockings, black shoes and gloves. Fashion Plate via Journal des Dames et des Modes, or Costume Parisien.
1808 Gentleman's Ball Outfit Of Tailcoat and Knee Breeches Worn In Jane Austen's Times. #Regency #JaneAusten #Fashion 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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Posted in 1800s, 1800s Mens Fashions, Coat or Pelisse Or Redingote, fashion accessories, France, pants, Regency Era, Regency Fashion, shoes, Suit, Suzi Love Images, Vest or Waistcoat | Tagged 1800s men fashion, breeches, cravat, dancing, England, fashion accessories, Fashion Plate, gloves, Hats And Hair, Jane Austen, Journal des Dames et des Modes, pants, Regency Fashion, Shoes, stockings, Tailcoat, Vest or Waistcoat

1805 January 1st Worcester and London Royal Mail Coach, England. #Regency #Travel #JaneAusten

Suzi Love Posted on March 9, 2025 by Suzi LoveMarch 8, 2025

11805 January 1st Worcester and London Royal Mail Coach. The sort of mail coach that Jane Austen and famioy would have either ridden in or sent mail through. Publisher: William Miller, Albermarle Street, London, U.K. Hand colored print. Coach is grey and purple with red wheels and drawn by four white horses. Below the mail guard it is printed, ‘N.17’. Via British Postal Museum, London, U.K. postalmuseum.org

1805 January 1st Worcester and London Royal Mail Coach. Publisher: William Miller, Albermarle Street, London, U.K. Hand colored print. Coach is grey and purple with red wheels and drawn by four white horses. Below the mail guard it is printed, 'N.17'. Via Suzi Love suzilove.com British Postal Museum, London, U.K. postalmuseum.org
1805 January 1st Worcester and London Royal Mail Coach. Publisher: William Miller, Albermarle Street, London, U.K. Hand colored print. Coach is grey and purple with red wheels and drawn by four white horses. Below the mail guard it is printed, ‘N.17’. Via Suzi Love suzilove.com British Postal Museum, London, U.K. postalmuseum.org
1805 January 1st Worcester and London Royal Mail Coach In Jane Austen's times. #RegencyEra #historicTravel #JaneAusten #BritishHistorybooks2read.com/SuziLoveTravel Share on X
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Posted in 1800s, Carriage, England, Jane Austen, postal, Regency Era, Suzi Love Images, travel | Tagged British history, British Postal Museum, carriages, England, google books, Jane Austen, mail coach, postal, Regency Era, Suzi Love Images, travel

1818 September 18th ‘A Peep at the French Monstrosities’ By George Cruikshank. #Bridgerton #RegencyFashion #Cartoon #England

Suzi Love Posted on January 28, 2025 by Suzi LoveJanuary 14, 2025

1818 September 18th Le Palais Royal de Paris. ‘A Peep at the French Monstrosities’. Two English tourists dressed as dandies walk arm-in-arm under the arcade of the Palais Royal, interested in the promenading courtesans. Their dress is rather similar to that of the Englishmen, but the latter wear bell-shaped top-hats, while the Frenchmen have flower-pot shaped hats. By George Cruikshank. Via British Museum, London, UK. britishmuseum.org (PD-Art)

1818 September 18th Le Palais Royal - de Paris 'A Peep at the French Monstrosities'. Two English tourists dressed as dandies walk arm-in-arm under the arcade of the Palais Royal, interested in the promenading courtesans. Their dress is rather similar to that of the Englishmen, but the latter wear bell-shaped top-hats, while the Frenchmen have flower-pot shaped hats. By George Cruikshank. Via Suzi Love - suzilove.com & British Museum, London, UK. britishmuseum.org (PD-Art)
1818 September 18th 'A Peep at the French Monstrosities' By George Cruikshank. #Bridgerton #RegencyFashion #Cartoon #England Share on X
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Posted in 1800s, 1800s Mens Fashions, 1800s women's fashion, cartoon, Coat or Pelisse Or Redingote, Customs & Manners, Dress Or Robe, England, fashion accessories, France, hats, London, pants, Pastimes, Regency Era, Regency Fashion, Reticule or Bag, shoes, Suit, Suzi Love Images, Vest or Waistcoat | Tagged 1800s men fashion, 1800s women's fashion, Bridgerton, British history, British Museum, Cartoons, cravat, Dress Or Gown, England, fashion accessories, google books, Hats And Hair, Regency Fashion, Regency Life, Regency Men, Regency Women, Shoes, Tailcoat, Vest or Waistcoat

1807 Gentleman’s Everyday Outfit Worn During Jane Austen’s Years. #RegencyFashion #JaneAusten #HistoricalFashion

Suzi Love Posted on January 14, 2025 by Suzi LoveJanuary 8, 2025

1807 Gentleman’s Everyday Outfit, French. Brown coat, high collared shirt, and vest simply tied, wit a cravat and a black hat and a cane. Brutus style hair cut of curled hair. Fashion Plate via Journal des Dames et des Modes, or Costume Parisien.

https://books2read.com/SuziLoveFashionMen1800-1819

French fashions and Georgian and Regency Era fashions from Great Britain were copied around the world. This is what men wore in the times of Jane Austen for city and country life.

1807 Gentleman's Everyday Outfit, French. Brown coat, high collared shirt, and vest simply tied, wit a cravat and a black hat and a cane. Brutus style hair cut of curled hair. Fashion Plate via suzilove.com and Journal des Dames et des Modes, or Costume Parisien.
1807 Gentleman's Everyday Outfit Worn During Jane Austen's Years. #RegencyFashion #JaneAusten #HistoricalFashion https://books2read.com/SuziLoveFashionMen1800-1819 Share on X
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Posted in 1800s, 1800s Mens Fashions, Coat or Pelisse Or Redingote, Europe, fashion accessories, France, hats, Jane Austen, London, pants, Regency Era, Regency Fashion, shoes, Suit, Suzi Love Images, Vest or Waistcoat | Tagged 1800s men fashion, cravat, England, fashion accessories, Fashion Plate, France, gloves, Hats And Hair, Jane Austen, Journal des Dames et des Modes, pants, Regency Fashion, Shoes, Vest or Waistcoat

1806-1809 ca. One Pound Banknote As Used By Jane Austen. Issued in Hampshire, U.K. #RegencyEra #Money #JaneAusten #BritishHistory

Suzi Love Posted on January 8, 2025 by Suzi LoveJanuary 8, 2025

1806-1809 ca. Unissued One Pound Banknote. Issued in Alton, Hampshire, UK. The type of currency used by Jane Austen and her brother when dealing with the family’s finances. Issuer Alton Bank. Unissued banknote. (obverse) Emblem with initials, floral design and crown on top at left. Text at centre. Design printed in black. via British Museum.

A pound was a lot of money for the majority of people during the Regency, so the general population didn’t trust flimsy paper banknotes. A metal coin held its value in gold or silver, whereas paper banknotes were easily lost or damaged and very easy to forge. The original banknotes were merely a piece of paper that promised payment for a set amount and were issued by individual banks. The Bank of England used these notes from its inception in 1694 and regional banks continued issuing them until the changes to the Act in 1844. By the mid 1700s, notes started to become standardized, with ten and five pound notes appearing, but as they were all hand-lettered and signed they were viewed with skepticism. Most transactions were therefore done with metal coins, with many shopkeepers routinely biting down on a coin to ensure it was legitimate.

1806-1809 ca. Unissued One Pound Banknote. Issued in Alton, Hampshire, UK. Issuer Alton Bank. Unissued banknote. (obverse) Emblem with initials, floral design and crown on top at left. Text at centre. Design printed in black. via British Museum.
1806-1809 ca. Unissued One Pound Banknote. Issued in Alton, Hampshire, UK. Issuer Alton Bank. Unissued banknote. (obverse) Emblem with initials, floral design and crown on top at left. Text at centre. Design printed in black. via British Museum.
1806-1809 ca. One Pound Banknote As Used By Jane Austen. Issued in Hampshire, U.K. #RegencyEra #Money #JaneAusten #BritishHistory https://books2read.com/suziloveROver Share on X
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Posted in 1800s, England, History, household, Jane Austen, London, money, Regency Era, Suzi Love Images | Tagged British history, British Museum, England, Jane Austen, money, Suzi Love Images

Christmas: Saint Nicholas Visits On Christmas Eve #Christmas #holidays #Traditions #Customs

Suzi Love Posted on December 23, 2024 by Suzi LoveDecember 17, 2024

Saint Nicholas Visits On Christmas Eve

Saint Nicholas, Or Santa Claus 

The origin of Santa Claus begins in the 3rd or 4th century with Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, an area in present day Turkey. By all accounts St. Nicholas was a generous man, particularly devoted to children.Thousands of churches across Europe were dedicated to him and some time around the 12th century an official church holiday was created in his honor. The Feast of St. Nicholas was celebrated December 6 and the day was marked by gift-giving and charity.

After the Reformation, European followers of St. Nicholas dwindled, but the legend was kept alive in Holland where the Dutch spelling of his name Sint Nikolaas was eventually transformed to Sinterklaas, and then Santa Claus. After his death around 340 A.D., he was buried in Myra, but in 1087 Italian sailors purportedly stole his remains and removed them to Bari, Italy, greatly increasing St. Nicholas’ popularity throughout Europe. His kindness and reputation for generosity gave rise to claims he that he could perform miracles and devotion to him increased.  St. Nicholas became the patron saint of Russia, where he was known by his red cape, flowing white beard, and bishop’s mitre.

In Greece, he is the patron saint of sailors. In France, the patron of lawyers. In Belgium, the patron of children and travelers. Thousands of churches across Europe were dedicated to him and some time around the 12th century an official church holiday was created in his honor. The Feast of St. Nicholas was celebrated December 6 and the day was marked by gift-giving and charity.

After the Reformation, European followers of St. Nicholas dwindled, but the legend was kept alive in Holland where the Dutch spelling of his name Sint Nikolaas was eventually transformed to Sinterklaas, and then Santa Claus. Dutch children would leave their wooden shoes by the fireplace, and Sinterklaas would reward good children. hence Santa Claus bringing gifts to children who have been good.

A Visit from St. Nicholas By Clement Clark Moore

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hope that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads:

And mamma in her kerchief, and I in my cap,

Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap,—

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon, on the breast of the new-fallen snow,

Gave a lustre of midday to objects below;

When what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer,

With a little old driver, so lively and quick

I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,

And he whistled and shouted and called them by name;

“Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!

To the top of the porch, to the top of the wall!

Now, dash away, dash away, dash away all!”

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,

So, up to the house-top the coursers, they flew,

With a sleigh full of toys, —and Saint Nicholas, too.

And then in a twinkling I heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my head and was turning around,

Down the chimney Saint Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a pedlr just opening his pack.

His eyes how they twinkled! His dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry;

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard on his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.

He had a broad face and a little round belly

That shook, whe he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, —a right jolly old elf—

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself.

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle;

But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight:

“Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”

THE END

Christmas: Saint Nicholas Visits On Christmas Eve #Christmas #holidays #Traditions #Customs https://books2read.com/suziloveHOCP Share on X

Posted in Christmas, Customs & Manners, England, Europe, Suzi Love Images | Tagged British history, Christmas, Customs and Traditions, England, Germany Europe, Suzi Love Images

Christmas: Crackers And Their Fascinating History #Christmas #Customs #BritishHistory #Holidays

Suzi Love Posted on December 18, 2024 by Suzi LoveDecember 17, 2024

Christmas Crackers And Their Fascinating History

First made in 1850 by a London sweet maker called Tom Smith who decided it would a fun idea if his sweets and toys opened with a crack when their fancy wrappers were pulled in half. In early 1830, Tom Smith started work in a bakers and ornamental confectioners shop in London, selling sweets such as fondants, pralines and gum pastilles. He worked hard and took particular interest in the wedding cake ornaments and decorations, experimenting and creating new, more exciting and less crude designs in his spare time. Before long he was successful enough to leave and start up his own business in Goswell Road, Clerkenwell, East London. On a trip to Paris in 1840, he discovered the ‘bon bon’, a sugared almond wrapped in a twist of tissue paper.  He brought the ‘bon bon’ to London and they sold extremely well, but in January demand virtually ceased and once again he was reliant on sales of cake and table decorations and ornaments.

Anxious to stimulate sales, Tom placed a small love motto in the tissue paper and encouraged his regular customers to take supplies. Tom took a risk and concentrated on developing it further, while still running the wedding cake ornament and confectionery business. The majority of ‘bon bons’ were sold at Christmas so Tom thought up ways to capitalize on this short, but very profitable, season. It was the crackle of a log as he threw it on his fire that gave him the flash of inspiration which eventually led to the crackers we know today. A ‘ crackle’ added excitement to his novelty ‘bon bon’ so he experimented to find a compound which gave a satisfactory bang. He perfected his chemical explosion to create a ‘pop’ caused by friction when the wrapping was broken and the trade jumped at Tom Smith’s latest novelty.

He quickly refined his product by dropping the sweet and the ‘bon bon’ name, calling his new crackers Cosaques, but he kept the motto and added a surprise gift. Delighted at his overnight success, Tom took his cracker abroad but an Eastern manufacturer copied his idea and delivered crackers to Britain just before Christmas. So Tom designed 8 different kinds of cracker, working his staff day and night and distributing stocks in time for Christmas. He lived to see the new branch of his firm grow to swamp the original premises in Goswell Road and the company moved to Finsbury Square in the City of London where it remained until 1953. When he died he left the business to his three sons, Tom Henry and Walter. A few years later, a drinking fountain was erected in Finsbury Square by Walter Smith in memory of his mother, Mary, and to commemorate the life of the man who invented the great British Cracker.

His three sons developed the cracker designs, contents and mottoes. Walter Smith, the youngest son, introduced a topical note to the mottoes which had previously been love verses. Special writers were commissioned to compose snappy and relevant maxims with references to every important event or craze at the time from greyhounds to Jazz, Frothblowers to Tutankhamen, Persian Art to The Riviera. The original early Victorian mottoes were mainly love verses. Eventually these were replaced by more complicated puzzles and cartoons, and finally by the corny jokes and riddles which characterise our crackers today. 

Walter also introduced the paper hats, many of which were elaborate and made of best tissue and decorative paper on proper hatmakers stands and he toured the world to find new, relevant and unusual ideas for the surprise gifts, such as bracelets from Bohemia, tiny wooden barrels from America, and scarf pins from Saxony. Some were assembled in the factory, like the thousands of tiny pill boxes filled with rouge complete with powder puff.

A six foot cracker decorated Euston Station in London, and in 1927 a gentleman wrote to the Company enclosing a diamond engagement ring and 10 shilling note as payment for the ring to be put in a special cracker for his fiancee. Unfortunately he did not enclose an address and never contacted the Company again; the ring, letter and 10 shilling note are still in the safe today. In the early days, there was a large variety of specialist boxes, including Wedgwood Art Crackers from original designs by permission of Josiah Wedgwood and Sons, and designs such as Japanese Menagerie crackers containing the latest novelties from Japan, including animals, birds, reptiles and mottoes in Japanese.  

Crackers were created for the War Heroes, Charlie Chaplin, The Wireless, Motoring, The Coronation and even the Channel Tunnel in 1914.  Exclusive crackers were also made for members of the Royal Family and still are to this day. During the Second World War restrictions were placed on the production of cracker snaps.

The Ministry of Defence commissioned Tom Smith to fold and tie bundles of three to six snaps together with special string and regulation knots. These bundles were then used by soldiers in training as, when the string was pulled, they mimicked the noise of machine gun fire. After the war, vast quantities of these surplus cracker snaps were released back into the cracker trade. As the demand for crackers increased, Tom Smith merged with Caley Crackers in 1953 taking over their headquarters and factory in Norwich, East Anglia.

Tom Smith Group Limited currently hold a royal warrant from: HM QUEEN ELIZABETH II Ê 1906: Tom Smith were granted their first Royal Warrant by the then Prince of Wales which entitled them in 1909 to become members of the Royal Warrant Holders Association. 1910: In December, the reigning monarch, King George V granted Tom Smith his warrant as suppliers of Christmas Crackers. Tom Smith still holds the honour of producing special crackers each year for the Royal Household.

In the countries that now use them, a cracker is set next to each plate on the Christmas dinner table and a colourful party hat, a toy or gift and a festive joke falls out when the cracker is pulled in half with a loud bang! The party hats look like crowns, supposedly to symbolise the crowns worn by the Wise Men.

Another British company strongly associated with the cracker business was Batger and Co. Like Tom Smith, they sold a wide variety of crackers in highly decorated boxes and once again many were themed or in commemoration of a special event. Batger’s Gretna Green Crackers for the famous place for eloping lovers where couples in the Regency period ran off in a carriage to Scotland to be married at the blacksmiths forge at Gretna Green.

Crackers were an incredibly expensive luxury at the time costing from 14 shillings to 30 shillings a box. Others were Peerless Crackers and Mead and Field Crackers. Cabaret Girl from the Peerless series of Christmas crackers, from 1933, which promises that each cracker contains ‘both a juvenile costume and fancy hat or cap, amusing joke or riddle, a good snap.’

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Christmas: Crackers And Their Fascinating History #Christmas #Customs #BritishHistory #Holidays https://books2read.com/suziloveHOCP Share on X

Posted in 1800s, Australia, Canada, Christmas, Customs & Manners, Edwardian Era, England, Europe, History, household, London, Suzi Love Images, U.S.A, Victorian Era | Tagged British history, Christmas, Customs and Traditions, England, europe, household, Suzi Love Images

Christmas Greetings Around The World #Christmas #holidays #Traditions #Customs

Suzi Love Posted on December 16, 2024 by Suzi LoveDecember 16, 2024

Christmas Greetings Internationally.

  • Merry Christmas  – English
  • Joyeux Noël    –    French
  •  Meri Kurisumasu     –    Japanese
  •  Nollaig Shona Dhuit    –    Irish – Gaelic
  •  Meri Kirihimete        –     New Zealand (Maori)
  • Manuia Le Kerisimasi     –     Samoan
  •  Blithe Yule    –     Scottish
  •  Finnish –  Hyvää joulua
  • Greek  – Καλά Χριστούγεννα (Καλά Χριστούγεννα)
  •  Italian – Buon Natale
  •  Spanish. –  Feliz Navidad
  •  Turkish  – Mutlu Noeller
  • Vietnamese. –  Giáng Sinh vui vẻ
  •  German – Frohe Weihnachten

Christmas Greetings Around The World #Christmas #holidays #Traditions #Customs books2read.com/suziloveHOCP Share on X
Posted in 1700s, 1800s, 1900s, Australia, Canada, Christmas, England, Europe, History Of Christmases Past, South Pacific, Suzi Love Images, U.S.A | Tagged Christmas, England, europe, France, Germany, History Of Christmases Past, Regency Era | Leave a reply

Christmas: Mince Pies #Christmas #holidays #Food #Traditions #Customs

Suzi Love Posted on December 13, 2024 by Suzi LoveDecember 12, 2024

Christmas Mince Pies.   

‘The following is a valued receipt that has been handed down in a Cornish family for many generations,
and the hand-writing of the receipt book will vouch for its antiquity.
‘A pound of beef-suet chopped fine;
a pound of raisins do. stoned.
A pound of currants cleaned dry.
A pound of apples chopped fine.
Two or three eggs.
Allspice beat very fine, and sugar to your taste.
A little salt, and as much brandy and wine as you like.
An ancient Cornish custom at Christmas.”
A small piece of citron in each pie is an improvement.’
From: 1833 Christmas Carols, Ancient and Modern by William Sandys.

Mince meat pies, or Christmas or Twelfth Night pies, were always part of Christmas feasts. Originally the mince pies were oblong or oval but in the 1600’s, the pies became circular, although were quite large and could weigh up to 20 lbs. In London, they could be brought out on Lord Mayor’s Day which was the 9th of November.

Xmas_food_MincePies_Originally filled with offal or meat such as bullock_s tongue cooked with spices, orange peel, and wine. Modern Christmas Pies are filled with dried fruit_Sml
Xmas_food_MincePies_Originally filled with offal or meat such as bullock_s tongue cooked with spices, orange peel, and wine. Modern Christmas Pies are filled with dried fruit_Sml

Timeline of Mince Pies via Minced Pie Club.

  • In the 13th century, crusaders returned from the Middle Eastern with recipes containing meat, fruit and spices mixed together, which helped preserve meat without having to smoke, dry or salt.
  • 1413 King Henry served a mincemeat pie at his coronation.
  • 1588 Good Hous-Wiues Treasurie by Edward Allde: meats were still cut up to be eaten with a spoon and combined with fruits and heavy spices. His recipe for Minst Pye had practically the same ingredients as modern mince pies.
  • 1657 Mince Pies were banned during the reign of Oliver Cromwell, along with other Christian traditions that were classed as gluttony.
  • 1659 Oliver Cromwell’s Puritan influence spread to the American British Colonies and many towns banned mincemeat pies at Christmas time.
  • When pies were reintroduced in Britain, they were a lot smaller and could be served individually to guests and were named Wayfarer pies.
  • 1832 Bill of Fare: no less than one hundred and eleven dishes of mince pies included.
  • More Minced Pie Trivia
  • When the monarchy was restored in 1660, the law regarding Minced Pies was disregarded but apparently never repealed so Mince pies are still, supposedly, illegal.
  • Pastry crusts sink in the middle and are thought to resemble Jesus’ manger so sometimes a small pastry doll was put in the middle and these were called crib pies.
  • Pies could last up to two months in cold weather.
  • Recipes varied by region, but usually included beef, poultry and other meats, suet, sugar, raisins or currants, spices, orange and lemon peel, eggs, apples and brandy.
  • Minced-meat was only supposed to be stirred clockwise, otherwise the stirrer would have bad luck in the coming year. bring bad luck for the coming year.
  • Filling included cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg to represent the gifts of the Magi to the infant Jesus and the star shaped pastry on top represents the star of Bethlehem.
  • If you ate minced pie every day of the twelve days of Christmas you were supposed to have twelve months of happiness, especially if the pies were baked by the dozen and offered by friends.
Christmas: Mince Pies #Christmas #holidays #Food #Traditions #Customs https://books2read.com/suziloveHOCP Share on X
Posted in 1700s, 1800s, 1900s, Christmas, Customs & Manners, Edwardian Era, England, Europe, Food and Drink, Georgian Era, History Of Christmases Past, household, Regency Era, Romantic Era, Suzi Love Books, Victorian Era | Tagged British history, Christmas, Customs and Traditions, England, europe, Food, History Of Christmases Past

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