tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18081349500220335792024-03-13T23:31:25.527+00:00Francine Howarth . . . Romancing History.Francine Howarthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02326542867876257042noreply@blogger.comBlogger100125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808134950022033579.post-55479149128308669232020-10-30T10:55:00.003+00:002020-10-30T10:55:41.289+00:00Piracy & Plunder<p> <span style="font-size: large; text-align: center;">17th century piracy and plunder! (from my own article archives)</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghJ3gixSmV6fv4cMjmLwvn5bgE31hnTokMHDVJ-UVFWbZSM90s94ewojZCjuDLcwf8WANoRMCu0biM5V5szTWRPlm9Jl1skuYUQ-ujz_w3_TbP6zBeA1D59Te92ar-wXCSoY-HAQ_qJKgy/s1280/storm2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghJ3gixSmV6fv4cMjmLwvn5bgE31hnTokMHDVJ-UVFWbZSM90s94ewojZCjuDLcwf8WANoRMCu0biM5V5szTWRPlm9Jl1skuYUQ-ujz_w3_TbP6zBeA1D59Te92ar-wXCSoY-HAQ_qJKgy/s320/storm2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The above words, alone, convey the atmosphere of tall ships fully-rigged, canting to the wind, their gunwales kissing the water. It’s all too easy to envisage one vessel given to the chase, the other in flight. Let’s not forget the white skull and crossed bones emblazoned upon a black flag, the very quintessence of a pirate ship one sees at the movies.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4SsLicGHs73KtRj3qSFIcQwm27paueSabRPOwaBkXfOWBAo89wpNzg3exfR0jM0bNAr2GoLm7hclH9Rc8kVOPSjirNTbXE6VnovokeMTzBXVUznVAlsgP7YO6kVUvCfVNpIyxxxN3UUvQ/s533/Pirate.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="360" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4SsLicGHs73KtRj3qSFIcQwm27paueSabRPOwaBkXfOWBAo89wpNzg3exfR0jM0bNAr2GoLm7hclH9Rc8kVOPSjirNTbXE6VnovokeMTzBXVUznVAlsgP7YO6kVUvCfVNpIyxxxN3UUvQ/s320/Pirate.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When you stop to think, truly think in terms of strategy and the ultimate goal of a buccaneer-cum-pirate captain, it stands to reason that if a pirate ship weaves back and forth across a trading route, it will, eventually, encounter a ship or two, and maybe the captain and crew will strike lucky on worthwhile booty. Ha, all sounds a bit hit ‘n’ miss, though, does it not? And yet, small fleets of pirate ships plying plotted courses often caused mayhem on the Spanish Main. But who were the original buccaneers? The name itself is a loose term applied to pirates in general, and authors across the centuries have attributed the title to almost any man who sailed the seas and plundered ships, ports, and ran the gauntlet in the face of Navy vessels hunting them down.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The original buccaneers (boucaniers) were the native inhabitants of the West Indies, who, over the centuries had discovered they could preserve meat by roasting it on a barbecue and curing it with smoke. The barbecue consisted of a fire pit and grating (a buccan), the meat thus referred to as boucan. Over time, escaped slaves, criminals and indentured servants formed clans of likeminded souls who were hell-bent not only on survival but revenge on past masters. The Caribbean & Bahamas became their base, from which they gained prominence any-which-way they could. Robbery, murder and mayhem on a quayside brought forth fortune with stolen ships and wares, and once they had set sail they sought their own havens amidst the scattered islands. And so the buccaneer had come of age.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">On the other hand, the privateer, was indeed a very different kind of pirate, and in some respects, the name pirate was insulting to his self-esteem. He was a man who owned, or had loan of a heavily armed ship, itself manned by officers who were equally commissioned by governments and by kings and queens for war service. Whether as a reader or movie buff - have you ever thought how much plotting, planning, intrigue and spying truly occurred within the world of the privateer? Hence, some pirates and privateers were more successful than others.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In getting away from the extremely famous Elizabethan privateers/buccaneers (Sir Francis Drake et al) and the later notorious 18th century pirates (Blackbeard etc), I’ve always been a little intrigued by the likes of those who were plying the oceans throughout the period of the English Civil Wars and the early years of The Restoration: this being my favoured period in history.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">To name but one - of wealthy lineage - Henry Morgan (Sir), one might assume the knighthood bestowed by Charles II was Sir Henry Morgan’s only claim to sense of wealth and status. After all, he was but a privateer: a pirate! Well, yes, that’s true, but he came from a distinguished family known as the Tredegar Morgans’. It is said the Morgans’ were more of a clan and had cadet branches all over South Wales.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb8f60f4E6CkiP2yZeZcgWW0xBIlapdsHqKDFuJqjYJxbJviOl5FNCCG3FfWqRgaUA0f4RYk13LcoZWzNJFdJDkNI0QfWu5INu_hUhKjTqLX0kbVdTlXeKSyTq1XIq4HhqhVMdkgaOouuW/s267/henrymorgan.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="267" data-original-width="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb8f60f4E6CkiP2yZeZcgWW0xBIlapdsHqKDFuJqjYJxbJviOl5FNCCG3FfWqRgaUA0f4RYk13LcoZWzNJFdJDkNI0QfWu5INu_hUhKjTqLX0kbVdTlXeKSyTq1XIq4HhqhVMdkgaOouuW/s0/henrymorgan.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large; text-align: justify;">Now, is that not a handsome young man of his day?</span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Indeed, methinks Henry Morgan cut a dash with the best of his ilk. So, let’s start at the beginning with a bit of the Tredegar Morgans’ history. There were once three brothers, Thomas, Robert and Edward: the family thus torn apart by the English Civil Wars.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3r5m_FMIZdi6u4cxJ1OsAznWPzeBW9aD0SY8l7WWMHe6S3y09VT6AwvWavJU69bMrwvmHpx3kJaZPvlNuIVb2zwcg2rQxd1ANtYAvn88jSFCcv7gkb0_WoJzHL0iuO2R-RdqQHDR8uxjD/s230/Kinnersely.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3r5m_FMIZdi6u4cxJ1OsAznWPzeBW9aD0SY8l7WWMHe6S3y09VT6AwvWavJU69bMrwvmHpx3kJaZPvlNuIVb2zwcg2rQxd1ANtYAvn88jSFCcv7gkb0_WoJzHL0iuO2R-RdqQHDR8uxjD/s0/Kinnersely.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Kinnersley</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Henry Morgan’s Uncle Thomas, became Major-General Sir Thomas Morgan, 1st Baronet (1604–79). He served as a Commonwealth/Parliamentarian officer English Civil War (1642-49). He was appointed Governor of Gloucester in 1645. He fought in the Low Countries, and when wounded 1661 he retired to his estate at Kynnersley, Hertfordshire. He was also instrumental in the restoration of Charles II. In 1665 he was recalled by Charles II to become Governor of Jersey, he died at St Helier in April 1679.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdl7FLdUEFGKUA3Xyt7RE8o7Agit28xa9PIx70vxBDCN_koMUWJuy2V6E6AltbnSVmue1LdaOxEfKOFe-kJvEuRLLCPBkxyzRBoXyddvaJTufeG97bZCHJh9EEikR1a0oUfSvnn5iusltO/s150/oldcourt.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="117" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdl7FLdUEFGKUA3Xyt7RE8o7Agit28xa9PIx70vxBDCN_koMUWJuy2V6E6AltbnSVmue1LdaOxEfKOFe-kJvEuRLLCPBkxyzRBoXyddvaJTufeG97bZCHJh9EEikR1a0oUfSvnn5iusltO/s0/oldcourt.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">Old Court</span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Henry Morgan’s father, Robert, (born circa 1615) was the Squire of Llanrhymny, (now Rhymney) which lies three miles from Tredegar. Someone had to run the family firm! Or maybe being the piggy-in-the-middle brother, Robert Morgan couldn’t decide which side of the divide was for him and instead sat on the fence.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Henry Morgan’s Uncle Edward, became Colonel Edward Morgan (born circa 1616) Edward served as a Royalist officer during the English Civil Wars (1642-49). He was Captain General of the Kings forces in South Wales. After the King's arrest and execution, he fled into exile along with Charles II and the royal court.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUG67Fh0pTniCnxFAtJJi7fz-cQPn0KbCKOLV9E3YS2xwuytDGPoLe6w-mvImL9Uv7B3judn9qcS7d5-yultz86jNynVPK6dnpUTkcUPUuEJF8hVhoiIsJ9pcK4uXDvoldppBL0oa_XZ9C/s363/tred1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUG67Fh0pTniCnxFAtJJi7fz-cQPn0KbCKOLV9E3YS2xwuytDGPoLe6w-mvImL9Uv7B3judn9qcS7d5-yultz86jNynVPK6dnpUTkcUPUuEJF8hVhoiIsJ9pcK4uXDvoldppBL0oa_XZ9C/s320/tred1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">Tredegar House</span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Many families were torn asunder by the English Civil Wars, sometimes father, sons and brothers were on opposing sides. Henry Morgan was born around 1635, thus by 1650 he was 15 yrs old. His virgin voyage was to Barbados in 1655 as a junior officer of an expeditionary force sent there by Oliver Cromwell. But when did Henry first enlist with the Parliamentarian forces, and was he influenced to do so by his Uncle Thomas, or was he a Royalist spy under the influence of his Uncle Edward (Cavalier)? Well, it seems he enlisted as a Pikeman. He once said in the writings of an official report when serving as privateer under marque from Cromwell and later Charles II: “I have been more used to the pike than the book".</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Whatever his ultimate aim, at the time of his enlistment and exploits at sea, he learned fast from his masters, the likes of Venables (General) and Christopher Mings (Commodore). Morgan was a soldier first before becoming a master of the seas. As time passed Morgan found his feet as a captain and was clearly a strategist. Spies became key to successful missions, and let’s be honest Cromwell’s spy network bettered that of the Elizabethan spy network, hence Thurloe (Cromwell’s spymaster) always seemed as though one step ahead of Royalist thinking.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And so it was, after the taking of Jamaica and many other less noted ventures, along with a flotilla of privateers, Santiago (Cuba) was plundered. Morgan also commanded a vessel in the attack on the Mexican coast 1663: their target Campache. In the raid 1100 men who were described as privateers, buccaneers and volunteers sailed more than 1000 miles. Campache was a town defended by two forts and a regular garrison of Spanish troops. The town fell after a day of fighting and fourteen Spanish ships were sailed away from the port.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCoMUyTkWQDQpAiBbA48CjDOvxoRq4kYSh9gloCF63uofEUtfkAqsexGMSV-w3k-57IgXtdFJGBSYu0yo6uKxmpunVSiVv0uFhmGYGDnxTGB_mDSFb8a7mS70Nbt59G0ig1jZd3-HYaWKw/s790/tropical-beach-wall-mural.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="542" data-original-width="790" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCoMUyTkWQDQpAiBbA48CjDOvxoRq4kYSh9gloCF63uofEUtfkAqsexGMSV-w3k-57IgXtdFJGBSYu0yo6uKxmpunVSiVv0uFhmGYGDnxTGB_mDSFb8a7mS70Nbt59G0ig1jZd3-HYaWKw/s320/tropical-beach-wall-mural.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Henry had his failures, too, embarrassing ones, and his life did indeed seem charmed whilst ashore and threatened when at sea. He often turned disaster into triumph, and being a soldier first over that of his role as a sea captain, he once yomped men 50 miles across land to sack a town, only to return to his ships to discover the Spanish had captured them. Undaunted, he captured two Spanish ships and four coastal canoes and continued on his epic voyage of 500 miles of exploration and plunder. He had one ship blown from beneath him by crewmen who either lit candles or were smoking too close to the gunpowder store, and another ship he lost on a reef.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The above is a scant example of Morgan’s daring adventures. After the sacking of Panama he was recalled to England to account for his actions, re a peace time atrocity. Fortunately, for Henry, Charles II slapped him on the shoulder with a sword and Henry walked away as Sir Henry Morgan.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And of course, ending on a romantic note: after the restoration of the monarchy in 1660, Henry's uncle Edward was sent to Jamaica as lieutenant governor. By then, already famous in Jamaica, Henry courted and married his uncle's oldest surviving daughter, Mary Elizabeth. Henry remained faithful to his wife until his death in 1688. They never had children.</span></p><div><br /></div>Francine Howarthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02326542867876257042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808134950022033579.post-41846318475808470902020-07-02T17:03:00.000+01:002020-07-02T17:06:26.341+01:00English County Law & Order 17th -18th- early 19th centuries. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Before the introduction of Robert Peel's Peelers in the City of London </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">1829</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">, many parts of the countryside in England and within the City of London and other notable cities were hives of lawlessness barring when a local Constable was keen on Law & Order. In modern terminology, if a Constable in the countryside rocked up on your doorstep he had good cause, and if you were a poacher, God help you when you went up before the Magistrates bench. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">County and large Market towns boasted a Constable and several officers of the court. The Constable had the power of arrest, to charge immediate fines, impound goods or animals and impose restr</span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">ictions, imprison offenders, investigate crimes such as poaching, rustling, rape etc, and then set offenders before the local Justice of the Peace (Magistrate) usually a local squire/lesser aristocrat (baron) at the Quarter Sessions held four times a year. A Constable often called on local county militia to assist in cases of smuggling, riots, and other where armed soldiers were required to keep the peace.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">For centuries, Justice of the Peace also had local administrative responsibilities, upkeep of roads and bridges etc. Those appointed to the Courts Commission were usually substantial land owners whose social position and economic power meant their authority would not be questioned. Also as landowners, the JPs had the reputation of being particularly tough on poachers. Usually JPs’ study of the law was rudimentary. 'Stipendiary magistrates' were introduced in the mid-eighteenth century in London. They were legally qualified, either as barristers or solicitors.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">When it came to murder, highway robbery, and other more serious criminal acts outside of London, the offenders were kept in custody until the local “Assizes” were held within a “county town” and attended by “Circuit Court Judges”. CCJs were men trained in the law (lawyers), thus circuit court judges could preside over legal matters brought to court in any location. CCJs travelled from London or other large cities such as Bristol, second most important city port in the 17th -18th centuries. Sentences were often harsh, hanging, transportation to the colonies as bond slaves, etc.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">In trial cases where lawyers were not present, judges also played a major role in conducting trials. They examined witnesses and the accused. Their summing up of the case often clearly stated their views on what the potential outcome should be. Sometimes judges would also place pressure on the jury, asking them how a verdict had been reached or asking them to reconsider it. A Jury consisted of 12 persons with no former criminal past.</span></div>
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<b style="background-color: #f2f3f5; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">County Court – Royal or Parliamentary Assizes.</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #1c1e21;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">In cases of Rebellion against the Crown (Treason & High Treason, County Assizes were unpleasant events: hanging, drawing, and quartering, and worse. Look up Judge Jeffreys and the Monmouth Rebellion. I cover that in my book s “Love & Rebellion” and “Lady of the Tower- Monmouth’s Legacy.”</span></span></div>
Francine Howarthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02326542867876257042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808134950022033579.post-63909791601038366062020-04-16T12:58:00.001+01:002021-03-26T12:06:13.283+00:00Why should Historical Romance be less educational than Historical Novels? <br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">For some die-hard romance readers historical input is irrelevant in their little book of reference as to what constitutes a romance novel, the more fancifully romantic the better as far as they are concerned. Other more historically minded readers expect some historical relevance as the backdrop, in other words history adds to the setting, the time, the place in which the romance unfolds. What is a grand house or merely London, Paris, or other (landmark) without some aspect of the period as a true mark of who the characters are and what is going on around them. Some authors and readers will say yes but who wants to read about war, and poverty, give us a fairy tale romance and no historical facts please. They often put forth Jane Austen's works as fanciful and how romance should be written with no violence, no sex, and history itself has no part in HR. But just one moment, Ms Austen was writing "contemporary" to her time, escapist romance. She was not writing historical romances, because everyone reading her novels in her lifetime and shortly afterwards were well acquainted with the period and daily experienced the shortages of imported goods, not that I will venture to that in depth here (tea coffee, brandy, wine, cloth etc). After all, war was raging across the channel in Europe, and England was at war with America 1812. Aside from that, all manner of things became costly, were in short supply, and all due to war! Even after Waterloo and the final defeat of Napoleon it took a great deal of effort to maintain peace across and between nations. Nothing was quite as it seemed - all rosy on the surface! Hence a little of underlying mistrust between the once allies at Waterloo began to emerge, and here's a taste of that underlying unrest from To Play for a King, in which the heroine ventures to Vienna! </span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2.85pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“And if I say I have been a spy,
and that my largesse as a maestro has been that of a convenient mask, would
that heighten or lessen my esteem in your eyes?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Quite taken aback and mindful of
the enormity of what he had said, required sage thought.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2.85pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“Aaaaaaaaaaah” exclaimed he. “I
thought it would be safe to tell you my secret, and now you are wondering who I
spied for and for what reason.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2.85pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“No, not especially curious, and I
promise your secret is safe with me. Presumably your interest has and does
remain with Austria. Although Austria allied with England and other armies against
the French there have been differences and breaches in diplomacy at times. I
believe several treaties between Napoleon and Austria within Italy infringed allied
agreements, as father mentioned from time to time, thus Napoleon reneged on
those treaties and drove you out of Italy. But please understand— all those
things are irrelevant to me, for we are all now at peace.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2.85pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">He swung round to face her and
gripped both her hands in his. “That is how it is meant to appear on the
surface, that we are all allies, whilst beneath the diplomatic smiles and
greetings no one fully trusts the other. Every country has its ambitions one
way and another, as happened in who should decide the fate of France after the
second defeat of Napoleon. Much argument arose as to what was best for
neighbouring states and became of prime importance. Argument as to whether to
reinstate the French monarchy or embrace the notion of France as a republic
also arose. Austria’s main desire was to see the throne reinstated in France,
and to regain Lombardy, Veneto, and surrounding regions in Italy. That very
notion was met with disdain amidst the Italian aristocracy, to them rightly so.
Many who survived the wars had prior despised us as Austrian overlords, almost
as much as despising Napoleon when he declared himself King of Italy and his
viceroy, his step-son Eugène de Beauharnais became as good as Prince of Italy.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2.85pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“But Austria regained the most
northern territories, and are you saying there is threat of war simmering below
the surface somewhere?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">We aristocrats in Austria now have
to contend with Prussian German ambitions since General Blücher’s victory at
Waterloo alongside the Duke of Wellington, all with our help of course. Never
let it be said Prussians are magnanimous in victory, for they are annoyed by
Austrian influence across the Continent in the aftermath of Napoleon’s defeat.
The Dutch too, and many principalities and duchies are aware of active Prussian
agents, not least here in Vienna, but from Venice to Rome and to Naples, and from
France to England.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“Beg pardon for asking, but why?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2.85pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“Empirical ambitions are underway
to create a deeper alliance of which lesser Prussian houses will become equal
to greater Germanic speaking duchies and neighbouring principalities. Naturally
we Austrians are averse to other than close alliance during war against a
greater enemy such as the French, whom we fought long before the allied Prussian
army marched on France. For us Vienna is the nucleus of the Austrian Empire and
the duchies of Königsberg nor Brandenburg, shall dictate terms. Damn it all,
the French be-headed our grand duchess Marie Antoinette, therefore we had a
greater axe to grind against that upstart Corsican General Bonaparte and his
French cohorts than any other neighbouring state.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">He drew her hands to his chest
and half chuckled: “See how angered I become when others seek to undermine us
when we Austrians have regained sense of pride in peace and stability once
more. Heavens to mercy, for here you are, a delightful and wondrous being, and
I am spoiling your birthday.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“Oh no, for all that you have put
forth bears merit, and I am so very pleased you felt able to trust me and
confide elements of your past and present. All of which I would never have
envisaged a maestro capable of. Though I can now see how music is the perfect
guise for a spy. Besides, I’ve had a wonderful birthday, but may I ask one
topical question?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">A jolly chuckle ensued, and then:
“Ah— will I be able to answer with absolute honesty?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“Do you fear the Prince Regent
seeks to usurp Austrian dominance in the Germanic speaking duchies and
principalities? I had heard father talk of such and he was given to thoughts of
a Germanic Federation not unlike the United Kingdom of Scotland and England
along with the Principality of Wales. He said Austria would like as not fight
tooth and nail to prevent such a federation if of a mind to.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“It is not beyond possibility for
allies one day to become enemies the next, and whilst many Austrians trust
Count Metternich to see right by Austria, there are those who look on him as a
collaborator to a greater alliance in which he mistakenly concedes more ground
than is good for us. We of the old families do not want a Federation of Germanic
states which could lessen Austrian influence, and enhance outside influence
over Austrian territories?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“Oh my goodness— and you say
Austria is at peace?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“For the moment, yes, and perhaps
for many years to come with diplomacy and cunning, though I sense a weakening
of Austrian aristocratic impulse to do more than enjoy life and leave politics
to ministers of state who are ambitious in their own right, as are their
minions. That is oft where revolutionary mindsets begin seeding discontent, and
latterly seek ways to seize power from the upper elite with help from
traitorous factions. It happened in England when Parliamentary forces seized
power from the king. It happened in France, and it could happen almost
anywhere, thus we must guard against corrupt mindsets who will seek support
from citizens with false promises of equality. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dear heaven, what starts as a peasant revolt
can end with an emperor such as Napoleon, a common man who places a crown to
his head and embraces all that he supposedly abhorred at the outset. Aside from
which the English king and his regent are of the House of Hanover and keen to
expand their Germanic reach far and wide, not least here on the Continent.
Never underestimate the English, who will embrace revolution abroad if it is of
benefit to the English. Austrians are of like mind and will not cede to another
without a fight, whether in war or by diplomatic measures.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2.85pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“Are you then spying against the
English? After all, I am English and such would be unsettling for me.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2.85pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“Precisely my angel, you are
English, the Hanovarians are not.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2.85pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“Oh but the Prince Regent is as
English as could be, and are you not a friend of his?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2.85pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“Indeed I am, and as I said, a
friend one day can become an arch rival the next. The Prince Regent is far from
blind to ministerial mischief though it seems he is easily persuaded with
extremes in flattery. It is known he complies with notions when formerly averse
to the very same, barring a sentence or two altered within papers. He peruses
them with flair though with lack of due diligence and applies his signature in
haste to vacate his duties and engage in pleasurable pursuits elsewhere.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2.85pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“Lady Constance once said his
vanity masks a shrewd man beneath the finery, but feed the man well and ply him
with cherry brandy and he will agree to almost anything one desires.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Sebastian fell to laughter. “Ah
yes, that is very true of the man. Though once crossed he will cut a person out
of his circle and look upon them as a traitor, as he did with Brummell. I
hasten to say— I pray he and I will remain friends.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Francine Howarthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02326542867876257042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808134950022033579.post-11431381192280115842020-04-04T21:23:00.004+01:002021-03-01T18:50:26.085+00:00New Series - Bath Tangle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNCGvgVwYW5In1YRURAOu-gVCExcdLiHtZtYyD_7QQkHZeAO9aacx44fQK2wPKI2bUd4QqUQ8339SPWXR2WLtV3pmdA_GC8pef7EXRXZD2No6El_2zRjAym2LBdO6GRk2GTXSy2Fad9moN/s1600/0590%252520Gt%252520Pulteney%252520St%252520%2526%252520Laura%252520Place.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="704" data-original-width="976" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNCGvgVwYW5In1YRURAOu-gVCExcdLiHtZtYyD_7QQkHZeAO9aacx44fQK2wPKI2bUd4QqUQ8339SPWXR2WLtV3pmdA_GC8pef7EXRXZD2No6El_2zRjAym2LBdO6GRk2GTXSy2Fad9moN/s320/0590%252520Gt%252520Pulteney%252520St%252520%2526%252520Laura%252520Place.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">How in the deuce did one book inspire a second, and the second inspire a series?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I'll tell you why- books are like an Aladdin's Cave, one antique gold chain, a sparkling diamond ring, and who wore it sets the mind alive with possibilities, probabilities, and surety of Love and Romance, and Ghosts, yes Ghosts. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Francine-Howarth/e/B0059FDF0I">Amazon US</a> <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Francine-Howarth/e/B0059FDF0I">Amazon UK</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My new series the "Bath Tangle Series" for the greater part is set within and around the City of Bath. In the first book (the prequel) two leading characters venture to France during the time of the French Revolution, and all is not well at Versailles. The leading characters in book one are: </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: justify;">At this time women wore lavish gowns and often powdered their hair as did the men folk who chose not to wear wigs but nonetheless wore high-heeled shoes/boots: the very height of fashion for the male wardrobe during the early Georgian period. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Highwayman's Mistress was written years ago as one-off. But, in book two, the sons of the original characters have returned from Waterloo and Bath is not entirely where Mattijs de Boviere's romance had started, and for Randolph Courtenay, Viscount Somerton. it is the beginning: a peek into what lies ahead for him if he can convince a young lady he is a gentleman officer and not a dastardly rake in disguise. The daughters likewise are all entering into the marriage mart. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thus The Runaway Duchess is Mattijs and Juliana's love story: Book 1.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjoIVJuMiB_m9ow4f8EZWNJcI47BlXQmBWKSlwwxDb2zXUUoA7BUxKI_O_XNd450dZ1dnrBb17eTFiOzyGQK1g5d5Gn7P_H5s9gGnDAmA-DCUGgdZZ4FEIhwHlXzDiAvp2Fu4r1zpfIkzu/s1600/RunawayDlast.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjoIVJuMiB_m9ow4f8EZWNJcI47BlXQmBWKSlwwxDb2zXUUoA7BUxKI_O_XNd450dZ1dnrBb17eTFiOzyGQK1g5d5Gn7P_H5s9gGnDAmA-DCUGgdZZ4FEIhwHlXzDiAvp2Fu4r1zpfIkzu/s320/RunawayDlast.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hence, a generation farther on than the Whitaker sisters and the men they fell in love with, it is 1817 and the Courtenay and de Boviere children begin melding with others as betrothals are sworn, upsets arise, and much else plays havoc with romantic notions. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In book 2 it is Chloe de Boviere's story, and as did her cousin Randolph, she encountered her future destiny when least expected, and whilst on a ghost hunt!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKtzBQJUbV8oGskFCxDyMRfARCp7t5kTB3AG6vLfpeZIBD1vHYRYSTWBDtplTRm0cDuIvqsqhx4PsCsU0N3nlaiNbhEdOnQ9G5LPvrFkwrutBfM9Mwfhc_UUb3eGFHaTI0T1_trTBz5GgP/s1600/ChloeBrock.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="478" data-original-width="558" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKtzBQJUbV8oGskFCxDyMRfARCp7t5kTB3AG6vLfpeZIBD1vHYRYSTWBDtplTRm0cDuIvqsqhx4PsCsU0N3nlaiNbhEdOnQ9G5LPvrFkwrutBfM9Mwfhc_UUb3eGFHaTI0T1_trTBz5GgP/s320/ChloeBrock.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In Book 3 it is the middle Courtenay sister who takes centre stage, and Lady Octavia is a young woman who, when she sets her eyes on a young man will apply every means at hand and feminine guile to steal him away from those she surmises as competition for his favour. But Major Harry Davenport understands her motives too well, and he sets her the greatest challenge of her young life! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For someone who courts male admiration Octavia learns a hard lesson when Harry sets demarcation lines she must not cross! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWq8R7XnRkOizwRUQ_0KhqY10EI_N-MsC1sY8VaSlbMaVS9mX_PCCsIv2NIfad6fel5ZPvuntMc4etnSwKyrRKS4kPJQ1OxU1HeOzrqycag8i9stVSndV-Ejg_xBPJXDW2T86qHnmAJRdm/s1600/MharryD.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="361" data-original-width="311" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWq8R7XnRkOizwRUQ_0KhqY10EI_N-MsC1sY8VaSlbMaVS9mX_PCCsIv2NIfad6fel5ZPvuntMc4etnSwKyrRKS4kPJQ1OxU1HeOzrqycag8i9stVSndV-Ejg_xBPJXDW2T86qHnmAJRdm/s320/MharryD.jpg" width="275" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In book 4 it is the eldest Courtenay sister Lady April, who, in a brief encounter is smitten by a naval lieutenant. Little does she know he's smitten too and will do everything in his power to become acquainted and court her if given the chance. Unfortunately he's a Courtenay too, a distant cousin, one her mother thoroughly disapproves, thus the pair resort to clandestine meetings. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; text-align: center;">In book 5 Randolph Courtenay truly sets out to win Rachel Davenport. As did his sister April, he resorts to clandestine meetings at the outset, and daringly risks the wrath of his lady love's four brothers. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large; text-align: center;">If ever the Davenport four should catch him on the family estate and find him given to pleasurable pursuits there is no telling what they would do to him. But Randolph Viscount Somerton knows what he wants and will get it one way or another, and moves heaven and earth to achieve it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And there is a bonus and unexpected romance within this novel,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">that of Jasper (youngest Davenport brother) and the wickedly naughty Mary Chambers - the oracle all things man's sexual bent!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In book 6 the youngest Courtenay sister Lady May, is a talented pianist, and although a little taken with an Austrian Maestro who arranges recitals and concerts for kings, princes, and grand dukes, never did she dream she would one day be gracing grand chateaux, </span><span style="font-size: large;">fairy tale castles, and all the glories of Venice. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Although her dreams have often revolved around Count Sebastian Waldburg, never did she think he looked on her as more than his young protege </span><span style="font-size: large;">u</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;">ntil the day he kisses her, the day of her awakening to womanhood. </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In Book 7 Margarite de Boviere has given her time as companion to her cousin Lady May Courtenay. On her final return to England she faces the reality many chances for love and romance had come and gone whilst travelling on the Continent, She thus settles to family visitations and quite unexpectedly encounters a young man she neither knows, nor feels it appropriate to approach him but something about him appeals. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Meanwhile the extremely young duke of Weare has noted Margarite and is quite taken with her, but his past youth has damned him and although he is a much changed young man the past haunts him. His greatest fear remains, the devil that once plagued him will destroy any hope of happiness with a young woman, more especially one as lovely as Margarite. Can he be all that he ought to be, an admirable suitor?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Clarence first appeared in the book "An Earl in Disguise" where he learned something about himself that stunned him and self destruct came easy to a young man who had lost his way. If not for another's compassion and forgiveness he may never have sought the healing required to turn his life around. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3CrjlahVFZNtzBuujz4pjI5on9JhTDfOZs46ISx23quFqklz7RZEM_vSebgcdbUb0e8mRbrPOM5WRkLbdenBXC3z1Q2axp5jpxjRjWQcYN21IuDvRVPbShGOQPQuhPECp-_ikK-rvnAjN/s1600/filigold2.jpg" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="37" data-original-width="340" height="34" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3CrjlahVFZNtzBuujz4pjI5on9JhTDfOZs46ISx23quFqklz7RZEM_vSebgcdbUb0e8mRbrPOM5WRkLbdenBXC3z1Q2axp5jpxjRjWQcYN21IuDvRVPbShGOQPQuhPECp-_ikK-rvnAjN/s320/filigold2.jpg" width="320" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Of course there is the second eldest Davenport brother too, who with his wife Rose, first appeared in two novels Infamous Rival and The Dark Marquis. (The Bath Series) a murder mystery series. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcSslCOYGAIWu5KJADly9q0srat346SgREqKkk1p8q0I6yYUk5jiV7SlG-PEfDWecQCBdRupP1hn94AadyWgP_MZmjNpbkX8ciKoUlfgFzJrPyExQhyphenhyphenmDiNsOZZ1wQ70Ms3YAlrAWcv1QC/s1600/Freddie.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="416" data-original-width="364" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcSslCOYGAIWu5KJADly9q0srat346SgREqKkk1p8q0I6yYUk5jiV7SlG-PEfDWecQCBdRupP1hn94AadyWgP_MZmjNpbkX8ciKoUlfgFzJrPyExQhyphenhyphenmDiNsOZZ1wQ70Ms3YAlrAWcv1QC/s320/Freddie.jpg" width="280" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Book 8 is Laurence & Sophia's story, both characters who were part of the Bath Tangle Set. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Laurence is creator of Automata Dolls.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisEKwos1rFCaB4agKIbtp_cr6UiD61ol-nuxyAUA-cHa_fvXFdH59dFm7G_HsLnm0kA_-KS7z-bg2aKIsNnPhu1A6-BZMbZ7Jv4q1z6PVXwGKHbt8CmE-Kmrx5Kc54PAwMYa2Cf2o3nvoX/s1600/Sophbowman.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="352" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisEKwos1rFCaB4agKIbtp_cr6UiD61ol-nuxyAUA-cHa_fvXFdH59dFm7G_HsLnm0kA_-KS7z-bg2aKIsNnPhu1A6-BZMbZ7Jv4q1z6PVXwGKHbt8CmE-Kmrx5Kc54PAwMYa2Cf2o3nvoX/s320/Sophbowman.jpg" width="279" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sophia is Rich Heiress.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3CrjlahVFZNtzBuujz4pjI5on9JhTDfOZs46ISx23quFqklz7RZEM_vSebgcdbUb0e8mRbrPOM5WRkLbdenBXC3z1Q2axp5jpxjRjWQcYN21IuDvRVPbShGOQPQuhPECp-_ikK-rvnAjN/s1600/filigold2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="37" data-original-width="340" height="34" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3CrjlahVFZNtzBuujz4pjI5on9JhTDfOZs46ISx23quFqklz7RZEM_vSebgcdbUb0e8mRbrPOM5WRkLbdenBXC3z1Q2axp5jpxjRjWQcYN21IuDvRVPbShGOQPQuhPECp-_ikK-rvnAjN/s320/filigold2.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And what of the ghost, or ghosts who are ancestors of the above, who feature in book 2?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">When writing a series of novels, there has to be a point where the writing ceases, but that said, I do intend writing the Ghosts' love story, because it is not quite as surmised by Brock Davenport who found a journal, one he failed to read in full when discovered. I say intend because at the present moment with a worldwide pandemic we have no choice but to take each day as it comes, and I am also in my dotage and may be pushing up daisies sooner than hoped for. Thus, on that happy note of eternal rest, I hope you've enjoyed perusing my charcoal etchings and cover paintings. The e-book versions will have the occasional etchings, the paperbacks far more when I get to them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Francine-Howarth/e/B0059FDF0I">Amazon US</a> <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Francine-Howarth/e/B0059FDF0I">Amazon UK</a> </span></div>
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Francine Howarthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02326542867876257042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808134950022033579.post-5162971846499211372020-03-04T10:37:00.001+00:002020-03-04T10:53:45.191+00:00A Character's perspective of our world! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A message from Christina Napier (character in Scandalous Whisper).</span></b></i></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have seemingly slipped through time.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Until this morning I had no concept of my existence in this other world. So what or who am I? That is something I too must come to terms with. Nevertheless, I am here, in some nether world. My very thoughts are my spoken words and now appearing before me on a rather peculiar device. But let me begin at the begin:</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Awakened by a bright light this very morn the concept of book and stepping from its pages became a whole new experience for me. I am, it would seem, a character within a book and my name is Christina. I was born into a fictional world and have no recollection of existence before my 21st year, for that is where my story begins, along with that of the man I love, Robert Lord Devonish. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Do I like this other world? Hmm.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It has many benefits, I shall grant it that: quite luxurious benefits. Though I cannot imagine why one would wish to have a metal carriage, and one that has to be driven to a strange place to be fuelled so that it functions, and then driven away again. Horses are so much more practical: fed and watered on one’s premises, and can be driven away at mere request of carriage ordered to the front door at a specified time.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The greatest benefit of this 2012 world, of which I approve most sincere, is that of a bathroom. What a delightful experience! Oh, and there are wonderful machines for kitchen staff, not least a contraption that washes clothes, washes dishes, and another which sucks dirt from rugs. Just think of the saving in house staff numbers, if all these things could be taken back to my fictional world of England in the year 1818. But of course, they would be useless in our world. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Another device I find most amusing is that from which I hear a voice, and likewise I can be heard, yet both speakers are miles distant. There is also what is referred to as The TV. It’s a rather fun contraption, but the device it requires to function correctly seems to malfunction with regularity. I think I shall be glad to get back to my own world, where women are feminine and men are men, for I have seen breeches everywhere and worn by men and women alike. But I thank my creator for giving me a glimpse of her world, and if not for her New Year’s resolution to publish in paperback I might be trapped inside a Kindle contraption instead of crispy new paperback book. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Farewell New World, and farewell to those who may read my missive farther into the future. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Yours Faithfully</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Christina Napier. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Blurb Scandalous Whisper:</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">England, September 1818, and the Hon Mrs. Napier views the Earl of Kilder as a most desirable suitor for her daughter’s hand in marriage. Forced to engage with the extremely handsome and charming earl, a darker side to his nature is revealed and Christina despises his very presence. Worse, her twin brother cavorts with the earl in unmentionable pursuits, and equally bent on seeing her married to his favoured friend. Luckily, with the return of the 11th Dragoons from France, their eldest brother’s homecoming affords Christina brief respite from the earl’s overt attentions. </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>So too, the man Christina admires above all others has returned to the Netherwood Estate. A chance meeting and lingering eye contact with her heart’s desire stirs rebellion within her. Her mother impervious to an act of wilful subterfuge insists Christina will marry the earl, but Christina indulges in secret liaisons with the man of her dreams. With deception retribution must follow and a cruel price is to be paid when Robert Lord Devonish is recalled to duty, the regiment bound for India. What will become of her now there is no one to save her from the earl’s clutches?</b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Francine-Howarth/e/B0059FDF0I">Amazon US</a> <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Francine-Howarth/e/B0059FDF0I">Amazon UK</a></span></div>
Francine Howarthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02326542867876257042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808134950022033579.post-3876715176381476952020-02-01T12:55:00.000+00:002020-02-26T21:59:31.894+00:00Free Chapter Read - The Waterloo Legacy<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74kN5usMMkz3_avuF2MbukLH51LQTHQOi3bMsyTkiwM7ozCuMQCi2ZF-0I20zDXiLEM1K478xtj6t4D9PbV9Rd8-ryQKy9DJc-pf18_bF1lBXAVXmcUVKeTKXh508D3PwGTXxG0fy0pnT/s1600/TWLast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1022" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74kN5usMMkz3_avuF2MbukLH51LQTHQOi3bMsyTkiwM7ozCuMQCi2ZF-0I20zDXiLEM1K478xtj6t4D9PbV9Rd8-ryQKy9DJc-pf18_bF1lBXAVXmcUVKeTKXh508D3PwGTXxG0fy0pnT/s320/TWLast.jpg" width="204" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">The Waterloo Legacy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Chapter 1<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Pennard Hall, Somerset 1815: 24<sup>th</sup> June<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Having escaped to the garden, sitting alone and utterly devoid of distractions, it was so very difficult to brush aside the image of light blue eyes turning smoky grey in sunlight, and of manly lips curving to a quirky smile. Would that she could erase that special memory of her heart’s desire and the relaxed manner of his basking in the afterglow of mutual bliss. But it was all too vivid: even the remembered sweet scent of flattened meadow grasses, where they had lain surrounded by moon daisies swaying gently on a balmy summer breeze.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> Both had known the love expressed between them was oh so wrong, but heady euphoria had taken hold in the madness of the moment. Although it was true love back then, illicit love, he still expressed undying love within his letters: letters she kept hidden.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> Oh how oft she had pondered over portraits hanging in the upper gallery, and studied the likeness between her son and that of Earls’ of Weston down the centuries. Mathew’s appearance bespoke untainted bloodlines, as did that of the present earl’s younger brother, whilst her husband, the earl, resembled none of the former.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> It was quite bizarre, for Michael Melrose, Earl of Weston, was fair, with light brown eyes, and florid features. Albeit of good height, he was so unlike the taller, dark-haired, blue-eyed Melrose trait, it was little wonder there were those within society who had looked upon Michael with a curious eye. Similarities to his mother, the dowager countess, had always excused his appearance. But his sister, May, had let slip observations from time to time of a curious bent in relation to her brother’s likeness to that of an unrelated family; and the very fact the family were not of Isobel’s acquaintance, she had no means to verify May’s comments.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> Thus daydreaming, and duly caught unawares, a sudden flash of pink in her peripheral vision drew her attention, and her heart sank. <i>Oh lordy</i>. So often, when she slipped away to write in her journal, someone would come looking for her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “<i>Izzie</i> . . . <i>Izzie . . .” </i>came a plaintive plea from her sister-in-law<i>. “</i>Where <i>are </i>you<i>?”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> Holding her breath whilst tempted to take flight, instead she remained seated behind the trunk of a favoured walnut tree, half hoping the lovely May would pass her by unnoticed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “<i>Izzie</i>. . <i>. Izzie</i>, I know you are out here, <i>somewhere</i>,” yelled May, quite unladylike in manner, followed by a sharp: “<i>Isobel</i>, <i>answer</i> me<i>.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> If May was resorting to Isobel then something was amiss, and she called out in response: “I’m here, by the walnut tree.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> May flew to her side, cheeks flushed almost as pink as her muslin day gown, her bright blue Melrose eyes alight with excitement. “It’s over. Can you believe it? Oh how glorious it must have been for Michael, for Luke, and your brother?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> Isobel’s heart somersaulted; part joy, part apprehension. “Over . . . you mean . . .”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “<i>Yes</i> . . . <i>Yes</i> . . . They’ve done for <i>Boney</i>, all over again, despite rumours of a humiliating retreat and desertion of Brussels.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “<i>May, </i>excitement is all very well,” said Isobel, snatching up her journal before getting to her feet, “but remember you are a lady, not a soldier given to barrack room slang.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “Oh piffle and stuff-shirt,” declared May, a hand thrust to her hip in recalcitrant stance. “I’m quoting Luke’s very words, and might I remind you, I am more than of age. Besides, it’s officially declared Wellington was victorious at Waterloo. It’s all clearly written within the London Gazette, and dated twenty-second of June.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> Isobel laughed whilst smoothing out creases from her skirts. “Have we letters, then?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “From Luke,” replied May, leaning forward to scoop a soft weave carriage wrap from the seat, which circled the tree.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “Oh, then no news from Michael?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “Not as yet, and Luke had so little to say, hence mother is beside herself with worry.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “For what reason, when we are blessed with the end of war?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “You know mother and her intuition,” said May, as they began strolling from the lower lawn to the upper paved terrace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “Well yes, I do, but on such a joyous occasion as this, we should be of mind in how best to celebrate the homecoming of our heroes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “My thoughts exactly, though I wager mother will never sanction preparations for a grand affair for their homecoming, which could be weeks, perhaps months hence.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “Why ever not, pray?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “My intuition tells me mother has a suspicion Luke might have been holding something back. His missive was very short, of which he dispatched post-haste on the nineteenth,” declared May, whilst trailing her fingers over a marble statuette of a shepherdess with a lamb tucked under arm. “Mother will in no way condone any celebration of Wellington’s victory, until both her sons are standing before her.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “But that is nonsense, for it is <i>I</i> who shall organise a celebratory ball for their homecoming.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> May let slip a sigh of delight in one breath; and in the next breath, as they hurriedly ascended steps to the upper terrace, sense of unease spilled forth. “I wish you and mother liked one another better.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> Linking her arm in May’s, she chuckled. “Your mother and I like one another well enough.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “<i>Piffle</i>. Only in respectful manner, as you do with each other’s acquaintances and friends.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “Is that not better than mere tolerance of each other?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> May sniffed; pointed in extreme. “I try my very best to bridge the divide between the pair of you, and I fail miserably so. And yet, both of you are as one when it comes to Mathew.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “Oh May . . . he’s but a child.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “I know, and believe me when I say: I am not in the least bit jealous of your son.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “Nor should you be, for your mother dotes on you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “I think not, for it is Michael she dotes on. After all, don’t all mothers dote on their first born?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “As Mathew is my first and only child I cannot in all honesty answer that question,” nor dared she reveal the truth, for Mathew was special, very special to her. “I hope, if ever I am blessed with more children, I shall love them all with equal measure.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “So shall I, if ever I should find a man who will wed a girl of height matching that of a young buck. Oh, harebells, Izzie. I am all but an old maid.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> Aware of movement within the drawing room, the garden doors before them, Isobel lowered her voice. “I would give anything to have your height and graceful countenance. Besides, you are but twenty and three years, and you have admirers at present, and soon shall have a veritable array of young titled officers returned from war and seeking a wife.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> May paused in step and laughed: mocking in tone and mocking self. “I’m about as graceful as a goose, and although Luke is by far, a head taller than Michael, I can stay abreast of Luke at any time.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> Preferring May’s company to that of the dowager countess, now standing watching them from the drawing room, Isobel dallied too: “I always found it impossible to keep abreast of Luke, for he used to set a gruelling pace.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “Yes, but you are so dainty, and Luke . . . Oh, but I don’t recall your walking out with Luke.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “It was but a couple of times, when Michael was indisposed with estate matters, and Harry was here, at the time.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “Well, of course Luke and your brother became good friends, and no doubt still are. Oh, just think, Izzie. Think what it will be like when they are all here: finally at home.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “Precisely, and what could be better than a grand ball to bring old friends together?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “But we have not set eyes on them in so long, I dare say Michael’s dark moods will be darker still or pray, knocked out of him, entirely. I do pray it is the latter.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> Isobel commiserated with May in regard to Michael’s moods, but said: “He had much to contend with before leaving home shores, and perchance, what he saw as a weighty burden back then, will seem less so upon his arrival home. After all, he earned Wellington’s respect as that of his military attaché and spymaster in Vienna.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “I have oft pondered why you ever married Michael. And yes, I know it was more or less an arranged marriage, or at least, so arranged you had little choice but to go through with it.” May’s eyes purposefully collided with hers, an overtly inquisitive expression. “I have no right to ask, but do you love him, Izzie, truly love him, or is it familial love as might be between good friends?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “I barely knew him before we were married. Our courtship was conducted by formal letter after we had danced but a few times at Almack’s. Then of course, during that grand picnic party here at <i>Pennard,</i> with parents and friends in attendance, he suddenly announced our betrothal, of which my father had already approved. Thence an engagement ball was held two weeks later. All, I might add, planned and plotted between your mother and my parents without my knowledge, and as you well know, Michael and I were then married but one month, and he went off to war.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “As did Luke, two-months later.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “And Harry, likewise,” intoned Isobel, not letting May ponder too long on past events<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “Yes, but Luke and Harry had already said they were going to war, and neither of them had any of the responsibilities Michael had. By rite of his title, he should have stayed here to protect us women. What if Napoleon had won every battle and then sailed across the water with his army? What of us? What might have become of us?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “Don’t you see, May? That is why he went. Michael went to war to defeat Napoleon, to protect us and the country at large. They all went for that very reason and just when it seemed safe to venture home, Napoleon escaped from Elba, and thence they were again forced to take action.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “I might forgive Michael, in time, but I shall make my thoughts known to him. Besides, I think his recklessness in rushing off to war was to show Luke and Harry he was no liver-bellied coward.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “Harry would never have accused Michael of cowardice for staying here, and I cannot imagine Luke thought any differently. Do allow Michael a little respite from war on his return, before slapping a war of words to his ears.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> May laughed. “Oh I shall like as not box him about the ears and forgive him there and then.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> The garden door fronting the drawing room was thrust wide, and the ever imposing portly dowager countess duly stepped forth in a purple silk gown. Her countenance was somewhat austere with grey hair pinned up and tucked beneath a black lace frilled mobcap as though the silly woman had taken to mourning a great loss rather than celebrating a glorious victory. Though for once, a smile as broad as her beam suddenly swept to her face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “Well, Isobel, what are your thoughts on the matter of Napoleon’s defeat?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “Much as your ladyship’s, I should imagine, and I am so very pleased to hear Michael will be coming home,” said she, when in reality she was living in dread of his homecoming.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “At first I had wondered at Luke’s less than informative correspondence, and having feared the worst I dressed appropriate for the coming of bad news, and now it has occurred to me, what else was there to say, other than ‘<i>Napoleon is done for’</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “Precisely, your ladyship. After all, if something was amiss, it would be stated within the letter.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “Then dear girl, how shall we celebrate their homecoming?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “I had thought a ball would be a grand gesture, not only for them, but for friends and fellow officers.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “Then a ball it shall be, and the preparations I shall leave in your capable hands.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “Did I hear<i> </i>correctly, <i>mother</i>?” queried May. “You want no <i>say,</i> in how the ball must be organised?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “Good heavens. No, not at all. I am away to London; on the morrow.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> Shocked by her mother’s statement, incredulity swept to May’s face. “Might I ask why?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “It is merely a matter of business I must attend to before Michael sets foot in the house.” With that said, the dowager countess let slip a furtive smile. “It’s nothing too awful, but as my eldest son is a stickler for well-balanced ledgers, there are a few discrepancies in need of setting to rights.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “<i>Mother</i>,” exclaimed May. “You have not borrowed monies from . . . Oh, but you have, I can see you have.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “Yes dear, I lost heavily a week or so ago at carding, and must repay my dues forthwith, else my eldest boy shall see the error of my ways.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> May’s brows arced, her tone erring moral high ground. “Michael, will like as not, curtail your expeditions to Almack’s, should he get to hear of your laying high stakes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “I think not,” rallied the dowager countess, “Who shall tell him, eh? More to the point, he‘s my son, not my keeper, and I shall do as I will.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “As you will,” murmured May.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “As I will,” intoned her mother, a dark look.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> And with a dismissive wave of the hand the dowager countess turned about and hurried back inside the house.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> May, let slip a deep sigh: “I do believe mother has just threatened to cut out my tongue should I breathe a word of her gambling to Michael. And how do you suppose she hid the discrepancies from Mr. Pomphrey?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> Isobel laughed, and made toward the drawing room. “I suspect Michael was well aware of your mother’s penchant for carding long before he set sail for the Peninsular. As for Mr. Pomphrey. The dear man is simply petrified of your mother, albeit he is supposedly this household’s advisor and holder of the earl’s purse in his absence.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “I dare say, but how is mother to repay borrowed monies, when she was clearly short of funds in the first place?” May stopped mid-stride, as though struck by lightning. “Oh no. . . Do you suppose her intention is to sell something? Jewellery perhaps . . .”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “If that is her only means of replacing stolen money, then it might . . .”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “<i>Stolen?” </i>screeched May<i>. “</i>How can it be construed as <i>stealing</i> to borrow money from the housekeeping kitty?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> Pausing before entering the house, Isobel lowered her voice. “Let us take the scenario of a cook, any cook in any household. Or a manservant for that matter, who borrows money from the kitchen’s kitty, being that of the tin set aside for paying the fish boy and the coal merchant. Would your mother consider such action, as the stealing of monies from the house?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “Well yes, of course she would.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “Then how is your mother’s borrowing of monies from the house any different?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “Oh <i>Izzie</i>, there is <i>no</i> comparison.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “I disagree, and if your mother has to sell a jewel or two in order to replenish that of which she has spirited away, it might serve to rein back her carding hand a little.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “Yes, you are right, and heaven knows what Michael would say to the discovery of a theft.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “Precisely, and I suspect he would suppose the thief dwelt below stairs, and what of us then? Could we stand by whilst servants are questioned, humiliated, and accused of stealing money, when not one of them had a hand in the kitty tin?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “There is that, I grant you, but neither would I dare betray mother.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “Perhaps not, and I dare say it would fall to my shoulders to protect the innocent from false accusations.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “But Izzie, you are the countess, and <i>you,</i> <i>must</i> <i>do</i>, as you see <i>fit</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> “Oh, I see. So it is I who will be placed in the perilous position of having a quiet word with Michael, that is, if your mother should fail to cover the shortfall in household funds.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> May screwed up her nose in mischievous manner. “He is the lord and master, and you his wife. Moreover, I would not truly have the courage to shame mother in Michael’s eyes. He is her favourite, after all.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> With that said, May brushed past her, and fled into the house.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> Heavens above, his sister nor his mother knew him at all well, or instead chose to ignore the fact he would likely accuse his wife of having overspent on frivolous items of a fashionable bent. How then could she plan a welcome home ball and account for its expenditure?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00UR5NDKM" style="color: #2323ec;">Amazon UK</a> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UR5NDKM" style="color: #2323ec;">Amazon US</a></span></div>
Francine Howarthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02326542867876257042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808134950022033579.post-75526364693020862222019-11-30T20:22:00.000+00:002019-11-30T20:39:28.882+00:00"The Quiet Ones are the Ones to Watch!"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTqtaTMC5WwOJUcqecmNPHSSwuQdRh8pIZ_EMZ_biqRT4l0noUMlUfAiiVmiAK-uUFKPhJ6zCNXkqaBx28-rvqfjSXn5XQdm_raWy1S_wq1mJ3wVl6-zrObkR1AZKhtEZTh6oe8xk_OGS5/s1600/george2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTqtaTMC5WwOJUcqecmNPHSSwuQdRh8pIZ_EMZ_biqRT4l0noUMlUfAiiVmiAK-uUFKPhJ6zCNXkqaBx28-rvqfjSXn5XQdm_raWy1S_wq1mJ3wVl6-zrObkR1AZKhtEZTh6oe8xk_OGS5/s320/george2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">When a new book is released and time seems to vanish! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Where do the days and weeks go? I wish I knew, and wish I had a PA to keep my correspondence up to date, and keep my blog updated. Thus wish on I must...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Pemberley</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Anyhoo, Georgiana Darcy's Secret Letters was released a while back. It's a steamier novel than Mr. Darcy's Mistress, and t</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">hroughout I kept telling myself - just remember how shy Georgiana was and depicted by Ms Austen as of a retiring nature. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">After all, Georgiana barely said boo but had almost eloped with George Wickham a year prior to his elopement (abduction) with Lydia Bennet. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Ponderous thought on that!!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The old adage "the quiet ones are the ones to watch" (is in general referral to men) but it is true, Ms Austen implied Georgiana was shy (retiring). But an elopement isn't conjured out of Scotch mist, is it? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And so, with Georgiana set free on the page she decided she had learned from bitter experience and would not make the same mistake again. Thus, how can one get into trouble with writing letters to a young man who dared to send one in the first place?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Assured letters cannot land her in a naughty pickle she indulges a young officer's bent to exchange of mutual correspondence. But such can convey the best of a person and hide secrets, just as letters themselves can be kept secret. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Oh lordy, Georgiana soon discovers, as one might with growing confidence, she begins to reveal more than one would wish for and that in itself may pose a problem that can only be resolved with face to face interaction. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And well, once paper is cast aside and flesh and blood man stands before one, all that must be said is much the harder to convey. More so if his close proximity is somewhat desirable.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">There you have it, once kissed there is no turning back from the joy of budding romance, and whilst discretion is uppermost and neither wishing to spoil their cosy correspondence dare she indulge more favourable pastimes? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">That first touch, that first beat of unbridled passion could become her undoing and when the past looms to haunt her, dare she really trust her heart this time? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">From the wilds of the Derbyshire Dales to the elegance of Pemberley, it is to the Scottish Borders and the man who wins her heart where she finds true happiness. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Iolaire House</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZBB3R1Z"> Amazon UK</a> <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07ZBB3R1Z">Amazon US</a></span></div>
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Francine Howarthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02326542867876257042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808134950022033579.post-58696513009668267602019-10-23T00:06:00.000+01:002019-12-22T12:50:36.482+00:00JAFF novels VS Jane Austen Originals.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Thoughts on how differently people
interpret historical romance novels written by the likes of Jane Austen and the
Bronte sisters, and how they interpret Regency based novels written by modern
day authors. Jane wrote lighthearted romantic comedy of manner plots, and the
Bronte sisters wrote dark romantic dramas. But today I’m focusing attention on
Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">There
were no rules in writing romance, nor was there a romance genre in olden times!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">If you’ve ever read “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Romance and Legend of Chivalry</b>” by A.
R. Moncrieff you would see how romance tales were a thing of poetic prose, 500
and more years past, which gradually developed into fairy tale romances of
Knights and Fair Maidens derived from fact and mingled with fiction. It is easy
to visualise the knight riding away to do battle the weeping maid waving from
the battlements of a mediaeval castle, and will he return or is this the last time
she will see him? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Or, take the white (good) knight
jousting with the black knight (baddy), most often the latter is in lustful wont,
the former in love with the same woman. The same old romances of legend are
still written today in differing romance genres. The fairy tale Snow White and
the Wicked Queen (step-mother) a rival in the Beauty Stakes, and no less dramatic
in Pride and Prejudice between Elizabeth and Caroline, with Caroline longing to
snare Darcy. (a mere snip of characters impressions from Snow White with a
touch of Cinderella rags to riches is there in Jane Austen’s Bennet tome) Both
are old tropes and each time as exciting as the author cares to make them and
expand on them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQQr627Sb3ZQYd-SxDy8xqrS4EQmgHYGTs3b1nR3Wf2fkzT6sL2Xs9VyTrDK7vMjqV7BKn-ivCJxpzklwt_0wO97ui0E0W2UjxnZcuh99RXk_aT0CF1y6SGo4Q8Z9fBjk1izmfWoc3EQ-O/s1600/1200s-two-joust.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="755" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQQr627Sb3ZQYd-SxDy8xqrS4EQmgHYGTs3b1nR3Wf2fkzT6sL2Xs9VyTrDK7vMjqV7BKn-ivCJxpzklwt_0wO97ui0E0W2UjxnZcuh99RXk_aT0CF1y6SGo4Q8Z9fBjk1izmfWoc3EQ-O/s320/1200s-two-joust.jpg" width="254" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0cm;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">We can snatch almost any sequence
from a fairy tale as read to us as children and find it in modern authors’ renditions
of Regency romances a million times over. There were no rules in the chivalric
novels for an HEA. King Arthur’s Guinevere loved Sir Lancelot, but neither
could be together, their love was pure and untainted by sex, and shared at a discreet
distance according to the chivalric Christian based tales, whereas who knows,
they could have been lovers! Later novels depicted them as lovers, so you take
your fairy tale characters as did Jane Austen and you play theatre manager with
them and have them perform on stage to your script. And yet, around the globe
similar if not identical fairy tales were accountable to the Greek classics,
Persian classics et al. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Whereas the romance genre of today as
developed in the 20<sup>th</sup> century rapidly acquired pseudo set rules,
namely rules set in stone by Mills & Boon of the early years:</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">The
Begin</span><span style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"> </span><span style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">- boy meets girl and</span><span style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">—</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">The Middle
– they’ve fallen in love, or deny they have to selves, or something arises to
keep them apart – known as </span><b style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">Contention</b><span style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">.
(Contention can range from parental disapproval, circumstances beyond their
control re military/other, or to the fact one may not trust the other
sufficiently and for numerous reasons. Basically the author chooses a plot
structure or writes on a wing and prayer known as Panster or Pantser = by seat
of pants).</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">The </span><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">End
- contention resolved and the HEA – Happy Ever After is guaranteed</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">All
well and good as basic templates for romance, but what of follow-on novels and
prequels – before and after a couple are married?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prequels</b>
give huge insight to the main protagonist/s, and provide information relevant
to their previous existence.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sequels</b>
depend greatly on excitement and thrills aplenty, but where is such to stem
from, if the sequel is a merely a couple who have each other and all is rosy in
the ongoing romantic closet. Unless something dramatic happens – an accident, fear
of death, tragic consequences for the family, murder, mayhem with a spate of
burglaries, kidnap, blackmail, otherwise, what is the author conveying if the
plot merely revolves around a happy couple, other than the author has fallen in
love with her characters and simply cannot let go of them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sequels
</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>can and do lend opportunity to
explore other characters from a previous book, and again scope is endless in
how they progress to an HEA.</span><b style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj52sE6BbgrRlS18DDNjFyOUgvgf2ffB8ktElxfDXGV1I2b_Q3r_53JaVNNooaSIVFbXStOI4MHOMbKrMKxgm-czoWNhUnVtkVdqYp5y3YxzjgE1j4hS83y0z5XjwnNhqNRHL-E9On9iMW-/s1600/Caroli.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj52sE6BbgrRlS18DDNjFyOUgvgf2ffB8ktElxfDXGV1I2b_Q3r_53JaVNNooaSIVFbXStOI4MHOMbKrMKxgm-czoWNhUnVtkVdqYp5y3YxzjgE1j4hS83y0z5XjwnNhqNRHL-E9On9iMW-/s1600/Caroli.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Caroline Bingley and Darcy</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Fan
Fiction</b> is not a new phenomenon. It’s been around for a long while, but
Jane Austen Fan Fiction has experienced an explosion of new and old talent authors
treading the dangerous corridors of hallowed ground. Ms Austen reigns as far as
die-hard fans of her works will tell you, and woe betide anyone who dares to alter
her plots. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">But <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Fan Fiction Variations</b> are alternative Jane Austen makeovers. And
why not, and books in this sub genre of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">JAFF</b>
(Jane Austen Fan Fiction) ranges from Regency era to modern reflections of her
plots, and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Time-Travel</b> too. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">So what to do when writing a JAFF
sequel with Jane Austen’s characters? That is anyone’s guess and authors go in
all sorts of directions. But as I said above, writing a book about a married
couple when the honeymoon is at end requires a great deal of author imagination,
because whilst Jane Austen provided fully-fledged characters and a plot
template to work from, authors of sequels and prequels are flying alone with no
laid out Austen plot. Imagination is key to creating the former life of a Jane
Austen character based on the barest snips of information in the original novel,
thus creation of an ongoing life experience of existing characters tests author
ability to create a new environment. That is not an easy task, for there will
always be those who will expect Jane Austen formal prose before all else, and
other readers will prefer more modern less formal text and a more modern
character attitude: irrespective of formal etiquette within the given historical
era. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Authors know they cannot please all
readers, and whilst some will write to established fan base tastes, other
authors will write with a broader perspective to wider readership, or write for
the pleasure of experimentation in a new genre. We all start somewhere in our
writing careers, and whether you’re with a publisher, whether you’re Indie, or
whether you’re an old timer as I am and have had conventionally published novels under
differing pseudonyms, and now Indie novels under present nom de plume, you will know how tough the industry really is. But
always, always, authors who love writing historical romances and love history,
they will do their damn best to write an HR with historical input seamlessly
interwoven to add that little essence of historical authenticity.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Jane Austen had no need to include
historical fact to render her books historical in content simply because she
was writing novels contemporary to her time. But when we are writing Regency
novels we add aspects of a heroine’s outfit, or other in colourful description,
because a book is not a movie, even though authors can make a book read as
though rolling on screen with those very descriptions. A carriage is a carriage,
yes, not necessarily. It can be any number of horse drawn vehicles, but it is always
a conveyance, whether on two or four wheels. Does it have one horse, two, or
four abreast, or two in tandem pushing that conveyance, and remember horses don’t
pull they push when in harness.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I’ll use my own Pride and Prejudice as
an example in stepping out with a mystery element, for when the old routine for
the master of a vast country estate kicks in, and Mr Darcy’s Pemberley was in
Jane Austen’s novel a sizable estate, how is an author to seek out something to
render the novel more than a mere continuing love affair? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">P. D. James, the great English crime
novelist wrote a P and P sequel as a murder mystery <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Death Comes to Pemberley.</b> I thoroughly enjoyed it, other readers
trashed it, so no there is no accounting for personal tastes, and I did get the
feeling from reading Amazon reviews an awful lot of authors who read it had no
idea who P. D. James was, or that numerous TV series of her books have graced
BBC and ITV for ions, as did Death Comes to Pemberley. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And so, I went out on a limb and depicted
Elizabeth’s adjustment to life at Pemberley as a testing time for her. After
all Elizabeth would initially be faced with a very different kind of life at
Pemberley. Think back to how Jane Austen suddenly gave Elizabeth a vast empty
house devoid of chattering siblings and an excitable mother in the last chapter.
I thought hard about the experience of being presented with a remote house far
from family and friends at a time when telephones didn’t exist, and letters had
to be written, sent, and reply waited upon. Similar happened to me when first
married, and the telephone was a lifeline! I therefore assumed the silence of
Pemberley would be deafening for Elizabeth, and Darcy did have an estate to
oversee, and God forbid his harbouring a secret which amounted to a belated
wedding present.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Elizabeth is a character of curiosity in the original novel
and she’s observant, and questions others motives, judges some worse than
others, and can misconstrue things in a contrary manner. And when one pokes
one’s nose into another’s private correspondence, well, it may not be good for
one. In my novel curiosity gives rise to overt imagination on Elizabeth's part
when she reads a letter not meant for her eyes - does Darcy have a mistress? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember cases of 21<sup>st</sup> century
wives cutting up Saville row suits, keying or paint daubing hubby's swanky car
when dejected by discovery her husband had a mistress?<span style="line-height: 150%;"> </span>Of course you do.
But in Regency England a wife was a chattel, her husband's property, and by law
he could exact his conjugal rights by force, slap her arse, and any money or
property she owned before marriage (Elizabeth Bennet had neither) it
automatically became the property of her husband on marriage. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Elizabeth is suddenly in a strange
house with no friends immediately to hand, and if she confronts Darcy over a
letter she will be subject to accusation of prying into his private
correspondence, and the potential for a row that may destroy what is or was a perfectly
good marriage. Yes she dwells on her findings, but she is also beholden to her
husband for the roof over her head, food on the table, and wifely allowance.
Bide her time she must, and bite her tongue rather than admit to poking her
nose into Darcy’s affairs, but as the blurb states, nothing is as it seems, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">oh what a web of deceit is spun, when authors practice
to deceive a heroine and readers alike with a mystery thread</i>!” The novel
actually, as someone else said, has a triple happy denouement, and it does.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">So why do readers and viewers
interpret books and movies differently, and how many are influenced by others
opinions? Not surprisingly only one reader has grasped part of the context of
my story - which is the underlying French Farce aspect and Comedy of Errors.
Most readers could only think in terms of a squabbling married couple, which in
the story they are not, but they do spar with words in competitive spirit, and Elizabeth’s
prickly edge amuses Darcy. But why would a reader say it has an unhappy ending,
when it has three happy endings? What is the purpose of that comment? I’m
totally baffled by it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The one thing Jane Austen told us
about Elizabeth & Darcy = they sparked off one another, and despite love
blossomed between them Darcy was not a man that would change over much in his
set ways. Darcy was meticulous in everything he did, as Jane Austen tells us.
Thus I had Darcy retaining copies of letters sent to others. Copies of letters
sent was a well known practice in the past in how to keep up with what was said
in previous letters and a means to allay repetition of same subject matter in
follow-up correspondence to friends and family. And thank God many persons in
the past did so, for those letters have proved invaluable to historians and
authors alike. And Behold, for, at the beginning of the book Darcy reads
through an old letter, an incriminating letter where he declares he suffered a
moment of self doubt in proposal of marriage to Elizabeth, and worse, that he
had made a second fool of himself. Elizabeth never sets eyes on that letter— else she may have shot
him on arrival back at the house. The letter in question was written before he
was actually wed to Elizabeth, during a spell of self doubt. But how many
couples or individuals suffer pre-wedding fears and ponder their sanity,
especially men? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I decided one could either write a mushy
extended post wedding love story (and nothing wrong with that) but once married
if there's no contention as in the original Pride & Prejudice, and no build
up to romance then Jane Austen's characters have lost that very spirit which
made them who they were. Darcy was no great romantic, he blundered in his first
proposal and insulted Elizabeth for a second time, and yet he as good as sleep
walked into a marriage proposal by default of declaring his feelings had not
changed. He didn't actually on that wintry walk ask Elizabeth "Will you
marry me" but she assumed it was so and he went along with it as any man
who is less than able to express himself to best advantage— unlike the smooth
talking Wickham! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4CBqjuHo0L4kEMkMk4CnIh1ddCVaFeZ32_biqkchKL8HCb7ysPoIRPJsqT3rqU_w-BrIFVbEvZpbrFIRT72-TefPJV9jDQdTkJV6zy7jJRevkuwTCRB691TgXo7l5tJV20U89kOK0jwqE/s1600/brandon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="565" data-original-width="923" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4CBqjuHo0L4kEMkMk4CnIh1ddCVaFeZ32_biqkchKL8HCb7ysPoIRPJsqT3rqU_w-BrIFVbEvZpbrFIRT72-TefPJV9jDQdTkJV6zy7jJRevkuwTCRB691TgXo7l5tJV20U89kOK0jwqE/s320/brandon.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0cm;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Sometimes I do wonder if readers
actually grasp Jane Austen's wicked sense of mischief! And there is a lot of underlying
mischief in Jane Austen's writings. She sometimes sets her characters up for
heady heights of passion and then a crashing downfall, and another hero to the
rescue, and I’ll wager you know which plot I’m referring to, yes, Sense and
Sensibility. Whereas in P/P contention between Elizabeth & Darcy was
stretched out with gradual sense of other, equally any nuance of romance was a
fragile thread throughout.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In effect Jane Austen created two
characters of similar personality, both outspoken; both opinionated; both given
to quick and misguided judgement of others (Elizabeth nonetheless duly enchanted
by Wickham initially, whilst her opinion of Lady Catherine is later justified).
Darcy has Caroline in tow with Bingley, and clearly Caroline is acceptable and
part of his small entourage, and Caroline assumes she will become Mrs
Fitzwilliam Darcy. Why did Caroline assume Darcy was interested in her? We
don’t really know the answer to that question, because we don’t know if Darcy had
prior given that impression. After all, he was fairly inept in
communication with females, and Caroline was in his company prior to his visit
to Hertfordshire? </span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Lady Catherine de Bourgh</span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In first impressions of Elizabeth he
is rude about her appearance. This is instant “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">contention</b>” and Caroline enhances Elizabeth’s faults and
that of her family thereafter in blind belief it will be to her own benefit.
Either way, Elizabeth and Darcy are at odds, and as we know tension builds as
physical desires overwhelm Darcy the more he encounters Elizabeth – a natural
enough response for any young man, and from physical desire love blossoms but he
blunders with his ardent proposal by immediately insulting her. (blundering
idiot) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">But is it love Darcy feels for
Elizabeth or raw physical desire at that point, hence his insult? He has an
estate, he requires an heir, and one could assume his attitude to be that of “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">better a woman who sparked him to a raging
furnace of desire than the sniping Caroline</i>.” And yet, when one stops and
thinks and compares Elizabeth and Caroline, they do have more in common than at
first glance. They not only become rivals from Caroline’s perspective,
Elizabeth is not immune to the fact Caroline dislikes her as much as she
dislikes Caroline, nor can Elizabeth ignore the fact Caroline has Darcy at her
elbow, or seemingly that is so, for wherever Bingley and Darcy are, so is Caroline.
Both Elizabeth and Caroline have cutting tongues, as we witnessed in
Elizabeth’s retort to Lady Catherine de Bourgh’s insulting remarks. So in some
respects one can see why Darcy may have been attracted to Caroline prior to
meeting Elizabeth.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Nevertheless, infuriated by Darcy’s
blundering and insulting proposal Elizabeth would have liked to tear his hair
out and shred him, and yet, when she later sets eyes on Pemberley reality hits
her in all that she could have had. Can she in all honesty, have prior forgiven
him his insult at that point in time? Pretty damn unlikely in real life,
methinks. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">But then again, one has to look at
the fact she is a product of her time, a time when marriages were not always
the result of a love match! He is nonetheless handsome, and a man of
substantial property income, which is not to be sniffed at nor snubbed, and she
plays her cards to perfection as a markedly demure young lady caught snooping
and duly flutters her eyelashes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Darcy senses all is not lost, that
Pemberley has achieved what he could not, and he would still prefer Elizabeth
in his bed than Caroline. There you have it, he has to learn to hunt his prey,
run it to ground and conquer the day, so he dreams up how, and decides
introduction to his sister will show he is a caring man, and you know the rest.
Elizabeth looks on him in a new light, but Wickham, dastardly Wickham
intervenes by eloping with Lydia, and in turn tears Darcy and Elizabeth apart. Darcy’s
ultimate good deed in paying Wickham to wed Lydia, and the purchase of a
captaincy in the regular army, renders Darcy worthy of Elizabeth’s hand in
marriage. And why not for who else is lining up to court Lizzie? No one. Thus,
on that wintry walk Elizabeth swallows a dollop of humble pie in gratitude to
Darcy’s purse, and his unstinting kindness to the Bennet household. Darcy in
turn conveys for the first time heartfelt feelings, not a proposal of marriage,
but could be construed as such if wanted and Elizabeth bites off his hand
(metaphorically speaking). Even though her father views it an ill advised
alliance, whatever Elizabeth wants her father agrees to, and Darcy did it right
and proper by approaching the father in orderly fashion. The end.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Don’t you just love evaluating characters
and why the author chose them and set them up for a rough ride to romance? Given
the era and the fact war was raging on the Continent in Jane Austen’s time, the
scope for JAFF novels is endless. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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Francine Howarthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02326542867876257042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808134950022033579.post-27978512506601771572019-09-01T20:48:00.001+01:002020-06-10T00:30:55.361+01:00The Last Betrayal - Plight of the Huguenots<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5zKnxv_blk5lSbpLii_BPDIunY_HCJQHCmN0Sv-M32bcdYz-_p52VZZ_tio-yri7SJXwEiVoRwLyOGDOp059kPfo2iwZ8XeWWpQ8DT820QMuoTyat_gKNQwvNc6T7rWXqeJ9P1Hn4CM09/s1600/fabianKAward.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1004" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5zKnxv_blk5lSbpLii_BPDIunY_HCJQHCmN0Sv-M32bcdYz-_p52VZZ_tio-yri7SJXwEiVoRwLyOGDOp059kPfo2iwZ8XeWWpQ8DT820QMuoTyat_gKNQwvNc6T7rWXqeJ9P1Hn4CM09/s320/fabianKAward.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Back cover blurb:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Versailles depicts the very essence of King
Louis XIV, but amidst secret executions, abductions, and imprisonments, two men
have served Louis’ every whim, never questioning the why of it, now one of
those men has imprisoned the other at the king’s command. Has Lady Fate or the
hand of God provided a chance escape to King Louis’ former Intelligencer, and
can revenge ever be sweet for king or commoner? With the past revisited and
finally laid to rest, love blossoms as a new life beckons, and the lovers pray
they can cross the border to safety. With the revocation of the Edict of Nantes
a tidal wave of fear has swept across France, thus a secret society formed by
Huguenot merchants from within safe havens abroad assists those in need. In the
meanwhile a secret society in England to dethrone James II brings the merchants
together as a united force to uphold the Protestant faith under the royal
standard of William of Orange. War is nigh, and can a Frenchman be trusted as
William’s spy extraordinaire?</span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Versailles-Betrayal-Sensual-Francine-Howarth-ebook/dp/B07X9F9P53">Amazon UK</a> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Versailles-Betrayal-Sensual-Francine-Howarth-ebook/dp/B07X9F9P53">Amazon US</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So chuffed to receive the Historical Readers' Award for this novel.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And </span><span style="font-size: large; text-align: justify;">Although the novel was in part inspired by the TV series, The Last Betrayal is a novel about the plight of the Huguenots! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://historicalreadersaward.blogspot.com/2019/08/historical-romance-last-betrayal.html">Historical Readers' Award</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Award Editorial Review:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">What a thrill-packed spicy fan fiction sequel this is.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">The background setting is France during the reign of Louis XIV. Dare it be said the author has either delved deep into research of her subject or has an uncanny familiarity with this period in history. The plight of the Huguenots and the ghastly consequences after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes is laid bare in this stylish novel. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"> In the vein of the Three Musketeers the hero and heroine make of life thrown their way. All the while historical facts are interlaced with fiction as the hero tells us of his past in vivid colour. Interestingly the timeline begins in 1685 in France and ends in 1688 with a happy conclusion after the coronation in England of William and Mary of Orange. The Last Betrayal was recommended for the Historical Readers’ Award and is hereby granted the gold award, and goes without saying it is well written.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What inspired this novel!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">After watching the BBC TV series Versailles, the plight of the Huguenots intrigued me, thus I delved deep into historical archives.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ctwYDd74P8Pl5ILswZrThGxPegKw-IbCQMboaYeMj66W8Rz2vXpnEaNWzprH3KlS9vT6rS6arpNTizEOx12IYqtG9-0DbalBmO-UNFOnl8D1fFdC9R26iF7AzXj5cBO8xYxVMRJJiJ8U/s1600/Gabriel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="267" data-original-width="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ctwYDd74P8Pl5ILswZrThGxPegKw-IbCQMboaYeMj66W8Rz2vXpnEaNWzprH3KlS9vT6rS6arpNTizEOx12IYqtG9-0DbalBmO-UNFOnl8D1fFdC9R26iF7AzXj5cBO8xYxVMRJJiJ8U/s1600/Gabriel.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It is said <b>Gabriel Nicolas de la Reynie, Chief of all Police Forces</b>, inspired the creation of Fabien Marchal in the TV series. The thing is, Gabriel was </span><span style="font-size: large;">a visionary in his own right, his profession was that of lawyer, judge, and not least the installing of street lights within Paris in great hopes it would deter criminals and assist in catching the devils. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There always has to be an underlying what drives them factor, and what </span><span style="font-size: large;">weakness if any can be touched by another. The hero had to have an Achilles Heel, but what was it? Thus I hope I have portrayed my character's inner self - the reason why his cold persona is his defensive shield. And of course, historical fact has a huge part to play in this sensual Romantic Swashbuckling novel. Inevitably the hero encounters love, true love along the way, but can he lay his past to rest? </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVDfQIbTKWM0oFR4a7VsoNGScJyj8I0lQ-1iOdqnZDGPePvwklQuSgfBN7FTyMoNmYYd6kwT4z14a18Z_PkVy6N1RZPV5f6sr1iet_omLzSH728Vu_DKYx31jLjvL4S55giXqTQ00CpjLA/s1600/EloiseFabscript.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="466" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVDfQIbTKWM0oFR4a7VsoNGScJyj8I0lQ-1iOdqnZDGPePvwklQuSgfBN7FTyMoNmYYd6kwT4z14a18Z_PkVy6N1RZPV5f6sr1iet_omLzSH728Vu_DKYx31jLjvL4S55giXqTQ00CpjLA/s320/EloiseFabscript.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Don't forget you can expand the image by clicking it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the novel the hero is masquerading as other than self, and for good reason, because he's on the run and is an escapee from custody. Equally, events in his youth are revealed, it is the fleshing out of a character who could be short-changed (scant on personal details) that can leave readers feeling cheated, thus letting characters shine in their own right by revealing their past renders them fully fledged. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Historically, King Louis' revengeful streak knew no bounds, for Huguenots were on the run where able, all fleeing from persecution and seeking peace in other countries. The revocation of the Edict of Nantes proved to be a disaster for Louis, but all that is revealed within the book. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI2-epzMJWS8mVBZojEgztaBx3LTpKZWvZV-qZYGxXprtbZUHLOwk_1iJPNHjMykZRdbVsMdbRbsco8Ze0N8qPFcWIm6dNaez8kju0nk4w_i_9bAUXkcBiXdn_nBz4U-VaYH1tch5GFV2b/s1600/Abraham+deques.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="686" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI2-epzMJWS8mVBZojEgztaBx3LTpKZWvZV-qZYGxXprtbZUHLOwk_1iJPNHjMykZRdbVsMdbRbsco8Ze0N8qPFcWIm6dNaez8kju0nk4w_i_9bAUXkcBiXdn_nBz4U-VaYH1tch5GFV2b/s320/Abraham+deques.jpeg" width="214" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; text-align: justify;">Admiral </span><span style="font-size: large; text-align: justify;">Abraham Duquesne, Marquis du Bouchet</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As many authors and scriptwriters claim poetic licence in books and movies, so have I with the creation of the hero's blood father. At a time when men had a mistress or many in their lifetimes, it is not absurd from reading the biography of <b>Admiral </b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Abraham Duquesne, Marquis du Bouchet</b> (1610-1688) that he probably had a mistress, in particular prior to the birth of the hero. The admiral's life within the time-frame of the story reveals a family torn apart by the King's persecution of Huguenots, and the admiral was a Huguenot and his family did go their separate ways, thus he died alone whilst in retirement within Paris. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Out of interest here are some pics dated the 17th century or early 18th century. All the places are featured in the novel. Oh, and did you know, Paris could be traversed from the old southern city wall to the northern gate in twenty minutes on foot. And where the greater Paris of today stands, once deep forests surrounded the city, the Forest of Versailles, The Forest of Fontainebleau (Biere) and others.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Louvre in Paris of Louis' reign</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Chateau de Vincennes where the hero was imprisoned.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Bastille at the time was a military garrison. That's why the Man in the Mask (velvet or Iron) was transferred to the Royal Fort on the Island of St Marguerite. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCKedyeCQRJmcJpyVOg-9ttwNL9wxcXj6NgQ3lj-bV7_N-jtho8H_zgt3neiQSVmCFpNbnCAAx8fbhYwGDZ2ZKhPgMdjUdg1CfpmIHifITInfC1Yq41slcgrc6SxWPQOb2WShzNqYrRCBc/s1600/ostend.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="284" data-original-width="441" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCKedyeCQRJmcJpyVOg-9ttwNL9wxcXj6NgQ3lj-bV7_N-jtho8H_zgt3neiQSVmCFpNbnCAAx8fbhYwGDZ2ZKhPgMdjUdg1CfpmIHifITInfC1Yq41slcgrc6SxWPQOb2WShzNqYrRCBc/s320/ostend.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7zsdyJoVwBg6UOU_HnlNovsswJ1YSLGFZKYrdxj_lDcp9XIaxzGUZuB-ZZ8R8HXDZrdkGr0GQ2DOP5UM4vlWyvQpNbR9RsNg2yQTX7nLiqmv-vPxNbH66YrALXYnu2f_2rDOmy2_TFtNk/s1600/ostend2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="417" data-original-width="360" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7zsdyJoVwBg6UOU_HnlNovsswJ1YSLGFZKYrdxj_lDcp9XIaxzGUZuB-ZZ8R8HXDZrdkGr0GQ2DOP5UM4vlWyvQpNbR9RsNg2yQTX7nLiqmv-vPxNbH66YrALXYnu2f_2rDOmy2_TFtNk/s320/ostend2.jpg" width="276" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And there are illustrations within the paperback version of houses featured in the novel. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And just as an aside, this is the watch presented to King Louis at coming of age (so it is claimed)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">L’État, c’est moi— I am the State — Louis XIV</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Two days he had been shackled in this dark place behind bars, his fate unknown. Retribution was surely at hand, and demons of old plagued his thoughts as though seeping from the dank walls in rivulets of green slime. The place stank, a putrid miasma of death and disease all around him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> How long he would be confined before death caught up with him was a sober thought, and it was fair to assume his punishment would be extreme when judgement was finally passed. That or he would be left to rot. Had the king’s musketeers taken him to the cells at the Temple Prison or the Châtelet, both hell holes for detainees of the state, at least on his arrival there the guards would have queried his arrest, which implied the royal palace musketeers who had taken him prisoner were acting on orders from the king’s absolute right-hand-man: Bontempes. Hence the use of Château de Vincennes, long since abandoned as a royal residence and unused by anyone but Louis, where he housed personal enemies in secret. There was no one closer to the king than his valet, the man who had devoted his life to Louis, the man more adviser than any of the official advising ministers of state. Bontempes was the one man Louis trusted above all others to see personal enemies brought to justice. And who would suspect a mere valet of dark deeds? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> But here he was, prisoner and victim of a conspiracy seeded within the royal house to silence anyone presumed a threat to the king. It was that very sense of betrayal, the revocation of the Edict of Nantes which had put many Huguenots to Flight and the king to senseless religious rage. Of the courtiers who had refused to convert to Catholicism many had duly braved the king’s scorn until they too were confined to their quarters. But when loved ones farther afield were placed under house arrest, worse befell each and every family as the days became weeks. Fear and dread of reprisals began spreading as potent as a wild fire raging through a forest. From the rich to the poor, the very fact people were denied the right to leave the country even he, formerly a man of steel will in loyalty to the king, could no longer be a party to the level of persecution now inflicted upon his own kind. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Versailles-Betrayal-Sensual-Francine-Howarth-ebook/dp/B07X9F9P53" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Amazon UK</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Versailles-Betrayal-Sensual-Francine-Howarth-ebook/dp/B07X9F9P53" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Amazon US</a></span><br />
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Francine Howarthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02326542867876257042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808134950022033579.post-83287380871843491442019-08-14T15:24:00.004+01:002019-08-14T15:28:44.633+01:00Daniel Defoe - Political Pamphleteer, Rebel Soldier, Novelist.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: medium;">What could Daniel Defoe possibly have in common with the Duke of Monmouth?</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: medium;">Well, quite a lot!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: medium;">If you didn’t know before reading this, then let me introduce you to the rebel soldier “Defoe”, who was a staunch supporter of Monmouth’s cause to topple James Stuart (James II) from his throne. Yes indeed, Defoe fought in Monmouth’s rebel army. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Unlike Monmouth, Defoe evaded capture (contrary to many Wiki accounts of Defoe’s life and supposed Kingly pardon) and made safe escape first to the Scilly Isles and secondary escape to the Low Countries. There Defoe lived in exile for several months and made many friends in Flanders (family ties/origin Flanders) and with Hollanders, as had Monmouth. </span></b><b style="text-indent: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But, when William of Orange ousted his father-in-law from the English throne, the invasion thus notably referred to as The Glorious Revolution, Defoe had prior returned as a spy, his travels abroad bringing him home after the terrors inflicted by Judge Jeffrey upon Hampshire, Dorset, and Somerset.</span></b><br />
<b style="text-indent: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b><b style="text-indent: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In self accounts of his own life, Defoe is sparing on detail to do with the Monmouth rebellion, though did say: whilst hiding in a churchyard from royalist soldiers who were hunting runaways from the Battle of Sedgemoor, he read the inscription on a tombstone: "Robinson Crusoe" which later became the novel, apparently inspired as much by his escape from English shores to the Scilly Isles and shipwreck off the island. Was this poetic licence and showmanship on his part, perhaps not, given the seriousness of those who fled the battlefield at Sedgemoor. </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Defoe was a journalist of his time, noting and recording events and printing news sheets and pamphlets - a Pamphlateer who became a Musketeer in Monmouth's Rebel Army. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Extra: Many of Monmouth’s supporters who evaded capture were known to the authorities but never found despite intense searches of houses by brutal means against existing occupants. Of those who escaped to the Scilly Isles and other island retreats and thought of themselves as safe and out of reach of the King’s hounds, were soon to learn the awful truth that the king’s vengeance had far from dissipated, even with the brutal finale of Monmouth’s decapitation. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>As naval ships were sighted on approach or anchored off-shore on those outlying islands so escapees were again forced into hiding or smuggled away in fishing boats to foreign shores. Defoe was in their number and with steel grit and determination he made it to the shores of Spain, took ship to Oostende in Flanders (family ties/roots/origin) which was under Spanish rule, and slowly made his way to the Dutch held territories of the Low Countries. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>He returned to English shores as a spy for William Orange, and come the Glorious Revolution, Defoe rode to greet William ashore. He led a colourful life thereafter with literary merits, and as did so many more of his ilk he lived well, spent well, and died as near a pauper as man can when things go awry in financial matters. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>The most dreadful account of Judge Jeffreys enacting a despicable remit, was the sending of privates parts of notables "to the wives/mothers" of those who were hung drawn and quartered. A list of prisoners and their respective fates can be viewed <a href="http://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/ecco/004840465.0001.000?rgn=main;view=fulltext" style="color: #ff418b; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">here</a>.</b> </span></div>
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Francine Howarthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02326542867876257042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808134950022033579.post-38214722601907547922019-06-30T13:25:00.001+01:002020-03-12T21:32:42.372+00:00History is Infinitely Fascinating! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Taking the title of this post as guideline, how far can fiction tread on history and not impede or alter historical fact, and yet render history intriguing and thought provoking? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I’m one of those authors who have it
in mind historical detail (fact and rumour) is just as important for authors of Historical Romance as is it for hard-nosed authors of general Historical Fiction. If no authentic backdrop is apparent then how are readers to enjoy sense of time and place past? That's not to say huge sections of a book need be given to historical detail, that's the job of the characters who can reveal what they see, what they hear, and their knowledge of events as they unfold in their world. I also love it when author's provide family lineage, not as merely a family tree map, when again the characters themselves can afford greater
depth aside from the main story. After all, what goes around can come around,
and the past can reveal much about individual personalities and the outlook of
elders and their respective influence on younger generations. Sometimes aspects
of the past are shrouded until a key is found which will unlock elements that
no one cared to talk about, or it was deemed no one would talk about after a
particular event. The incident, whatever, may have been of little or greater consequence
at the time, and over the years the telling can become distorted because a
secret is never a secret if more than one person knows of that secret. And a
dark secret is the underlying threat to the Dempsey family, because one man
covets something the Duke of Leominster owns. Thus the crux at issue is what
does a French marquis covet, the why of it, and why did he have an English duke
assassinated (?) in book 1. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Book 1</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Risk-All-Love-Dempsey-Fortune-ebook/dp/B07PR87KHK">Amazon UK</a> ~ <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Risk-All-Love-Dempsey-Fortune-ebook/dp/B07PR87KHK">Amazon US</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In the novel <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“To Risk All for Love – The Dempsey Fortune”</b> is where the demise of
Louis Dempsey, Duke of Leominster heralds the beginning of a vendetta with
roots as far back as three generations to King Louis XIV and the Grand Dauphin.
Although the story revolves around the new young duke and his sister, and his
sister is the leading light in the novel alongside her unusual hero, her brother unwittingly invites
guests into their home who consist of French gamblers, and people masquerading
as other than selves. The year is 1790 the era of the French revolution, and as
events unfold mystery escalates, murders occur, and threat of death reaches a
climax when all had thought the danger was at end and peace reigned once more until a letter dictates otherwise.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Book 2 </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tempt-Duke-Dempsey-Ring-Forbidden-ebook/dp/B07TSY33W8">Amazon UK</a> ~ <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Tempt-Duke-Dempsey-Ring-Forbidden-ebook/dp/B07TSY33W8">Amazon US </a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Book 2 <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“To Tempt a Duke – The Dempsey Ring”</b> the young duke is finally made
aware of the Marquis de Chartre’s desired object which the French aristocrat believes
will beget a greater object of desire. In the meanwhile the duke desires
something that belongs to the marquis by absolute legal right, but there is no
way they can strike a bargain and both gain their ultimate heart’s desire. Thus
both plan counter moves to thwart the other’s ambitions, and whilst murders
abound, and French spies are assisting the marquis in his endeavours, flames of
romance burn hot, but who will concede defeat and win the day? There you have the
baseline of the plot, but there’s so much more to the lineage of both men, and
history itself came into its own as the tapestry of a tragic tale three
generations past as the backdrop to the two books.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Grand Dauphin</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In brief, the Grand Dauphin entered into a Morganatic
marriage with Marie Émilie Thérèse de Joly, 'Mademoiselle de Choin' (2 August
1670 – 1732). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">She was a French lady-in-waiting to King Louis XIV's
morganatic wife, Madame de Maintenon. No children were, purportedly, born
within the marriage of le Grand Dauphin and Marie Émilie, and yet there is
evidence (Saint Simon chronicler) that Marie Émilie did give birth to one
child, the rumour being the infant died shortly after birth, which was not unusual in the
circumstance of (illegitimate royal infants) born to the French royal household
by commoner wives. </span></div>
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<o:p><span style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Marie Émilie Thérèse de Joly, 'Mademoiselle de Choin'</span></b></span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">There is no absolute proof a girl or
boy was born and died, and no proof there were other infants born and removed. Much of
the Dauphin and Marie Émilie's life together has been veiled and remains
relatively vague whilst much speculation abounds. Despite rumour, all children
born at Versailles to his once favoured mistresses, and the king's legitimate
offspring were taken away and reared elsewhere. Many of the illegitimate
children were farmed out to other households to cause no future embarrassment
to the royal house of Bourbon, barring those of his most favoured mistress
Madame de Montespan. On that basis of farming out infants I took <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">poetic licence</b> and created a link to
the Dempsey family and the marquis based on rumours that became rife in the
years of Louis XIV's court and the Grand Dauphin.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Louis XIV</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And so I rest my case for fiction
being fiction and letting fiction play with historical rumour, in that there
was indeed a child or children begotten from the Dauphin and Marie’s Morganatic
marriage, but King Louis being Louis probably removed any possible threat to less
than pure royal blood standing in line for succession to the throne. The Grand
Dauphin did on several occasions rebel in wilful manner but his father of a devious
nature did thwart the younger except in the instance of the morganatic marriage. After all, Louis XIV had entered into same with Madame de Maintenon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And then there are the aside factors in which houses to use as the fictional residences alongside known royal residences etc. The name les Muids equates to Hogs Head. Hogs head is a weight measure for wine = 300L (66 imp gal. 79 US gal). I therefore named the Dempsey's French residence as Château les Muids, and the inspiration for their château was a beautiful abandoned one. Unloved but beautiful inside and out. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">This is my fictional Dempsey residence in France</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In real terms there is a </span><span style="font-size: large;">Château les Muids </span><span style="font-size: large;">by that name and it is a hotel now, not merely a family residence and it was only built in 1790. Which really reflects the later architectural influence of the late 1700s instead of 17th century architecture (1600s).</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">You can visit this hotel</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What of ship parts etc in novels? The taff rail surrounding the poop deck. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Who would have thought how important research is even for </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Historical Romance novels?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">But it all comes down to author pride and the constant learning curve, hence history is infinitely fascinating! </span></div>
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Francine Howarthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02326542867876257042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808134950022033579.post-34643224553060793182019-04-30T12:37:00.000+01:002019-04-30T12:59:15.348+01:00Writing a Series of Novels is tough work...<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">These novels are driven by romance within history, the history aspect of prime importance. This isn't about major battles or memorable skirmishes, the series is about families in time of war, rebellion, and how they live, survive, and where love and devotion is tested not only by family loyalties but loyalties to king and county. Although the English Civil Wars entailed several major battles, and numerous skirmishes, much of the fighting was splintered and local to specific places as the rival armies traversed the country from north to south, and east to west. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have always derived immense pleasure from reading series novels. In fact I love ‘em and long ago I had it in mind to pen a series of four novels. Hence the English Civil Wars, Charles II’s attempt to wrest England from Cromwell’s clutches, the Restoration of Charles II and the Monmouth Rebellion sprang to life, and one portrait was the inspiration: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Who is, she and what might her life have entailed?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The stories as a whole have been in my head since some thirty years ago after a ghostly apparition of a horse appeared in the courtyard of our house, or not. Perhaps in truth, what I experienced on that day, albeit within the house where I lived, was mere sense of a time past, and yet, the bridle of the horse was real to the touch. Even so, life itself and other publishing commitments (books in popular genres publishers wanted to publish for guaranteed returns on investment ) prevented this series coming to fruition. But at last, they are here, or at least, they're on Amazon. Since quitting mainstream publishing and going Indie in 2011 I've settled to writing for me and for readers who love romance and life-like history in equal measure not merely dressed up historical romances. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">By the way, for anyone who follows my blog posts or knows me well, they also know how the majority of my stories come about, and if you’d like to know for yourself you can find out by reading <a href="http://francinehowarth.blogspot.co.uk/p/about-me.html" style="color: #ff418b; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #38761d;">About Me</span></a>. That said, the two houses in this series, in part reflect aspects of two houses, being one where I was born and the other in which I lived with my first husband. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But, getting back to the subject matter, there’s nothing more frustrating than having read a book and wishing when the end is reached, that the story had carried on. Often I’ve wanted to know what happens to the lead characters post HEA, but more than that, to learn the fate of secondary characters. And there have been occasions when a prequel could have added to a series. Hence, I came to the conclusion there was scope for one of those little informative prequels to my series after I'd written book one and partway through book two. The second lead character in book one was determined to redeem his reputation a little and in doing so enlighten readers as to his earlier days of frustrations in the court of Charles I. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And here it is.m behold the prequel <b>Debt of Honour </b>the forerunner to<b> </b>Book 1 </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">By Loyalty Divided. </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif;">Y</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">ep, it’s set within my favourite period of history <b>The English Civil War</b>. The backdrop setting is Somerset - Bristol/Bath and surrounding districts. Bristol at that time was the second most important city in England and several times it changed hands between Royalists and Parliamentarians throughout the Civil Wars. Yes, two wars, not one major conflict.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /><br />In <b>By Loyalty Divided</b>, the main characters are:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Morton Viscount Axebury, (rebel son of William Lord Gantry) who becomes a Captain of Horse in the Army of Parliament = New Model Army.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">William Lord Gantry (Royalist Commander)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Anna Lady Maitcliffe – born within the confines of the royal court until Lord Gantry became her ward.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>The plot</b> is a love triangle, which inevitably leads to tragedy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Secondary characters</b>:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Lady Georgina Mrs. Darnley (Parliamentarian) - his lordship’s sister </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Catherine Thornton and her brother </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Captain Thomas Thornton (Royalist). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Prince Charles, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Prince Rupert, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Lord Wittlesham. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The second novel in <b>The Royal Series</b>:</span><span style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Toast of Clifton</b>, needless to say <b>Toast</b> meaning hostess of note. This novel is also set within the West of England at the time of Charles II’s bid to regain the throne and crown of England.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Main characters</b>:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thomas Thornton<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Elizabeth Mountjoy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Morton Lord Gantry<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Anna Lady Gantry<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Secondary Characters</span></b><span style="font-size: large;"> are Catherine Lady Wittlesham (nee Thornton), Lord Wittlesham, Charles II, Lord Wilmot and others.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #c3c3c3; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Although Toast of Clifton is a story of intense and passionate love, past betrayal haunts the hero and when the chance to right a wrong comes his way he takes it, but to lose every thing including the love of his life is a high price to pay for heroism. For when the odds of being imprisoned and deported to the colonies is your lot, and your King is fleeing the enemy as well, who comes first: family or King? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #c3c3c3;">And then to</span><span style="background-color: #c3c3c3;"> </span><b style="background-color: #c3c3c3;">Royal Secrets, </b><span style="background-color: #c3c3c3;">in which</span><b style="background-color: #c3c3c3;"> </b><span style="background-color: #c3c3c3;"> the eldest Thornton daughter, Justine, sets her heart on the second generation Viscount Axebury of whom her father thoroughly disapproves and not without cause. Battles of family loyalty ensue, not only within the Thornton and Gantry households, but at Court too. It can be dangerous to overhear royal secrets when plotting to rid a king of his queen are afoot, as Justine soon discovers and her life suddenly in peril. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And then as the years pass the Gantry and Thornton children begin to take centre stage along with Lord Wittlesham's daughters. Old feuds, lust of youth, desires and recklessness are set to cause mayhem and heartbreak and many tears are shed as the young test the allegiance and loyalty of their elders during the heart-wrenching weeks of <b>The Monmouth Rebellion</b>! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">One of their number, Henry Gantry, is looked upon as a traitor to the Gantry family, his story is one of spies, emotional turmoil, and regrets aplenty. But he's a king's man and loyal to James II, whilst his brother and the Thornton's are loyal to the Duke of Monmouth. Family feuding aside, Henry soon faces the awful truth royal favour is as fickle as his wife's affections, and when he's confronted with love that knocks him sideways he's tormented by duty to king and crown and torn between the two women. Tragedy strikes a severe blow, and although Henry turns to kingly duties whilst grieving a great loss, it is a tuning point in his life, where sense of family suddenly means more to him than his king. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Rebellion continues in Lady of the Tower - Monmouth's Legacy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The rebel in this case is Thomasina, the youngest of the Thornton family, who risks her own life by venturing to the battlefield where carnage prevails. Whilst in search for her brother-in-law in a selfless act of bravery on behalf of her sister, her mission is fraught with danger, more especially when she's caught and assumed to be robbing the dead! Whilst love blossoms for Thomasina and Captain Owain Lascelles, the horror in the aftermath of the Monmouth Rebellion unfolds, and Judge Jeffreys reign of terror throughout Hampshire, Dorset, and Somerset impacts on their lives, their families, and friends. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And then, to come in about a year from now will be the release of:</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> To Risk All in the Name of Treason. </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Set during the time of the Glorious Revolution (1688-1689), though "glorious" is a slightly overrated word for the toppling of a king who scarpered when senior army officers went over to the enemy. This is the story of Lady Georgina Gantry and Ira Wittlesham (junior).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Whilst Georgina takes on the role of spy within the Court of James II, as a lady to the Queen's bedchamber, Ira spies from within the king's personal court and within the salons of fellow officers of his majesty's lifeguards. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But as history tells us, much deceit was already rife during the immediate aftermath of the Monmouth Rebellion and the dreadful circumstances surrounding Judge Jeffreys bloody reign. Thus the run up to the coming of William of Orange to the throne of England, is depicted from 1685 when a plot to overthrow James II was seeded and grew into a secret club of army officers. Two of the most famous hedged their bets throughout in determination to be on the winning side thus they wore false faces at court as did several more courtiers and junior officers of their day, and the latter were the first to desert their lines in Salisbury and ride to greet William and join his forces. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUYA917KzikHiGMEy2nbsuSTTnW5CoN04Wz2CMn40MUExbjQIKmoJXftyxwR-W3RQ8Cee3cArYCyvLo2hiJLHDnNpaB_D1_PF-mqFJycmbW-fI1g4eXg19dGI2Yof6oUsG3_ZWCkyQJeoz/s1600/Treasonlast2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="999" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUYA917KzikHiGMEy2nbsuSTTnW5CoN04Wz2CMn40MUExbjQIKmoJXftyxwR-W3RQ8Cee3cArYCyvLo2hiJLHDnNpaB_D1_PF-mqFJycmbW-fI1g4eXg19dGI2Yof6oUsG3_ZWCkyQJeoz/s320/Treasonlast2.jpg" width="199" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">All the books are available via Amazon worldwide.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Francine-Howarth/e/B0059FDF0I/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0" style="color: #ff418b; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"> Amazon UK</a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Francine-Howarth/e/B0059FDF0I/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0" style="color: #ff418b; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Amazon US</a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #c3c3c3; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: #c3c3c3; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"> https://youtu.be/Qs3xHAIoKa0 </span><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ugt6c8-xMxg" style="background-color: #c3c3c3; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" width="420"></iframe>Francine Howarthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02326542867876257042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808134950022033579.post-4732118064350126492019-04-09T12:42:00.000+01:002019-06-06T10:07:19.829+01:00Minor characters can be leading lights!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_FtLa9hGg-4o_8QO1CTBkDOR-FkvnZz2XosPZLIuuMA1tnm9SPQAWCjwL1Furjg51OfH19hIWLfcRzBB7t4nDU-xMq271dy_CjZEndZ3TV7a5QsQuSBg0GOwh2vyg289Se6ZMKkNaniT/s1600/thesisters3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="391" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_FtLa9hGg-4o_8QO1CTBkDOR-FkvnZz2XosPZLIuuMA1tnm9SPQAWCjwL1Furjg51OfH19hIWLfcRzBB7t4nDU-xMq271dy_CjZEndZ3TV7a5QsQuSBg0GOwh2vyg289Se6ZMKkNaniT/s320/thesisters3.jpg" width="278" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It is often said many readers dislike introductions to books
by way of minor characters whose part is solely given to that of introducing
the main protagonists. Thus, out of pure interest, does an opening to a novel
annoy you if minor characters gradually introduce the lead characters? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ardent fans
of Jane Austen are no doubt conscious of Jane’s use of minor characters as
backdrops to the main story (Wickham), or as a means of secondary observant
viewpoint (Mary and Caroline in P&P). Georgette Heyer often used minor
character/s for the opening of novels and those characters proved vital to overall plots. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The portrait above inspired the creation of
Chastity and Honour, essentially two minor characters and truthfully I never saw
them as lead characters. Once I started writing the sisters materialised as very different in
outlook and temperament. Chastity is sweet, impressionable, and a little rotund
for her years. She suffers lack of breath when out walking. Whilst Honour (elder) being slim, she's obsessed with perfection all things, bitter of tongue, judgemental
of others, and is her mother’s favourite. </span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Subsequently, it is these two girls who
introduce the lead characters within <b>A Sinful Countess</b>. Whilst stories of
vampires thrill Chastity, prim Honour not only fears the storyteller, her
reaction fuels the plot, and fuels conflict between two households. Neither sister
could predict that of which will befall them all as time passes. And their individual
personalities result in very different lifestyles and opposing opinions, as revealed later. I did
wonder after having finished <b>A Sinful Countess</b>, whether to revisit Chastity and Honour at the point before they went their separate ways! Who knows, perhaps
they do indeed deserve a book of their own.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdtOhT6GoWdvXQ-ligOh-zK4Yur3ONHMBpRNYgll0Q9roxaegnH4xBbO4ZzZGR_P7Tln3CfmSjD3eUKRPEoRiLw-YcG9uLVNqbgYyWpX0RMiCR65ZtBDpo1gJdQzuzmiK20PSZF4ZuEL_K/s1600/chatlastd2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1093" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdtOhT6GoWdvXQ-ligOh-zK4Yur3ONHMBpRNYgll0Q9roxaegnH4xBbO4ZzZGR_P7Tln3CfmSjD3eUKRPEoRiLw-YcG9uLVNqbgYyWpX0RMiCR65ZtBDpo1gJdQzuzmiK20PSZF4ZuEL_K/s320/chatlastd2.jpg" width="218" /></a></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Back cover blurb:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">...rekindling flames from smouldering embers of lustful
dreams is a risqué venture...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Whilst tales of Gothic horror deters
visitors to Titchley House, the publication of Byron’s <i>Vampyre</i> added to the rumour the Countess of Villach has returned to
her childhood home stirs untold curiosity at neighbouring Upton Park. Alas, fear
in one girl’s nightmare stirs her uncle and father to action, but neither man is
truly prepared when the past and present collide in a whirlwind of suppressed
love and desire. Whilst Bryony Stafford, novelist extraordinaire, wars with the
Earl of Wittlesea, his brother Captain Carleton is hell-bent on seducing the countess.
He’s no saint and well aware scandal can taint the innocent, but can he win the
woman he’s coveted for ten years or is she truly a Sinful Countess?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Regency-Romance-Countess-Francine-Howarth-ebook/dp/B0782231ZS">Amazon UK</a> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Regency-Romance-Countess-Francine-Howarth-ebook/dp/B0782231ZS">Amazon US</a></span></div>
Francine Howarthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02326542867876257042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808134950022033579.post-45710298263487445312019-03-19T21:30:00.001+00:002019-07-10T22:40:07.151+01:00Jane Austen Book Awards!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">What can one say, but Thank You to the Jane Austen judges: sincere thanks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Speeches are just not me... </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I hate award ceremonies and all that overt gushing and full-on bluster. Besides, other than Pat Jackson my editor, who has admitted time and again at having forgotten to edit because he became so immersed in the story, which is a morale boost in itself. But, I am for the rest of the process entirely alone in formatting for e-book and paperback editions, and the painting of my own covers. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So that's it, me...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now I'll get off the stage and get on with the rest of the show.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rLWdT6U99mfvFRzPB5bNc08cNpnA6lKyau3hwcHsUiXZr_xalLqjaqe_CCrdWW8cp0BunTTkrefCZWNkyaJnaTPL5WDCdySQDIdOnHW7oz26LXaE9IY99ot81_eFT0KEOtKB_9qQMNI9/s1600/darcymistresslast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="999" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rLWdT6U99mfvFRzPB5bNc08cNpnA6lKyau3hwcHsUiXZr_xalLqjaqe_CCrdWW8cp0BunTTkrefCZWNkyaJnaTPL5WDCdySQDIdOnHW7oz26LXaE9IY99ot81_eFT0KEOtKB_9qQMNI9/s320/darcymistresslast.jpg" width="199" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And.... I'm in good company on <a href="https://janeaustenreadersaward.blogspot.com/2019/01/georgian-awards_10.html">second award!</a></span></div>
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Francine Howarthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02326542867876257042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808134950022033579.post-76977970220393725052019-01-14T22:23:00.000+00:002019-05-19T11:15:34.013+01:00Suicide for authors in the Romance genre!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The very fact I paint my own covers I do require models, hence the photo on the right became the model for the hero depicted with the heroine in the left hand cover snip. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCmB1wp_b_yB6Q1cWtm2I90y6XVwW5TntBH3-IDT7S-r65-9ud6EK7kq5Q8HJbvAyIJBlA1ET9F1VR3Y7DtosEK_SglY-OdkM1y0emwxRc-eYwdCv9PTqjZ-iESPUTvgwFQ1J_lKD8yIV0/s1600/newwip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="464" data-original-width="709" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCmB1wp_b_yB6Q1cWtm2I90y6XVwW5TntBH3-IDT7S-r65-9ud6EK7kq5Q8HJbvAyIJBlA1ET9F1VR3Y7DtosEK_SglY-OdkM1y0emwxRc-eYwdCv9PTqjZ-iESPUTvgwFQ1J_lKD8yIV0/s320/newwip.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Unusual hero for a Georgian era novel? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I suppose he is, and no, he's not some romantic Bedouin tribesman who rides to the rescue of a fair maid or abducts her for his personal pleasure, nor is he a Barbary pirate. He's a young man of honour who swears fealty to a man who saved his life from one fate, though the greater fate prior awaiting him was, in part, more dire than death. And what transpires is not your average romance... errr, love story between two couples. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY4hEIH1LIwbmqZ7qW1pCz8y1ZBzJDnOIJQetjiZ_KiC0psdlwWz-XDuoZaKAVpK5SWTEL3PbJEwWULI9LSET9BDj5IE6ts1OBitdDHrUpcDAK-fwsZwsTGr_Yl7VhuUIUp4XqbJU8v3FN/s1600/frigate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="736" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY4hEIH1LIwbmqZ7qW1pCz8y1ZBzJDnOIJQetjiZ_KiC0psdlwWz-XDuoZaKAVpK5SWTEL3PbJEwWULI9LSET9BDj5IE6ts1OBitdDHrUpcDAK-fwsZwsTGr_Yl7VhuUIUp4XqbJU8v3FN/s320/frigate.jpg" width="249" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ooops! I must categorise my writing in correct terminology. I pray you heard not my whispered curse at that juncture...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hence, writing out of the box for me is a passion in how far I can stretch the ubiquitous rules for historical romance novels, which have long since warn thin for me as a reader and writer. The standard boy meets girl, contention arises to keep H/H apart (you know the formula) and all is finally resolved for the HEA (happy ever after). I do read them but find myself often waiting for a riveting scene, something out of the ordinary, and it may be but a few words, and those words are insightful, memorable, and if written well they later vindicate suspicion of foreshadowing: that sense of evil this way comes, or sense of a presence watching. waiting... </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That's the kind of writing I admire and what I strive for, because if you don't read every word, a clue or nuance of other can be missed and the whole utterly misconstrued. After all, reading is all in the words, one can't fast-forward in the visual context and hope nothing of importance was said or enacted. High stake problems, social restraints and failure motivate desire for change, and such can and will drive a novel forward, whether in narrative or dialogue. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Stop for a moment and consider desires that transcend sage mind, where emotions spin out of control, where envy steals forth in all its ugliness, where a heroine or hero will take risks to achieve her or his aim for the life they want. Imagine a heroine who believes she cannot have that of which she desires and will literally take herself off to a nunnery rather than do as others would have her abide to. A young hero who vanishes to live a differing experience and learns more than he bargained for en route. In the great scheme of writing I do break the rules of romance from time to time, because too often stories are so alike I feel I've travelled on the same road, seen the same sights and nothing exciting or heart-wrenching happened along the way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">How dangerous is it to break romance rules and gallop off on wild and exciting trails of discovery, or break with tradition? Answer: It can be suicide for an author to go off the beaten romance track and indulge a Romance train wreck in which a sub hero dies, or the hero is killed! But sometimes events conspire against the author, characters determine their own destiny, and here is where the same old argument arises in what constitutes a "Romance Novel" as opposed to "Love Story".</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The former Romance Novel is strictly romance all the way with little irritating asides, a touch of fear, abduction, murder, mystery, damn near rape, or forced sex in marriage, forced marriage, widowhood, and angst of one sort or another, plus friction, envy, rivalry, hot hot sex with a ghost, or no sex at all and all must have a fairy tale end. And Lo and Behold, the HEA supersedes the shocking elements, or how base the sex was, whatever... </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">With a Love Story one can do almost any damn thing listed above one likes, and even kill the hero or heroine in the last scene shot. That's the most memorable end, is it not - remember Harry's Game the TV drama, or Heathcliff's haunting in Wuthering Heights? But whoa, that's the suicide bid, the end bite where a reader can turn against the author. And even if the novel has a secondary HEA, that may not pacify the reader, and it does not classify it as a Romance novel, not even a teeny weeny or grand Romantic ending. Oh, no, no, it's merely a Love Story as die-hard romancers will ram down your throat on social media until you wish you could puke all over their over zealous pomposity!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But back to the hero, the unusual, and the penning of risque love affairs... ah, do I have your attention? Some authors are more daring than others, and scarred heroes and spies returned from the Peninsular Wars, "Wellington and Napoleonic" era, have been the rage for several years now, and it would be great to see more modern-day authors risking all for love with unusual historical heroes! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Damn it, research history, seek out the unusual and run or ride with it, and to hell with boring formula romance, Be daring, beguile, and write out of the box, Discard the sweet twee novel, and go for full-on cinematic glory where God forbid another author has gone before... </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What of a highwayman who isn't?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">What of highwayman who robs for the daring of it, nothing more?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">What of a soldier/sailor who is more than he appears to be?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">What of heroine masquerading as other than she is and for good reason?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">What of heroine who has walked a dark path and finally finds the love she has always sought?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">What of young man who loves a heroine with extreme passion but can never voice that love?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Those are just a few of the story lines from my list of books... </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Go write out of the box and dare to be different!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Risk-All-Love-Dempsey-Fortune/dp/1092929207">Amazon UK</a> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Risk-All-Love-Dempsey-Fortune/dp/1092929207"> Amazon US</a></span></div>
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Francine Howarthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02326542867876257042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808134950022033579.post-78703571766693021842019-01-07T11:32:00.002+00:002019-06-19T12:13:28.881+01:00Lady of the Tower <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My words have taken flight with dark deeds of human nature, its envy, its jealousy, its lustful desires, unforgiving in its brutality;</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">my mind is bruised, tears welled, and yet, and yet, one moment of happiness eases the pain of yesteryears;</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">the going back through the words of others, those who saw, those who died before the ink dried, and those who loved and again returned,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">none could forget, some couldn't forgive, thus they rallied,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">and avowed to avenge the one a king had put to death.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; color: #1d2129; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">BOOK RELEASE DAY - Finally finished after two years of searching for every scrap of evidence I could dig up in avoidance of bullshit "Victor" propaganda, which so many historians and authors </span><span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; color: #1d2129; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">who take words as writ by others as proof of past events.</span><span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; color: #1d2129; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Not so,</span><span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; color: #1d2129; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> John Childs author/prof/biographer of Percy Kirke. Nor I who never takes anything for granted where history is concerned, instead I think, puzzle, and question the motives of the movers and shakers of their day. I investigate, dig deep into archives, pit one person's words against another's, look for discrepancies, look for the hidden clues and follow your nose as a bloodhound on fresh scent of its prey.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; color: #1d2129; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">In the aftermath of Rebellion and the Duke of Monmouth’s defeat, Thomasina Thornton rides to the battlefield wearing her dead brother’s clothes. Desperately searching for her brother-in-law, a Dutch officer, she’s aware of the dangers of posing as a curious lad. Fear and dread of capture materialises in stark reality with the arrival of a new officer and detachment of cavalry. As innocent bystanders and robbers of the dead are herded together, her freedom is at an end. Never had she envisaged the man who had momentarily held her gaze within the splendour of Axebury Hall would now hold her life in his hands. Nor can she perceive love and romance could or would blossom between them in that moment when threat of death, and worse, floods her thoughts.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; color: #1d2129; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This isn't a romance set against a historical backdrop, it's all about the raw reality of rebellion against a monarch by a king's natural son (a long debated point). Romance does blossom when least expected, but harbouring the enemy is always a dangerous business. more so when that man is a spy in the king's camp.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">One</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sedgemoor – Somerset 1685: July 7<sup>th</sup><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thomasina had left the inn not long
after dawn, the stench of death now all about her, and where to begin her
search she knew not, but at least no one had attempted to stop her from riding
near to the battlefield. People were coming and going; the whole scene was a
hive of activity as bodies with waterlogged clothing were hauled from rhynes
and left for the death carts. Lifeless uniformed royalist soldiers slain on the
surrounding fields had been hefted to wagons, and now moving away for burial.
There were women amidst the dead searching and sorting rebel belongings from
royalists, and all around little groups of people were given to tears on
finding rebel soldiers who were known to them. Some begged to take their loved
ones away, others had found friends. When finally granted permission to remove
bodies, sense of great reverence befell the gathered, and all whilst under the
watchful eye of royalist soldiers of foot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">A strange air of calm prevailed,
perhaps part fear on the side of the civilians, and part respect on the part of
the soldiers. Whether the soldiers were under orders to refrain from engaging
insults and scornful reproach, it was impossible to determine. Nearby were two
mounted soldiers, thankfully patrolling the far side of the bank and farther
forward than she. Twice retching had befallen her, and a supposed boy retching
might attract unwanted attention. But the sight of horse carcasses part floating
was wholly incongruous in what had once been an idyllic haven for a majestic flotilla
of swans now heading upstream, the appearance of the birds drawing the
attention of the two riders. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Far from being the only civilian,
she was a solitary figure on horseback whilst searching through the devastation
of mangled and bloodied men. She had intentionally kept her distance and ridden
the banks of the lesser Bussex rhyne and now edged Bramble toward the greater
rhyne, the Langmoor Rhyne; where it was said the Dutch soldiers had perished.
After all, a rebel runaway soldier killed near the King’s Head Inn declared he
had witnessed the Dutch soldiers tumbling into the water; and looking down at
the number of drowned horses and bodies tangled in weeds she feared the worst.
As yet she had seen no fair hair, so fair it was the colour of cream off the
milk. There was golden, brown and black hair of dead men floating, and lifeless
eyes peering heavenward.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So engrossed in peering into reed
and rush beds was she, the sudden sound of many horses on approach along the
highway set her heart thudding. Barely had she gained her wits than a cavalry
troop entered into the field. They soon split into detachments of four men, and
were clearly intent on clearing the field of civilians. No. They were detaining
them, herding them together as though they were but cattle. Fearing the worst,
she cast her eyes along the rhyne to where she had seen the two riders in the
far field, one a royalist officer of the Oxford Blues, if she was not mistaken.
They too had noticed the new arrivals and duly crossed over the rhyne at a
wooden plungeon and cantered across the field to join with their compatriots,
or so she thought, until raised voices denoted a dispute had arisen between the
officer in blue, and the newcomer wearing red.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">To turn about and ride past the
assembled would be somewhat foolhardy so she rode on toward the crossing point
in hope no one would notice. When the plungeon was reached Bramble faltered. He
was totally unwilling to tread the flooded and muddied crossing point. His
behaviour much the same as when he had resisted her attempt to keep him close
to the bank whilst keeping her eyes to the waters below. He could smell death
all around, and even he could not be immune to the sight of dead horses.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Someone shouted “Hey, you there.
What are you about, lad?”</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Francine Howarthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02326542867876257042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808134950022033579.post-88468868596162585952018-11-28T15:42:00.002+00:002018-12-12T12:06:55.505+00:00Mr Darcy's Home County.<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So here we are in Derbyshire - Mr. Darcy's home county!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Derbyshire is a mix of High Peaks and glorious dells where rivers wend through steep valleys to reveal undulating slopes and flat river plains. In like to much of England, the county has numerous bridges from small pack horse bridges to the grand multi-span arched bridges. Often as not the moorland and peaks are shrouded in mist which lends the upper slopes to sense of a Gothic landscape erring somewhat creepy and mysterious to strangers, and can lead to finding oneself lost even with modern road signs. Whereas, in the Georgian era there were but milestones and no doubt as today, they were part shrouded in moss or ground ivy because locals knew their way around and no one bothered to clear away the creeping flora! Wooden signposts on high ground were prone to collapse in high winds of yesteryears, unlike the later mid-Victorian Iron signposts. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xqRep3KdrbVZjm004gWZjU0naf_ooSZmpLbHaWf75ExHk491Z1fjHLrrBpzbiVj4DVLfvKC33RkUtXW8IYJV-sh62kgoWbt_t_zAXgE18L839O7-LtJSBlyqg-uLBwSGeIwue55TIZ8-/s1600/mist2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="263" data-original-width="350" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xqRep3KdrbVZjm004gWZjU0naf_ooSZmpLbHaWf75ExHk491Z1fjHLrrBpzbiVj4DVLfvKC33RkUtXW8IYJV-sh62kgoWbt_t_zAXgE18L839O7-LtJSBlyqg-uLBwSGeIwue55TIZ8-/s320/mist2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">There are several grand estates within Derbyshire, not least the country seat of the Duke's of Devonshire at Chatsworth House, and Hardwick Hall, both houses within the Cavendish family hands at that time!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Painting of Chatsworth circa 1785</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Chapter 43 Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Elizabeth, as they drove along,
watched for the first appearance of Pemberley Woods with some perturbation, and
where at length they turned in at the lodge, her spirits were in a high
flutter.</i></span></div>
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The park was very large, and contained great variety of ground. They
entered it in one of the lowest points, and drove for some time through a
beautiful wood stretching over a wide extent.</i></span></div>
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Elizabeth’s mind was too full for conversation but she saw and admired
every remarkable spot and point of view. They gradually ascended for a half-a-mile,
and there found themselves at the top of
a considerable eminence, where the wood
ceased, and the eye was instantly caught by Pemberley House, situated on the
opposite side of a valley, into which the road with some abruptness wound. It
was a large, handsome stone building, standing well on rising ground , and
backed by a ridge of high woody hills; and in front, a stream of some natural
importance was swelled into greater, but without any artificial appearance. It
banks were neither formal nor falsely adorned.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In my JAFF novel I chose Buxton as the main country spa town nearest to Pemberley, in part because Jane Austen mentioned High Peak which is a long way north of Matlock. And although it is claimed Jane Austen stayed at The Rutland Arms in Bakewell, thus Mrs. Gardiner's Lambton is based on Bakewell, Buxton seemed closer to Pemberley's imagined location; based on the fact it couldn't be Chatsworth as Elizabeth and the Gardiners' had ventured to see Chatsworth and other en route. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Chatsworth today. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Chapter 42 Pride and Prejudice JA.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;">In that county there was enough to
be seen to occupy the chief of their three weeks; and to Mrs. Gardiner it had a
peculiarly strong affection. The town where she had formerly passed some years
of her life, and where they were now to spend a few days, was probably as great
an object of her curiosity as all the celebrated beauties of Matlock,
Chatsworth, and Dovedale, or the Peak.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">All in all Jane could have used several small market towns as her template for "Lambton" but Buxton gives greater scope for novelists due to its link with the 5th Duke of Devonshire. Aside from which, if Mrs. Gardiner's parents were of trade, as was Mr. Gardiner, the chances were they had dealings with Chatsworth, as would tradespeople of Bakewell (either Bakewell or Buxton = Lambton), both places in relative proximity to Chatsworth, barring a closer relationship betwixt Buxton and Chatsworth. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A beautiful Crescent was built within Buxton by the 5th Duke of Devonshire. At the rear was a grand stable complex with a dome. The latter was built to house horses and equipage of the rich whilst the aristocracy who resided within the crescent partook of the Buxton waters, just as many people partook of the waters in fashionable Bath & Cheltenham, and other spa towns. </span><span style="font-size: large; text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;">It was essentially the Bath of the North, at its highest elevation of approx 1,000 feet above sea level</span><span style="font-size: large; text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;">! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Devonshire Dome. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Derby itself is south of the county. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Derby's Georgian heritage is apparent within its architecture!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWd1oQ7Kzygba5r1jxXvXsNOeDHUOQT4cf6EF65i0uDzKNFRMfuVWGgdJLwnC5jQoD1Y2axkVNF86j5VICT7bX6DCAeZUUUwapykyAx1cE6OlnszKu_pK7k8q_PzVSnuTMlgwXc0I8xpVz/s1600/derby+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="446" data-original-width="630" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWd1oQ7Kzygba5r1jxXvXsNOeDHUOQT4cf6EF65i0uDzKNFRMfuVWGgdJLwnC5jQoD1Y2axkVNF86j5VICT7bX6DCAeZUUUwapykyAx1cE6OlnszKu_pK7k8q_PzVSnuTMlgwXc0I8xpVz/s320/derby+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And Matlock through which Jane Austen travelled, and here one can see older architecture mingling with Victorian Gothic. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Needless to say, wherever authors choose to set their JAFF characters, north of the county seems best for P&P, close to Chatsworth and close to High Peak. </span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you wonder why I do larger text it's because many people have said they can't read small or faint text on blogs. So please forgive me if your sight is very good... </span></div>
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Francine Howarthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02326542867876257042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808134950022033579.post-49964625960805777542018-11-11T22:27:00.001+00:002018-12-28T23:30:24.332+00:00Travel in Jane Austen's day! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It's all too easy to imagine travel of yesteryear as a time consuming mediaeval plod, and yet, in some respects travel during</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> the latter half of the 18th century and early 19th </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">was expedient when it came to mail coaches, post-chaises, and private drag companies; the latter who were paid to ply the highways and byways of Georgian Britain on commissioned travel by clients, as did private drags owned by wealthy gentlemen and the aristocracy. Strange as it may seem, many wealthy men thoroughly enjoyed driving their own conveyances equally as well as their coachmen. It was also fashionable to drive curricles (high-top ) or a low-slung Tilney. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">For example, the mail coach runs! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">T</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">ravelling by mail coach from London to Bath, the average time on the road inclusive change of four-in-hand horses every 10-15 miles was 11 hrs. The greatest contributing factor to speed was ostlers at inns, who prided themselves on fast-changeovers of horses, thus the relief team were already harnessed ready to go, and the switch of horses could and was achieved in twelve minutes or less depending on weather conditions. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">From Exeter in Devon to Hyde Park Corner: the travel time of the mail coach was 15 hrs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Private and Post Chaise Horses required two hours of rest per forty miles driven at a more leisurely pace than that of mail coach teams. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Lighter weight chaises with two-in-hand (pair) were capable of matching mail coaches for speed but again required an hour of rest per 20-25 miles depending on terrain.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">There's a bit of a myth on the author circuit teams of horses were for hire to anyone who stopped at any inn (or horse for hire establishment) and wished to change horses and drive onward, hence that statement is factually incorrect unless the owner of said horses was familiar with the person wishing to hire one and that person had credibility. What some inns, and often as not a local smithy (blacksmith/farrier) hired out, were emergency horses with a postilion if a horse had gone lame etc., and that postilion would later return with the horse/s when the conveyance was driven to its destination. Horses were extremely valuable during the time of the Napoleonic wars, and notably in short supply due to acquisition of equines for military service to replace those killed in action or shot when need be. Horse breeders of quality equines tended to be the aristocracy, or those providing horses for the Royal Mail and coaching companies. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">All coaching companies paid dues to keep a string of teams at various coaching inns en route, and canny innkeeper's kept a few spare horses if their inn was located close to a steep hill. Brake horses were ridden to the top of steep hills when coaches were due, and before descending the hill the brake horses were attached to the rear of the coach, the postilion in a position to assist the coachman with extra brake power. Likewise on the same hill ascending, two extra horses were attached to the pole to assist the team and then unhitched on reaching the top, especially important during inclement conditions and snowfall. Some farmsteads offered the same service of brake horses, the times of coaches passing through was pretty much on schedule barring mishaps.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Snippet of earlier history<b>: </b></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The First stagecoach started up in 1610 from Edinburgh to Lieth. During the years of the English Civil War travel by coach averaged 7-8 days from London to Exeter. But as time progressed and Charles II was restored to the throne, more coaching routes were developed and travel times were lessened with better design of coaches and the renowned Flying Machine. In the years 1667-1670 announcements were commonplace:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>"All those wishing to pass from London to Bath (to take the waters) or to any other place on their road, let them repair to the Bell Savage on Ludgate Hill London and the White Lion in Bath, at both places which they may be received in a Stage Coach every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, which performs the whole journey in Three Days (if God permit), and sets forth at five in the Morning.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Passengers to pay One Pound five Shillings each, who are allowed to carry 14 Pounds Weight - for all above to pay the halfpence per Pound." </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Wars involved men travelling the length and breadth of the British Isles and overseas, not least those who became mercenary soldiers in the 30 yrs war, and those who fought in the Spanish, the French, and Dutch wars within the Low Countries on the Continent.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Thus the distance between "Land's End" at the most southern point of England in the far southwest of Cornwall, and to "John o' Groats" at the most northerly aspect of Scotland, represents the whole length of the main island of Great Britain. By road and highway it is 874 miles (1,407 km) betwixt the two and takes modern-day cycling enthusiasts 10 to 14 days; the record for running the route is nine days. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Not all travel by horse was taken along highways! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">A man and horse taking more diverse routes across country via bridleways, drover roads (ravines), and along old Roman roads in the 1800s and early 1900s matched that of the cyclists of today, and with no change of horse en route. Hence the distance between the two extreme ends of the Island of Great Britain could be achieved in less time than imagined in yesteryear Britain. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Pack-horse Drover Bridge</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Although the main Roman roads ceased at the border between England and Scotland (Hadrian's Wall), where old drove roads and bridleways had afforded relative safety for lone travellers, so too the same sense of safety was preferable to riding the main highways with the threat of highwaymen. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Many Drover roads were ancient track-ways traversing north, south, and east across England, and to the far west across Wales. Thus riding these routes across country, and over moorland, saved valuable journey time as opposed to conventional roads and highways. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The same feats on horseback today require long diversions due to modern road systems, many of the original tracks are long since built on, and old Roman roads such as Ermine Street/Dere Street, known today as The Great North Road on which Dick Turpin rode with his famed Black Bess, now lie beneath tarmac. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">This is part of Watling Street (Roman way)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Part of Old Watling Street -</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Part of the Old Foss way </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Of other Roman roads there are many, not least The Foss way (220m), and Watling Street (200m), again great stretches now major modern roads. </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Of famous bridleways-cum-drove roads the most famous is The Ridgeway, an ancient track-way dated pre Roman times stretching longer than 87m, which is merely the wild section running along the Ridge of the Wiltshire and Berkshire Downs, above the famous Uffington White Horse. The Ridgeway remains as a track-way from start to finish. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Although much of a second track-way, the Inkfield Way was built upon in more modern times and all but disappeared within the Home Counties, but in 1972 by slight deviations it was re-connected to The Ridgeway, hence once again providing a route almost as its original route from the Dorset coast to East Anglia. So, all in all, travel for lone riders, even troops of soldiers, much greater distances could and were travelled along the old track-ways than the more conventional routes which traversed town to town, city to city. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Whilst coaching inns provided provisions for travellers, so too, along these old routes were taverns and inns aplenty in small villages. It's quite astonishing to think Oliver Cromwell's great feat of marching his army and <b>heavy cannon</b> from Scotland to Worcester, covering 25 miles a day (1651). This feat is well documented. Whereas his cavalry and foot marched 40-50 miles a day to catch up with and to trail Charles II's Royalist forces from Scotland to Worcester. Charles had a head start of several days, thus the mammoth feat of Cromwell's men, all told, was one of endurance riding and marching, much of it along ancient routes and the great North Road (Dere Street), and thence to engage in battle within less than twelve hours of respite. And, what is more, Cromwell's men won the Battle of Worcester. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Map of Roman Roads traversing England.</span></div>
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Francine Howarthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02326542867876257042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808134950022033579.post-875106230197984472018-10-14T21:08:00.000+01:002019-01-24T11:51:25.477+00:00 Jane Austen Fan Fiction novel<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A Traditional Sweet Regency Jane Austen Fan Fiction Novel -</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">A Pride and Prejudice Sequel.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Believe me, this was hard work and I admire any author who picks up the gauntlet and writes a JAFF novel. </span><span style="font-size: large;">I explain why in the Introduction to the book!</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">~ Nothing is ever quite as one might
imagine ~<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0cm;">The new mistress at Pemberley is quite sure all Darcy’s
friends, and his neighbours, will be keen to make his wife’s acquaintance. But several
weeks later and no callers, who is Belle, and can it be true, Darcy has a
mistress and a love child? As tensions rise and turmoil ensues, the three
married Bennet sisters are reunited at Pemberley and duly set out to unravel
the mystery of Darcy’s past. But when Belle and Bonnie arrive at the house,
Darcy steals the ground from beneath Elizabeth’s feet. Likewise a letter from
Longbourn heralds such favourable news everyone falls utterly speechless: until Lydia
explodes</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0cm;">—</span><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0cm;"> “Heavens above, what a giggle!”</span> </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">I confess I have never aspired to emulate any other author's writing voice (style) and for me this was a fun exercise in writing a Jane Austen Fan Fiction novel which I am of mind has become one of French Farce proportions, and dare I say, it's a modest Homage to some of Jane’s delightful
characters from Pride and Prejudice, characters beloved by readers across the globe so I pray I've not in any way besmirched the names Bennet, Darcy, or Bingley. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I did place this at Amazon as a pre-order copy with a temporary unedited draft whilst the novel was in the hands of my editor, and come the deadline day to upload the edited copy Amazon had a glitch on the system and the previewer was down as well. The problem being the uploads (enacted several times) would not overwrite the draft copy. To cut a long saga short the book went live with the wrong file, and Amazon tech guy couldn't upload the file either. I was advised to unpublish and republish, which I have now done. Typically a reviewer sought to point out the fact it was republished, and assumed it was solely to negate two negative reviews at Amazon com. Well I would have been foolish to lose several reviews, two of which were 5 and one a 4 star on the UK site, and all merely to negate two malicious reviews at Amazon com. Though I will thank the two reviewers, Mrs Darcy and Kindlelover, because every review helps in revealing the "dark side" of those who stalk authors for whatever reason best known to them. Aside from that I have since been granted the Jane Austen Readers' Award. So am a bit chuffed! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Available worldwide at Amazon - e-book, paperback, and Kindle Unlimited: </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mr-Darcys-Mistress-Prejudice-Pemberley-ebook/dp/B07L7RN1ML">Amazon UK</a> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07L7RN1M">Amazon com</a></span></span></div>
Francine Howarthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02326542867876257042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808134950022033579.post-84733471167176972282018-09-06T14:16:00.000+01:002018-12-17T21:41:06.061+00:00A Much maligned Man<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Many times when reading non fiction and supposed biographies by lauded historians and famous authors, I ponder how far they truly researched their subject matter, and why they chose to perpetuate what was writ before as though their own writings are mere carbon copies of former works! Thus I find it incredibly difficult to write on any subject and avoid overwhelming impassioned desire to uncover truths from lies and look at supposed infamy with a detective mindset - after all, it's easy to read others' works and judge which best suits one's ideal of the past and events of the day - in other words - biased leanings in a political sense relevant to self in one's own time as opposed to non partisan leanings, similarly in moral tones. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hence, here I attempt to redeem the reputation of a much maligned man subject to envy of his service in the Dutch regiment of Holland (The Buffs) whilst on campaign with Charles II, and their close covert connection, and why fear within another cabal, namely James II's followers (Catholic conspirators), essentially set out to defame Robert and his cousin Lucy Walter/s by false declarations, scandalous rumours, and falsification of papers/dates/other to prove he was the father of James Duke of Monmouth. But of course, since then DNA samples have proved the Duke of Monmouth was indeed Charles II's son. So was handsome Robert a cad of the first order or a true gentleman and loyal family friend to a much maligned lady cousin? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Robert Sydney (1626-1668) 4th son - 2nd Earl of Leicester</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">buried at Penshurst Place</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Throughout his service in the Low Countries Robert was maligned by leading chroniclers of his day - not least accusations he and his elder brother Algernon had shared the Duke of Monmouth's mother. Robert was also marked as a spy for Cromwell, his brother Algernon a staunch Parliamentarian and true Protestant. Was Robert a double agent, or did that cap fit Col Thomas Howard (Master of the Horse to Mary of Orange) - another wonderful character to place within the hands of a person with a detective mind set, for he too was in Cromwell's pay! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What is never disclosed is the family connection of the Sydney family to Lucy Walter, nor is it ever disclosed that Lucy was a 7th cousin removed from Charles II. Considering John Evelyn's scathing comments about Lucy as "a woman of mean birth" he clearly knew nothing of her family connection to the Howard family (Duke's of Norfolk) via Catherine Howard.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Strange as it may seem, the movements of Lucy Walter and the fact she was in Paris long before she arrived in The Hague never appears in biographies, nor do chroniclers (Evelyn's Diaries) mention Lord Glamorgan (Lucy's uncle) and Mr. Barlow/oe, Lucy's uncle, as taking passage aboard "named" ship that anchored off Jersey to there join with Charles II - thus after the defeat of the King Charles I armies, the Prince of Wales sought shelter first on the Isles of Scilly, then took flight to Jersey April-June 1646. When Charles moved to Paris, Sir Edward Hyde remained on Jersey for two more years, and therefore was not in Paris to witness Lucy and Charles second marriage ceremony, (legal or otherwise and much talk on the event). Rarely is Hyde's residency on Jersey mentioned. In that same year of 1646 Lord Glamorgan was dispatched to Ireland on a second sortie to raise a Catholic Army in support of Charles I (another story).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Nor do official chroniclers record Lucy and Lord Glamorgan when put ashore on Jersey, whilst Mr. Balow/oe of Slebech, Pembrokeshire, proceeded onward to The Hague. A Mr. Barlow disembarked at The Hague with a letter destined for Charles II's sister - Mary of Orange. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Algernon Sydney - (1623-1683) tried for Treason (Rye House Plot)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Algernon was equally maligned as having taken Lucy as his mistress, which according to family writings he never did, but did indeed rescue her during a raid in which he was commander of operations on a house in Devon (Brock House) demolished in the reign of James II post Monmouth Rebellion. Brock House is where Charles II (then Prince of Wales) was hiding prior to sudden flight to the Scilly Isles. Had news not arrived of Parliamentarian forces en route to arrest him, who can say what the result would have been. Someone, but who, had tipped off the royal party? Either way, it was a mad scramble to get out to sea, and Lucy and others were at the house, the owner her uncle, family to her mother. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">All that is official re Parliamentarian Army records, is that Lucy was escorted back to London along with her mother and siblings, whilst others were arrested for harbouring the prince. Bear in mind Lucy already had a brother serving in the Parliamentarian Army - Richard Walter who became High Sheriff of Pembrokeshire during the Interregnum. Lucy never set sail for The Hague - no warrant to travel overseas was ever issued nor a named ship's passage. What she did do was retreat to Wales (Roche Castle) to her father, (did her mother approve?) and once there plans were put into action to get her to Jersey, or perhaps plans were already set in motion. Was it possible Lucy was recruited as a spy for Parliament in the first instance, and could it be, Lucy fell in love with Charles? If the former bears any sense of possibility, was it she who revealed evidence of Colonel Thomas Howard (Master of the Horse to Mary of Orange) as a traitor to the royalist cause - in the pay of Parliament, and was he the mysterious "Walter" sending coded messages to Thurloe? It would account for why he escaped imprisonment when Lucy and Robert Sydney were arrested shortly after her return to London with her two children, even though Col Thomas Howard travelled with them? Which of the two men was sent by Charles to guard Lucy and the children, and why would she and the children be received and treated as royalty by loyal royalists who were covertly raising and providing funds for Charles cause? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But back to Robert - the handsome and dashing blade! He continued to serve in the Low Countries as an English officer of an English regiment after Charles II was restored to the crown 1660. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But come the disbandment of the Regiments in Holland -1665, t</span><span style="font-size: large;">he Dutch authorities decided to honourably discharge the English and Scots troops serving in the regiments and replace </span><span style="font-size: large;">them with Netherlanders. Those Englishmen and Scotsmen who were prepared to swear the oath of allegiance to The Dutch </span><span style="font-size: large;">republic were re-admitted into the regiments. The discharged officers and men were given no assistance from the </span><span style="font-size: large;">English government for their repatriation, which the better off in society could afford inclusive much loved horses. For the others Sir George Downing, British Envoy, paid for their passage to England and </span><span style="font-size: large;">gave them letters of recommendation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The 3 Scots regiments were converted into 3 nominally Dutch regiments and the 4 English regiments were replaced by only </span><span style="font-size: large;">one Dutch regiment. Those English officers who remained in Holland were placed in the 3 former Scots regiments. 'The </span><span style="font-size: large;">States General, on 14th April, ordered that all the transformed English and Scottish companies, now of service within the Netherlands </span><span style="font-size: large;">companies, thus drums would thereafter beat the Holland March on guard mounting, and on all other occasions. The sashes </span><span style="font-size: large;">and badges of the officers were then orange-coloured, similar to those worn by the Dutch officers, and green coats.'</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Charles II's Change of Heart, or should that be shamed by the officers who also assisted common soldiers with transport to home shores! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And so, in 1665 the discharged officers and men began to arrive back in England and the King was more or less advised to reconsider the question of reinstating some or all of the soldiers for</span><span style="font-size: large;"> service to King and Crown. Subsequently, a list was compiled, dated 11th April 1665. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">All in all 17 subalterns arrived </span><span style="font-size: large;">along with officers. Clearly all loyal to the English crown. Thus, on the </span><span style="font-size: large;">20th April a warrant was issued to reinstate said men into the King's pay at a reduced rate, 3 shillings a day for </span><span style="font-size: large;">lieutenants and 2 shillings and sixpence for ensigns. Captains were given 5 shillings a day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Appointment of Col Robert Sydney, 31st May 1665, raised a few eyebrows, but many were unaware of Robert's covert closeness to Charles (spy extraordinaire).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The King had the officers and men formed into a regiment and issued a commission to Colonel Robert Sydney to </span><span style="font-size: large;">be 'Colonell of Our Holland Regiment of Foot, raised or to be raised, for Our service.' </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hardly surprising as Robert Sydney (Sidney), had commanded </span><span style="font-size: large;">one of the English regiments in the Dutch service, and was 4th son of Robert 2nd Earl of Leicester. </span><span style="font-size: large;"> He was as stated a handsome man and many thought due to scurrilous rumours put </span><span style="font-size: large;">about by John Evelyn, Killigrew, James Duke of York and Col Thomas Howard, he was the real father of the Duke of </span><span style="font-size: large;">Monmouth. (The reasons for this assumption were that Robert's mistress was at one time the King's mistresses/wife (?), I'll not venture farther into the rumours because it's a story in itself, and it comes to light a great deal within my English Civil War series of novels - The Royal Series! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In brief it was said Lucy Walter/s (aka Mrs Barlow), and Charles II's son Duke of Monmouth, so closely resembled Robert (Sydney) he must be the father, but the fact most ignored or purposefully attempted to mask, was the truth that Robert and Lucy were cousins! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Aside from which, it is most unlikely Charles II would have asked Robert Sydney to raise a new Hollander regiment, if he </span><span style="font-size: large;">thought for one moment his first born (James Duke of Monmouth) was the other man's child. Nor would Charles have ever </span><span style="font-size: large;">treated the DoM as a prince of the blood, as did - oddly enough - Queen Henrietta Maria, an act neither applied to other of Charles' bastards. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The reinstatement of Holland Regiment, 23rd June 1665</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The official date of the raising of the Holland Regiment for His Majesty's service was the 31st May 1665 the day </span><span style="font-size: large;">Colonel Robert Sydney's commission was confirmed, but the other officers received their commissions 3 weeks later on 23rd June. The 21 </span><span style="font-size: large;">officers included Major Alexander Bruce who was the only officer of the Scots regiments to refuse the oath of allegiance </span><span style="font-size: large;">to the Netherlands. Thus the regiment was fixed at 6 companies of 106 NCOs. Field officers acted as </span><span style="font-size: large;">captains to the first 3 companies. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The 1st Company had Colonel Sydney as </span><span style="font-size: large;">captain, a lieutenant, an ensign, 2 sergeants, 3 corporals, one drummer and 100 private soldiers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The 2nd Company was commanded by Lt-Col Thomas Howard - another spy extraordinaire (double agent) during the ECWs, and Master of </span><span style="font-size: large;">the Horse to Princess Mary, wife/widow Prince William of Nassau. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The 3rd Company by Major Alexander Bruce, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The 4th Company by Capt Sir Thomas Ogle</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The 5th Company by Capt Henry Pomeroy</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The 6th Company by Capt Baptist Alcock</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">All the officers in the regiment had served in the English-Dutch regiments except the surgeon. The very fact all the </span><span style="font-size: large;">officers and the returned men had refused to take the oath in Holland they were in effect out of commission kicking their heels in civvy street. Nonetheless, their loyalty to the </span><span style="font-size: large;">English crown had been proved. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the meanwhile the Duke of York and Albany's Maritime Regiment of Foot (The Lord High </span><span style="font-size: large;">Admiral's Regiment), had been raised the previous autumn. It was decided the Holland Regiment, would primarily </span><span style="font-size: large;">serve at sea as a maritime/land unit - effectively Marines! On the 11th July the cost of these two regiments was ordered to be charged to the Navy. And the Holland </span><span style="font-size: large;">Regiment remained on the naval establishment until May 1667.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">All the above is accumulated research across many years of study into this period in history, a fascinating period of political turbulence, religious intolerance, social change, and last but not least, royal shenanigans involving treachery, jealousy, hatred, revenge, and lust and romance. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">To cite all my sources would entail a list an arms length in respect of 50 yrs of studying history, and still new things come to light as private papers, ecclesiastical and state papers are discovered within national or private archives and placed within the public domain! Though many personal family archives contributed to the writing of The Royal Series. </span><br />
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Francine Howarthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02326542867876257042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808134950022033579.post-19958590157512236192018-08-20T22:49:00.001+01:002018-12-16T11:50:04.349+00:00Jane Austen's Meryton - where was it? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Before I pose the theory Jane Austen did as many authors do today, and indeed shuffled the location of Meryton and Longbourn, thus placing it a county removed, she probably did so out of politesse to relatives and friends. After all, she had numerous connections within Berkshire, not least the Leigh side of the family. She also attended a boarding school in Reading, which was markedly different than Reading of today. She no doubt made friends, some better liked than others, a quite natural consequence of boarding establishments. It was known she was fond of Windsor and Wargrave, and Windsor itself was markedly different in her day. It was much smaller and rural in extremes, aside from the castle, as were other well known market towns and villages once situated outside London and now part of Greater London. Jane was an intrepid traveller as can be seen from reading her letters, and the distance between Reading, Wargrave, and Windsor pretty much traverses Berkshire. So with that in mind, hold that thought... </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This water colour of Jane Austen was painted by her sister, Cassandra. That much we do know!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw_xWEL_9RPnODkP_-fLq-maLUMB1U-km7u9DsaHHSO75iph02RyHobDWhki_0mem9mxwsuJ7Bqg46cv68pBiBooDkjsrC9ZtdcWrlS7N_f3a9i5UOAKc-YcIP-gqW8LIGaxJLEUkndyla/s1600/JaneAustenWatercolour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="287" data-original-width="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw_xWEL_9RPnODkP_-fLq-maLUMB1U-km7u9DsaHHSO75iph02RyHobDWhki_0mem9mxwsuJ7Bqg46cv68pBiBooDkjsrC9ZtdcWrlS7N_f3a9i5UOAKc-YcIP-gqW8LIGaxJLEUkndyla/s1600/JaneAustenWatercolour.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But, there are several portraits purportedly that of Jane Austen, and not one of those portraits can truly be verified with absolute surety they are that of Jane Austen. I suppose desire to see the lady's face probably inspired artists to create impressions from descriptions, and while it may seem odd to us that there is no definitive record or extensive collection of Austen family portraits thus depicting Jane and Cassandra, one has to remember portraits were jolly expensive items in her day. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Nonetheless she has become the most admired lady authoress of contemporary fiction - yes contemporary novels set within, and penned within her own lifetime. One can only ponder what</span><span style="font-size: large;"> Jane would have felt if she had become as popular in her own lifetime as has been her latter literary fortune since the mid 20th century and now into the 21st century, therefore, does not the word "ecstatic" leap to mind? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Press images to see full size.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLSfVSCVJz4pZ3d3v0-QrdG6-SG9-WxtcJ5BdmIW2vQ6rn6OdJpD6q4D-TJVJiZ213DSRKu1p5PqLWjsIEVGO9lDlcodcuJBTN0K2bXqfO1pyI0_7ZSqZSza5P8XNeeoeZmMlwOXZAN73h/s1600/lambournplace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="335" data-original-width="499" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLSfVSCVJz4pZ3d3v0-QrdG6-SG9-WxtcJ5BdmIW2vQ6rn6OdJpD6q4D-TJVJiZ213DSRKu1p5PqLWjsIEVGO9lDlcodcuJBTN0K2bXqfO1pyI0_7ZSqZSza5P8XNeeoeZmMlwOXZAN73h/s320/lambournplace.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The original Lambourne House had Stuart connections - so what did Jane think of it? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now to the teaser questions that have puzzled Jane Austen fans for simply ages:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">a) where is Meryton and where is Longbourn situated? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">b) was it wholly fictional, or did such a place exist in her time? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">c) did she change the name to disguise the places mentioned</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUWoKZhiQEnTHIcD00RHt38_IBfjtpf568w4QFl4tTHUOp23YwZlUWKY7vhZjgEOSDGeg1Hf1ADe8OIH99u0cYcli-hwzwUEZdFDci17cj5zKeGtCEx7d59C7iGfyJj46CfQ2A-mV9WtGX/s1600/batheaston-villa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="487" data-original-width="799" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUWoKZhiQEnTHIcD00RHt38_IBfjtpf568w4QFl4tTHUOp23YwZlUWKY7vhZjgEOSDGeg1Hf1ADe8OIH99u0cYcli-hwzwUEZdFDci17cj5zKeGtCEx7d59C7iGfyJj46CfQ2A-mV9WtGX/s320/batheaston-villa.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is a house once situated near Bath but no longer exists, and it was two counties distant to Berkshire, but Jane probably looked upon it with some regularity when passing by on her way to or from Bath. So much of old England is gone, the landscape changed from the days of the Georgian period, but as authors today search for houses and interiors suitable for depicting the lifestyle of fictional characters, Jane probably utilised those of which she was already familiar, or those she could only admire from a distance but readily suited to her fictional families. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Rather than beat round bushes and lengthen suspension, or mayhap stir disbelief, I'll come out and say it, for I believe she pulled the same stunt as I do within my novels. by locating houses in differing places and changing the names. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Is it not likely Jane Austen swapped the setting of Longbourn from Berkshire to Hertfordshire, thus she protected the occupants of the house she had used as inspiration for Longbourn. She had family connections within Berkshire, knew it extremely well. Perhaps mini anagrams exist and one day a clever person will unravel a puzzle Jane posed as a teaser game - find Meryton you'll discover Longbourn, or vice versa. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Windsor was estimated at 24 miles + from London in Jane's time , and </span><span style="font-size: large; text-align: justify;">Jane was not only acquainted with Windsor (fond of it and the castle), she had resided in Reading as a boarder (school), and stayed in Wargrave, all three places on several main coaching routes to Bath, Gloucester, and Holyhead. Her family connections in the county cannot be denied. Aside from which, numerous country houses and estate parkland she would have seen and probably paid visit to on occasion, many vanished (demolished) to make way for modern rebuilds or municipal housing in later times, plus modern post WWII housing estates were built in and around original parkland and grounds of former glorious houses, often the original estate's name then utilised for road names in like to example: Manor Hill Drive, Manor Hill Crescent, Manor Hill Terrace. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; text-align: justify;">Add the extra snippets, how at fifteen years of age she wrote an account of history. It was a tad satirical and amusing, but she revealed a great and abiding interest and affection for the Stuarts - Mary Queen of Scots to Charles I and presumably to the remainder of the Stuart era. Could she therefore be deemed a Royalist sympathiser or was her interest nothing more than general observance of those troubling times? We shall never know, but the tragedy of the French Revolution and the guillotine impacted on the Austen's in a personal sense. And her immediate family were later affected by the Napoleonic wars as were no doubt others of her acquaintance and theirs. No wonder then she chose to pen escapist writing, of a lighthearted and amusing bent, not only to escape the dreadful realities of the war dead and the returning wounded, there was always the constant fear great loss could befall the family all over again. </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Might that sense of knowing Berkshire too well set Jane to sage thought of exchanging one county for another? Could it be Meryton and Longbourn reflect places she knew within Berkshire? No one can know for sure, but it adds a new dimension in the search for both places, and perhaps a county distant for the fictional setting eased her conscience in writing of places she knew inside and out! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Goodnestone Park Manor, Kent, the very house and family Jane Austen's brother married into. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's another thought on Rosings and Pemberley, for Goodnestone Park Manor House was built in 1704 by Brook Bridges. It is accepted as fact the house build was started in 1704 because a brick on the main front declares it thus. We also know from early paintings there were extensive formal gardens, which were redesigned in the 19th century when Sir Brook Bridges, the 3rd baronet and great-grandson of the builder, replaced the gardens with a landscape parkland setting in the fashion of the time, later turned back to smaller contained gardens. He married Fanny Fowler, co-heiress of the ancient Norman barony of FitzWalter, though it was much depleted by the 19th century. In earlier times a Fitzwalter was one of the men who forced King John to sign the Magna Carta in 1215. The FitzWalters were renowned as courtiers (politicians too) and became Earls of Sussex with many cadet branches of the family. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">But back to J. Austen, for Brook and Fanny's daughter, Elizabeth, married Edward Austen, Jane Austen's brother, thus the pair's early married life was conducted at Goodnestone estate within the family fold until they removed to nearby Godmersham Park. There is a strange circumstance related to Edward Austen, for why did the Knight family adopt Edward from the Austen's and to later inherit the estate he had to change his name to Austen-Knight. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Needless to say, Jane was a regular guest at Goodnestone in the early days of her brother's marriage. A significant factor therefore is that Jane began writing her first novel, Pride and Prejudice, immediately after staying at Goodnestone Park in 1796.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">She probably knew Brook Bridges (extremely wealthy) had bankrolled the marriage to Fanny by loans afforded to the ailing Fitzwalter estate. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And of course Darcy's mother, Lady Anne Darcy and her sister Lady Catherine de Bourgh, were "Fitzwilliams"! We know the fictional Fitzwilliam (colonel Fitzwilliam) and the earldom had fallen short in monetary quarters, i.e. the estate was run down as was the Fitzwalter estate. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hence Jane, again, no doubt set Pemberley in Derbyshire to allay any connection with houses she was indeed familiar. Added to which she does indeed say Elizabeth and the Gardiners ventured to great houses of Derbyshire, not least that of Chatsworth.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The truth of the matter, it's a little sad how TV dramas and Movies have effectively provided Mr. Darcy with houses he could only dream of. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Duke of Devonshire's income was £35,000 from his estate at Chatsworth, copper mines and coal mines. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizk0pXb9Iz-pyc_WCP2r7la3nF5LXx3ttg5oeu7RGIXgSotKCeIpQwVa4csfsLgBKh__lsSSBgheFuSMUw744Rflon9KpZvvZoLFYyjVfbzl5VRWzyMxstewX9_iLQ-vP1mfSFYQnZ643G/s1600/Chatsworth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="767" data-original-width="1600" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizk0pXb9Iz-pyc_WCP2r7la3nF5LXx3ttg5oeu7RGIXgSotKCeIpQwVa4csfsLgBKh__lsSSBgheFuSMUw744Rflon9KpZvvZoLFYyjVfbzl5VRWzyMxstewX9_iLQ-vP1mfSFYQnZ643G/s320/Chatsworth.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Chatsworth.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Dyrham Park too provided an income of 20, 000 + from 250 acres and business interests. Twice Darcy's income. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJo__MB3FuClIWxVjI9C8VmuTPSqdeq_7fPOp5WYE31hP8ZoYmPSqANaSEBx2tHLItwlhu9syOM9sBj6b5aD_ZLbMSU3b_6xxNNxc5djr15NyHhaYB1fGMofFztKKeJ3NHZw1b0_A7pzQ/s1600/dyrhampark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="412" data-original-width="550" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJo__MB3FuClIWxVjI9C8VmuTPSqdeq_7fPOp5WYE31hP8ZoYmPSqANaSEBx2tHLItwlhu9syOM9sBj6b5aD_ZLbMSU3b_6xxNNxc5djr15NyHhaYB1fGMofFztKKeJ3NHZw1b0_A7pzQ/s320/dyrhampark.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Dyrham Park</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Both Chatsworth and Dyrham are almost as large as Blenheim Palace, the seat of the Duke's of Marlborough, and all well in excess of Darcy's Regency era income.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiizYW5tqK0DRLrX6kdS1iyPTAO79vl6OZCmIADmcsTdeq54a8KZVGOI0IDE3u6zSHQHOEbGAtNcyaBupdlcjMEo7VuUBuUvocgakb8rZ-O2C_byPcis4M-6fo6GCCKD8O04voDQjVsFqJ5/s1600/blenheim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="680" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiizYW5tqK0DRLrX6kdS1iyPTAO79vl6OZCmIADmcsTdeq54a8KZVGOI0IDE3u6zSHQHOEbGAtNcyaBupdlcjMEo7VuUBuUvocgakb8rZ-O2C_byPcis4M-6fo6GCCKD8O04voDQjVsFqJ5/s320/blenheim.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Blenheim Palace. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Food for thought, what say you, in how Jane Austen rarely if ever ventures to great detail on houses and fashions etc., and here's a little teaser: </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Jane began writing Pride and Prejudice in 1796 and it was first published in 1813. It is said PP is set in 1812, so did the publisher, as they're of wont today, suggest she update it to a later time-frame, because it was completed long before its publication day. Remember Jane lived through the years of the French Revolution 1789-1799.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: x-large; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;">After all, two of her brothers were naval officers and both were involved in action at sea. Jane had a cousin, the Comtesse Elizabeth de Feullide, Elizabeth sought sanctuary back in the family fold when her husband the Compte went to the guillotine. Elizabeth later married Henry Austen, and no doubt this is why Jane sought escape from the horrors of reality. In retrospect her novels are not a true depiction of her day despite her social awareness and collective impressions of wealth Vs poverty and bettering one's prospects. She did indeed gloss and paint a picture of rural delights with happy carefree picnics, soirees and much dancing as though the country was not at war with France and in 1812, America. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
Francine Howarthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02326542867876257042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808134950022033579.post-32981994744737855612018-08-20T14:13:00.000+01:002018-08-20T16:52:40.741+01:00Knowing the French nobility and aristocracy!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFAkV-W_6RwK7zxP2kdpoetc18BgZNzW2ughIcEbie57dBGbiqCwWPkCza3NkavF0zEzOJZmibNfNysWpaUDmoI1oser8QFyTCJfPMz2lGgATm328uzdqen9yPSF4RtgKrUy676dMFnAd-/s1600/Louis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="534" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFAkV-W_6RwK7zxP2kdpoetc18BgZNzW2ughIcEbie57dBGbiqCwWPkCza3NkavF0zEzOJZmibNfNysWpaUDmoI1oser8QFyTCJfPMz2lGgATm328uzdqen9yPSF4RtgKrUy676dMFnAd-/s320/Louis.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Louis XIV - The Sun King</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">With recent TV series' and movies
depicting the differing reigns at the French Court, from the action adventures
of The Three Musketeers, the Palace of the Louvre, other, to the glories of Versailles,
all have graced our screens from the reign of Louis XIV’s father, to
the sun king himself. We've thrilled and chilled to the realities of ambitious courtiers to the blood curdling reality of the French
Revolution and the Napoleonic era. Thus novels with French settings are becoming
popular within the historical romance genre. But, when writing historical
romance novels set within France, whether in the feudal 13<sup>th</sup> century,
the years of Louis XIV (the sun king), or later post French Revolution, there
are aspects of the aristocracy across the centuries that has changed, as did the hierarchy
of the nobles. Even knowing the difference between “Noblesse militaire” (of the
Sword – granted for military prowess) and “Noblesse d’<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">é</span>p<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">é</span>e”
(of the Robe – granted for service or relationship to the royal household) is
vital in depiction of an aristocratic family. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikDsS4Y2-NYAK5I8jLT_QIIkAJjulvAz4q3XZ2djb_Gzlbi0inyLONZ37QKneXD1Yfy3qekws7YDk1y8W0dM0SoxxTmwf1L6ZThV9dsPTMfvBH7vCT01dC7ui7MpFefB9_0QhTeMNaapdg/s1600/versailles-louis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="645" data-original-width="968" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikDsS4Y2-NYAK5I8jLT_QIIkAJjulvAz4q3XZ2djb_Gzlbi0inyLONZ37QKneXD1Yfy3qekws7YDk1y8W0dM0SoxxTmwf1L6ZThV9dsPTMfvBH7vCT01dC7ui7MpFefB9_0QhTeMNaapdg/s320/versailles-louis.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;">
<o:p><span style="font-size: large;">Versailles the Series. </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;">
<o:p><span style="font-size: large;">The king, and his brother, Monsieur le duc d'Orleans. </span></o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;">In short, it helps to know one’s
history, and helps even more in understanding the French aristocracy and it’s
lineage, so in summary: </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Titles
in the French aristocracy</b>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">duc (duke)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;">marquis (marquis)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;">comte (earl)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;">vicomte (viscount)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;">baron (baron)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Chevalier (knight)and écuyer (rider)
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>were not titles. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;">They were merely ranks within the lower
realms of the nobility, with a few exceptions, namely members of the knighthood
of the king. All lesser noblemen no matter how recent in elevation to noble
status were referred to as écuyer (rider).</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid5u1BQ4jCK-6CGQvfRhrNj8a8SgEZFA_VsdPIyOtYImWl2J8vnEVZnht6p7Zx1FoxMC0J4k1R_B4IfdELJ8r-CshkD8Gg5x7ATeFs6mM6_0Lok0xqkNvDQBAVHn5mn6oJr9Ge04jFOW9j/s1600/Chevalier-de-Lorraine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid5u1BQ4jCK-6CGQvfRhrNj8a8SgEZFA_VsdPIyOtYImWl2J8vnEVZnht6p7Zx1FoxMC0J4k1R_B4IfdELJ8r-CshkD8Gg5x7ATeFs6mM6_0Lok0xqkNvDQBAVHn5mn6oJr9Ge04jFOW9j/s320/Chevalier-de-Lorraine.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Chevalier de Lorraine</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A popular character in the series Versailles. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The definition of a chevalier, in
legal terms, was unclear for centuries. For some it was a matter of ancestry or
a matter of eminence. It was found that legal documents, those whose nobility
traced to 1410 or earlier – they were referred to as haut et puissant seigneur,
while those whose families were connected by marriage to the royal house were
très haut et très puissant seigneur. But, by Louis XIV the sun king’s reign, after
the Baron’s Revolt, Noblesse militaire was considered of lesser nobility by the
Noblesse d’<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">é</span>p<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">é</span>e - the latter with
secure royal ties, either by blood or by marriage to members of the royal
household.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It is worth noting "chevalier"
was also used to refer to French Knights within the “Order of Saint John” (Order
of Malta) as well as those within the French royal court: the use of the term
makes it similar to a title such as monsieur le chevalier d'Lorraine - though not
so; for it simply indicated membership in such an order, in general for younger
sons of the nobility.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Lord (seigneur) was not a title, either. A lordship could be
that of mere commoner and owner of land and property, inclusive tenanted
property holdings. The term "lord" in the feudal system was a mixture
of actual real estate and rights over people - rents and fees collected from
them, certain obligations could be imposed on them. All lordships and the majority
of aristocratic titles were abolished in 1789, until Napoleon became emperor and
established a new common realm of aristocracy befitting his reign.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Forms
of address at the French court of Louis XIV</b> -when the “Church of France”
came to fruition by Louis’ edict and his rebellion against the Vatican, thus<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>the old feudal Seigneur of the former
barons and knights was dropped in favour of Monsieur by aristocrats seeking
closer favour with Louis. It was a direct kickback at the Holy Roman Church.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Monsieur le duc (duke)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Monsieur le marquis (marquis)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Monsieur le comte (earl)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Monsieur le vicomte (viscount)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Monsieur le baron (baron)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Monsieur le Chevalier (knight)</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Forms
of Address Prior to Louis XIV<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Seigneur .........</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As would be expected each fief,
landed title bore more weight than mere lordly title in the days of the old
barons: large or small. And yet, post the Baron’s Revolt, many great châteaux
and the occasional castle soon fell into disrepair when they were not sequestered
by the crown and awarded to newly titled favourites of the French court. But as
courtiers were expected to reside within the walls of Versailles and attend
upon the king – as and when, often their estates were badly neglected or merely
mothballed within the hands of trusted retainers and a handful of minions.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Francine Howarthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02326542867876257042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808134950022033579.post-67356788069496479192018-07-20T12:12:00.000+01:002018-07-28T14:55:14.886+01:00Latest Release set during the City of Bath's Georgian Creation! <div class="separator" style="background-color: #c3c3c3; clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">A little about my latest release! It's a novel I have become very fond of due to an ancestor of Francis Cavendish's, who held a special place in my heart when writing a series of novels set within the English Civil Wars. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #ff418b; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5tibqf-2kF3xA9av7UZ0um1iB9W9NfgrD5MFAz0HYhDKPt0V2iElW5Ro7X_oQ43VAap4zkLiUsuWYMZQbeSe0zmiPNmHE6HUD2VIZABIUTAtPyjt1CgFS7wgRZ8e9bFV2ZB0aIuPUGM1y/s1600/Francis23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #ff418b; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1146" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5tibqf-2kF3xA9av7UZ0um1iB9W9NfgrD5MFAz0HYhDKPt0V2iElW5Ro7X_oQ43VAap4zkLiUsuWYMZQbeSe0zmiPNmHE6HUD2VIZABIUTAtPyjt1CgFS7wgRZ8e9bFV2ZB0aIuPUGM1y/s320/Francis23.jpg" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(241, 241, 241); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="229" /></a></span></div>
<div style="background-color: #c3c3c3; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: #c3c3c3; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">This is Francis Cavendish the hero! </span></div>
<div style="background-color: #c3c3c3; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">He was 18 yrs and newly returned from War when his portrait was painted. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: #c3c3c3; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">There is a heavily masked element within this image, and Francis is fortunate that men indeed wear facial powder (some theatrical paste) as well as powdered wigs in his lifetime. But when he rebels and sheds his false appearance reality strikes a cruel blow, at a time when vanity and perfection all things were uppermost. Thus h</span><span style="font-size: medium;">is story begins when he's in his twenties and deep-seated hurt caused by one woman's cruel words haunt him, until he encounters Cassandra Brooke-Lavery. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: #c3c3c3; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Whilst the Georgian era itself is looked upon as glorious period in history, in which ladies wore beautiful gowns, and gentlemen equally wore flamboyant attire, it was also a time of industrious architectural energy with the revival of great and ambitious building projects not seen since earlier times in Stuart England, when the rebuilding of London after the Great Fire of London was set out with plans Charles II approved with fervour. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: #c3c3c3; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: #c3c3c3; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">But, if one looks at houses built during the Stuart era, the resemblance of many Stately Homes such as Blenheim Palace, Wilton House, and others, one can see reflections of those builds within the Georgian facades of Bath, Brighton, Cheltenham, and even Clifton in Bristol.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Whilst Francis holds no title and is no architect, he's descended from a long line of Bristol Merchant Venturers (Mountjoy and Thornton's) and that of an earldom within earlier English Civil War novels of mine featuring the Earl of Loxton. Francis has inherited a vast fortune and becomes an investor, a young man with idealistic views as to what the City of Bath will become with vast crescents, and glorious town houses. But his life is marred with personal unhappiness until by chance he makes the acquaintance of Cassandra. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Book Blurb:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">... “No one, absolutely no one will dare disturb us, unless the house catches fire”...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium; text-indent: 0cm;">Cassandra never envisaged a week in the countryside with her cousin would lead to childish mischief. The prospect of the village stocks looms when they are caught trespassing within a grand country house. However, the law is the law, and the price of freedom in Cassandra’s case proves more costly than imagined, for she loses her heart to the very man whose portrait Sarah had fallen in love with, the man Sarah insists she will tempt and seduce at will. Cassandra’s release from custody by the man himself fuels jealousy and rivalry between her and Sarah. But when shocking revelations of a scandalous affair and illicit passions set precedence for a hasty elopement, stunned by it all, Cassandra discovers passionate asides can lead to true love and romance in the strangest of circumstance.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">I hope and pray readers will enjoy this story for what it is - a touch of real-time history in the making and a touching love story! It's in paperback as well as e-book format. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DGZQ8BR" style="color: #ff418b; text-decoration-line: none;">Amazon US</a> <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07DGZQ8BR" style="color: #ff418b; text-decoration-line: none;">Amazon UK</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">See my article post - <a href="https://francinehowarth.blogspot.com/2018/06/the-creation-of-georgian-bath.html">The Building of Georgian Bath.</a></span></div>
Francine Howarthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02326542867876257042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808134950022033579.post-15444833122793859602018-06-05T22:19:00.000+01:002019-11-12T14:56:10.147+00:00The Creation of Georgian Bath!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid2JLHsgfsSKqDN_Fv6PZiHhtpF5fNVZlJo7TedB0N2o-7h9uAN3HtXqjdHIq5i9HATEyxmW48rBoTq4sS_O2OcEhwJ9oWIETfLHKU0oWMk0K5lE4HOgji9Z_0J8UJ6jhxaWmGfxK9OnuJ/s1600/bathc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="691" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid2JLHsgfsSKqDN_Fv6PZiHhtpF5fNVZlJo7TedB0N2o-7h9uAN3HtXqjdHIq5i9HATEyxmW48rBoTq4sS_O2OcEhwJ9oWIETfLHKU0oWMk0K5lE4HOgji9Z_0J8UJ6jhxaWmGfxK9OnuJ/s320/bathc.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is the City in which Jane Austen removed to from Hampshire, at a time in her life when the realities of renting property and feeding a household required a frugal existence. She related her findings of hardship within Sense and Sensibility, though her existence as a Parson's daughter was in stark contrast to that of the Dashwood's fall from the grand lifestyle of a vast country estate to the meagre confines of a little cottage in Devon. Nonetheless, rent paid for a house in Bath and no land on which to grow meat or produce for the house, monies soon fell short in Jane's life. Later, from her letters, we see she relied more and more on family charity and thereby a roof over her head, thus she moved from one residence to another with a great deal of regularity. There is a strange circumstance too, which is rarely spoken of - why did the Austen children live elsewhere rather than within the family house. Why did the Knight family adopt Edward? It was common practice in Jane Austen's time and long before and you can read why <a href="https://janeaustensworld.wordpress.com/2010/05/27/the-conservation-of-edward-austen-knights-childhood-suit-chawton-house-library/">here</a>. Cassandra too lived away a great deal, residing with family and the family her brother married into, hence numerous letters betwixt Jane and Cassandra. Read Jane's letters in Diedre le Faye's <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jane-Austens-Letters-Deirdre-Faye/dp/0198704496">book</a> compilation of Jane Austen's Letters. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The City of Bath, set within the Vale of Avon, and within the County of Somerset, has long been looked upon as the Georgian City of Bath. And ever since Jane Austen lived there, albeit for a short while, few people realise her preference lay with Bristol, Clifton, in particular. Why might that be? If you've been to, or know Clifton, the answer lies in its elevation and the views which were spectacular in her day. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjPQkt3o2HUKHFsIQGhfJy6QxTROoV4wmVZ6O5GRlVmEIjwpl0Ku38dgNtdORwfaBIUX5IUPAdIN5VF4a_VTibJeC0POzfWqgbAE6_jTgn2Z4RAlHUtfUIwBEykbS2p8IVdwsTu0zi4lww/s1600/Bristol+Leigh+Court.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1020" data-original-width="1385" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjPQkt3o2HUKHFsIQGhfJy6QxTROoV4wmVZ6O5GRlVmEIjwpl0Ku38dgNtdORwfaBIUX5IUPAdIN5VF4a_VTibJeC0POzfWqgbAE6_jTgn2Z4RAlHUtfUIwBEykbS2p8IVdwsTu0zi4lww/s320/Bristol+Leigh+Court.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">View from Clifton before the grand terraces and crescents of Georgian Bristol were built. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">From Clifton she looked out across Bristol and the surrounding countryside to the River Avon below, and to the River Severn and the Bristol Channel (tidal waters) running betwixt the West Country and Wales. Clifton was quite unlike Bath, or the old City of Bristol. Although both city centres are set down in a basin surrounded by hills, quite small in modern terms, and at one time consisting of mediaeval buildings. Bristol had the advantage as the second most important sea port in England during the 16th-17th centuries, it was fought over time and time again throughout the years of the English Civil Wars (1642-1649), but as with other great sea ports, such as Plymouth, in the days of Sir Francis Drake, other ports gradually took precedence with shifting fortunes, political and military necessities of war with Napoleon. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sadly, in the height of the slave trade Bristol became blighted with a bad reputation for harbouring slavers. Hence as the abolition movement increased in momentum and focus centred on Bristol port in the late 1700s, slavers sought other ports and moved ships up north and to London with wares brought back from the West Indies to disguise their other trade. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bristol port was originally in the heart of the city, long since built on and all but disappeared barring a few remnants of the port, and the new port lies farther out on the Western edge of the city.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQPuw34b70zd7KjfPRV6sLxTBjG4IGjWpjKg4DPyGRuNSB-ftEWsIhKF5JnGuCB0OfEB_Xva4Zfm9YpoYacEBpZ9xN8OJW9JzCJ-ieAfbsr3hNuB4aQ7t9Od3uqjjv_J15_OVwq7tOQBtf/s1600/Bristol_Harbour_%2528St_Stephen%2527s_Church%252C_St_Augustine_the_Less_Church%252C_Bristol_Cathedral%2529%252C_BRO_Picbox-7-PBA-22%252C_1250x1250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="875" data-original-width="1250" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQPuw34b70zd7KjfPRV6sLxTBjG4IGjWpjKg4DPyGRuNSB-ftEWsIhKF5JnGuCB0OfEB_Xva4Zfm9YpoYacEBpZ9xN8OJW9JzCJ-ieAfbsr3hNuB4aQ7t9Od3uqjjv_J15_OVwq7tOQBtf/s320/Bristol_Harbour_%2528St_Stephen%2527s_Church%252C_St_Augustine_the_Less_Church%252C_Bristol_Cathedral%2529%252C_BRO_Picbox-7-PBA-22%252C_1250x1250.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bristol Harbour in the 1700s. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The building of Georgian Bath began with the building of Milsom Street and other in 1762, instigated by Thomas Lightholder. The majority of the buildings were grand town houses incorporating existing detached properties, and it quickly became a commercial street when a bank took up residence followed by goldsmiths, modistes, tailors, et al. Bath was beginning towards a hub of social activity associated with the taking of the waters at the hot springs of the Roman Baths. Thus, Pulteney Bridge was completed in 1774, and likewise Great Pulteney Street and Laura Place became desirable residences. Before all that bridges were far lesser and required a little forethought in which route to take from Keynsham bridge to old bridge in bath, the same in coming from London to Bath, and schooners actually navigated upstream to Bath from Bristol on high tide. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqbMKx08VmsoG3ViKtdbn5eOZeT1hfkhIYy9gFh09jtwolS5SsuQ6mWNPPJKRO33AjEzJnZu7anA26-aP8CLKKpXySYnDnMfzAJq9GTfxJRQf4GPXvS2BB24NOdXcSTW5rfwl8nRZnr1eZ/s1600/oldbridge+bath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="800" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqbMKx08VmsoG3ViKtdbn5eOZeT1hfkhIYy9gFh09jtwolS5SsuQ6mWNPPJKRO33AjEzJnZu7anA26-aP8CLKKpXySYnDnMfzAJq9GTfxJRQf4GPXvS2BB24NOdXcSTW5rfwl8nRZnr1eZ/s320/oldbridge+bath.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Old Bridge Bath. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Earlier John Wood the elder (architect) had a grand visions for new build projects. He leased large tracts of land beyond the old city walls - his plan included Queen Square, the Parades, the Circus and other great ventures. His perception involved the grandeur of palaces combined with the practicality of mini mansions as private houses. Similar to today's builds, plots were individually leased to builders & tradesmen, all able to cater for tenants of differing purses, but each build was subject to Wood's façades of uniform Georgian splendour. His grand plans were created with the visions of Palladian grandeur, not altogether new within England, for similar could be seen with vast country estates such as Blenheim Palace, the Duke of Marlborough's grand house completed in <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">1722, and of course,</span> the Duke of Devonshire's country estate Chatsworth, the new build which began in <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">1687</span>, though both have Stuart influence as well. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK3LCCakq6Sc78Au-c3YN4uBOeZV22armWTXaXzzlyc-rVDLh1F18ZrckdKwFIEG9kaTw4y4vuCdVRzY4H5FiRtcN8AnwSkG7xgQalCPps3vtDdJfFhYGjZgpGUxTP4YD8hoHgkIrEGu_i/s1600/0230+Pultney-Bridge1805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="937" data-original-width="1280" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK3LCCakq6Sc78Au-c3YN4uBOeZV22armWTXaXzzlyc-rVDLh1F18ZrckdKwFIEG9kaTw4y4vuCdVRzY4H5FiRtcN8AnwSkG7xgQalCPps3vtDdJfFhYGjZgpGUxTP4YD8hoHgkIrEGu_i/s320/0230+Pultney-Bridge1805.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Two images of Pulteney Bridge to show how beautiful it was during the late 1700s</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In both pictures one can see the original diagonal weir, not the modern weir of today that was built in the 20th century. At either side/end of the weir stood two grain mills!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi72zTMvimWbrE2qm2HDFzGXRxSNpFbPe5-TV2AibzUf0XguPMxeV-kmYpBjbofWd1IFdnEGqP-bNehZIniJalyOjYZlv4Dq6aJFWODw00tEVjGX6_mhNMmfCjlHnNply2WD1_m3NWjfU7Q/s1600/weir.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="799" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi72zTMvimWbrE2qm2HDFzGXRxSNpFbPe5-TV2AibzUf0XguPMxeV-kmYpBjbofWd1IFdnEGqP-bNehZIniJalyOjYZlv4Dq6aJFWODw00tEVjGX6_mhNMmfCjlHnNply2WD1_m3NWjfU7Q/s320/weir.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One of the first Crescents to be built was The Royal Crescent and later, Lansdown Crescent (upper edge of pic in the distance) - note the boats on the Avon.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBVLDRmHWqgfoRONfmIUZOS1XEy51f1FZZKHulNkJbns7JV5klU5X57EuabE5hw3dfk49BkAYBWkhUFqoK2kGNA01pfc-CuwtSXtiv8Rs-YhfSWo6JS-3Lvz1ydi2BnS5jaguEWOC5y3xk/s1600/Lansdown+Crescent.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="962" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBVLDRmHWqgfoRONfmIUZOS1XEy51f1FZZKHulNkJbns7JV5klU5X57EuabE5hw3dfk49BkAYBWkhUFqoK2kGNA01pfc-CuwtSXtiv8Rs-YhfSWo6JS-3Lvz1ydi2BnS5jaguEWOC5y3xk/s320/Lansdown+Crescent.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another view of Lansdown Crescent.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY705RhQu2cGnKi0-DKxyxXvQRCeEAl1GE122oOqPYNMfS01Zxcuv0e5-j5VFm8ZokKK4wx6OaECz7Bdh3CS0S3JyCxhRxsvpBeLvO7JxrFxQR4FvnRZuofLrsfRthPnDz-UitqCQ29IEd/s1600/lansdowncrescent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="378" data-original-width="550" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY705RhQu2cGnKi0-DKxyxXvQRCeEAl1GE122oOqPYNMfS01Zxcuv0e5-j5VFm8ZokKK4wx6OaECz7Bdh3CS0S3JyCxhRxsvpBeLvO7JxrFxQR4FvnRZuofLrsfRthPnDz-UitqCQ29IEd/s320/lansdowncrescent.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And here we have the Royal Crescent - originally known only as The Crescent. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsOvB8nj3HTBmVvn-dwOyMoUrmhS-NY47oAJGCQgq7zidhPHEOtH7iIJzU8_Y4nKX7XxqlVp8zUPL8PcIWbfQcH4qq8CWlR5NQvndhCeleXucPzyCiOwuwJtpL7R3X_wH32P6P5uOQbkI5/s1600/Royal+Crescent.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="374" data-original-width="884" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsOvB8nj3HTBmVvn-dwOyMoUrmhS-NY47oAJGCQgq7zidhPHEOtH7iIJzU8_Y4nKX7XxqlVp8zUPL8PcIWbfQcH4qq8CWlR5NQvndhCeleXucPzyCiOwuwJtpL7R3X_wH32P6P5uOQbkI5/s320/Royal+Crescent.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Second perspective of the RC. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXRyRhP3qRtWwX1ST0c5t7tLWqw_FjvX7MnCo8MBFtsGvIS1TPIxDqsEQ_WRNo6BGx500abi6sQRI5Oc8i1eeKSOjSwQi2W_m_2jWBzyQfmqqydZcSdWvKGGm2fPJLtfdw4Dx3Z0uV2vMn/s1600/Royal+Cres.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="995" data-original-width="1280" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXRyRhP3qRtWwX1ST0c5t7tLWqw_FjvX7MnCo8MBFtsGvIS1TPIxDqsEQ_WRNo6BGx500abi6sQRI5Oc8i1eeKSOjSwQi2W_m_2jWBzyQfmqqydZcSdWvKGGm2fPJLtfdw4Dx3Z0uV2vMn/s320/Royal+Cres.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And of course, as authors, we have to remember only the Lower Assembly rooms existed in the early part of Georgian Bath along with the original Pump Room.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNHW4X9j22E7NtVj2slbgo7Zat9izF5LegMlFlworHzyvheziFcgJYOGZdhAlty_jqii9qnHP8pxJursAC7A5T5s9obcVM8u1mX2FO792-v3z6OUq7ci37hYhcN0YQ9NmFSk3I3Z0l2Jf6/s1600/lower-assembly-roomsbath-abbey-terrace-walk-benjamin-morris-late-18th-c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="359" data-original-width="548" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNHW4X9j22E7NtVj2slbgo7Zat9izF5LegMlFlworHzyvheziFcgJYOGZdhAlty_jqii9qnHP8pxJursAC7A5T5s9obcVM8u1mX2FO792-v3z6OUq7ci37hYhcN0YQ9NmFSk3I3Z0l2Jf6/s320/lower-assembly-roomsbath-abbey-terrace-walk-benjamin-morris-late-18th-c.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lower Assembly Rooms with Harrison's Walks (Gardens) Now part of the Parade, since the lower assembly rooms no longer exist.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNdq53xlla0idyANe8srKaFlNvcYetlLCJcZpjayV07wBSTPZWEs_-cYxQfPAZ7i8m9rxLjFUcHEYBpNruCwhmN3elHGiA77nPtAfjPURyfasTbC-TzmnjVIS18BOdAQunaAVbdXJ0XAIL/s1600/palmerspumproom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="407" data-original-width="609" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNdq53xlla0idyANe8srKaFlNvcYetlLCJcZpjayV07wBSTPZWEs_-cYxQfPAZ7i8m9rxLjFUcHEYBpNruCwhmN3elHGiA77nPtAfjPURyfasTbC-TzmnjVIS18BOdAQunaAVbdXJ0XAIL/s320/palmerspumproom.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Pump Room - </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And one simply cannot mention Bath and leave Beau Nash out of the frame, he, who became the master of ceremonies within the City of Bath's social whirl, and he really did rule the social order with a metaphorical iron glove. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thus, the building of Georgian Bath plays a small background roll to my novel -</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>In Love with a Portrait</b>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes it's nice to escape Regency England and step back in time to the Georgian period proper. And that's what I did. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgposIISvtCIemsIa_DIpszrva_wFnJe6SRFVWeYrFIt4YeIAj1SDucE5D7xnxhktROXSZJw0hlQBVpNFEVz7iX9HVE7fdLd00KcMkqcwB-MfeU2u6qsLpzRJJfYyQkzNBttUYUoUl7Ff3r/s1600/paradeharrisons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="929" data-original-width="1498" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgposIISvtCIemsIa_DIpszrva_wFnJe6SRFVWeYrFIt4YeIAj1SDucE5D7xnxhktROXSZJw0hlQBVpNFEVz7iX9HVE7fdLd00KcMkqcwB-MfeU2u6qsLpzRJJfYyQkzNBttUYUoUl7Ff3r/s320/paradeharrisons.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And this is Harrison's Walks in the present day - Parade Gardens.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5tibqf-2kF3xA9av7UZ0um1iB9W9NfgrD5MFAz0HYhDKPt0V2iElW5Ro7X_oQ43VAap4zkLiUsuWYMZQbeSe0zmiPNmHE6HUD2VIZABIUTAtPyjt1CgFS7wgRZ8e9bFV2ZB0aIuPUGM1y/s1600/Francis23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB5mtLXawLOXALTqY61ppAOXiXkTtpws_LuPubRqhYpQu178SKLhExwG7NpAJa9gujgGctF6yqES8J2Ux0Mu6D4G-OvO3aigAvunU1YAQbo4_uLIcPSb-2SANfQDRY_I39XRy1V4sDqXIv/s1600/portrattitle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="999" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB5mtLXawLOXALTqY61ppAOXiXkTtpws_LuPubRqhYpQu178SKLhExwG7NpAJa9gujgGctF6yqES8J2Ux0Mu6D4G-OvO3aigAvunU1YAQbo4_uLIcPSb-2SANfQDRY_I39XRy1V4sDqXIv/s320/portrattitle.jpg" width="199" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Book Blurb:</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 31.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;">... “No one, absolutely no one
will dare disturb us, unless the house catches fire”...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0cm;">Cassandra never envisaged a week in
the countryside with her cousin would lead to childish mischief. The prospect
of the village stocks looms when they are caught trespassing within a grand
country house. However, the law is the law, and the price of freedom in
Cassandra’s case proves more costly than imagined, for she loses her heart to the
very man whose portrait Sarah had fallen in love with, the man Sarah insists
she will tempt and seduce at will. Cassandra’s release from custody by the man
himself fuels jealousy and rivalry between her and Sarah. But when shocking revelations
of a scandalous affair and illicit passions set precedence for a hasty elopement,
stunned by it all, Cassandra discovers passionate asides can lead to true love
and romance in the strangest of circumstance.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DGZQ8BR">Amazon US</a> <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07DGZQ8BR">Amazon UK</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
Francine Howarthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02326542867876257042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808134950022033579.post-64221443893034750532018-05-25T12:29:00.000+01:002018-05-25T12:33:28.141+01:00Ratafia - Innocent Regency Cordial?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Ratafia</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip4emLM3mv9Zysvg2yCi14Vq01qLuVRZTv0qkGsQPhFz9slAQbbxMkaJUmmhqVWXF74RA5ajsb7J1loBKKhaZh4Fo7NBvsA-rQ-ThG0e6QqwB1YWyi3CdtNtxo_ULApcS0xcw8LMExxCV4/s1600/Ventian+gilt+crystal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip4emLM3mv9Zysvg2yCi14Vq01qLuVRZTv0qkGsQPhFz9slAQbbxMkaJUmmhqVWXF74RA5ajsb7J1loBKKhaZh4Fo7NBvsA-rQ-ThG0e6QqwB1YWyi3CdtNtxo_ULApcS0xcw8LMExxCV4/s1600/Ventian+gilt+crystal.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Renowned as a ladies cordial within the Regency era, though a much loved drink throughout the Georgian period, it is anything but as innocent as implied.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The ingredients suggest ladies enjoyed a little alcoholic tipple more than might be thought by those who had never partaken of the "supposed innocent" cordial!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Potent - or what?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNgWcATuGqfb94Nj-w9YjueFKESJVVJrvMP69MYESbeOtyx2kVsU7gnHOVQlUWylgw1uHjQ-XOwjmdhkxUO_hITmkHRFosMjWD5Qe1Nz4KZB-swBi5A2hDQ2Qyu3hYiI5mHxsXJ2_o6-ug/s1600/filigoldsmalloneinch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="48" data-original-width="508" height="29" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNgWcATuGqfb94Nj-w9YjueFKESJVVJrvMP69MYESbeOtyx2kVsU7gnHOVQlUWylgw1uHjQ-XOwjmdhkxUO_hITmkHRFosMjWD5Qe1Nz4KZB-swBi5A2hDQ2Qyu3hYiI5mHxsXJ2_o6-ug/s320/filigoldsmalloneinch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ingredients:</span></div>
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<li style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">1 quart of brandy</span></li>
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<li></li>
<li style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></li>
<li style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">½ bottle champagne</span></li>
<li style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></li>
<li style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">1/2 cup of gin</span></li>
<li style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></li>
<li style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></li>
<li style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">¼ cup of sugar</span></li>
<li style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></li>
<li style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">2 oranges</span></li>
<li style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></li>
<li style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">2 cups of cherries, pitted and squashed</span></li>
<li style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></li>
<li style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">2 cups of blackberries</span></li>
<li style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></li>
<li style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Dash of cinnamon</span></li>
<li style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></li>
<li style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Dash of nutmeg</span></li>
<li style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></li>
<li style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">1 teaspoon powdered rosemary</span></li>
<li style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Three cloves (bruised)</span></li>
<li style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></li>
<li style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">¼ cup crushed almonds</span></li>
<li style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></li>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Process:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mix in a gallon glass jar. Cap jar and shake. Store in dark cupboard for three weeks, removing once a week to shake jar. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">After three weeks, strain liquid through a cheesecloth, pressing down on solids to release their liquid. Distribute and store in several pint jars or tightly corked wine bottles.</span></div>
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Francine Howarthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02326542867876257042noreply@blogger.com