Sandie Hudson

17th Century Shopping Trip

2010-07-31T23:41:00.005+10:00

Here is my second assignment and shopping trip.

Historical Heroine Wardrobe 17th Century.
This time my heroine is shopping in France for her new wardrobe.

On her shopping list today:

1pr shoes 3livre
2pr stockings 1 louis
1 petticoat – plain 96sous
1 corset 18sous
1 cap – lappet cap 12sous
1 shift 1/5 ecu
1 kercheif 10sous
1 cloak 30livres
1pr draws 8sous

She is also going to have a gown made for her by one of France’s expert seamstress.

Description:
A square neckline embroidered bodice with flared sleeves to below the elbow and lace frill under pleated edge. Embroidered over gown with train, hitched into a bustle back over an exposed petticoat with heavy ruffled hem. An embroidered corset is to be worn under the bodice.

The colours are a rich maroon and gold.

This is at the bargain price of 10louis. Yes, it costs to have a custom dress made in France, but she will be the talk of the new season, Fashion as at the late 17th century.

Sandie

A Saturday Shopping Trip

2010-07-24T22:58:00.006+10:00

I'm back. This is the first of my 'Shopping on Saturday'. Recently I took a workshop with Savvy Authors called 'From Farthingales to Flappers: What's in your Historical Heroine's Wardrobe', with Beth Daniels. It was all about finding the clothes for my historical heroines. Below is my shopping list from my first assignment. I had such a great time doing this workshop. Next week I start a workshop on arming my historical hero.

NOTE: I had to make a guess at what things would cost.

Dressing a Duchess during Henry VIII period.

Shopping List:

Underwear ~

2pr Stockings 50s

2 Chemises 2p

2 Petticoats 30p

1 Farthingale 40p

1 Corset 20s

1 Bumroll 6p

Outer Clothes ~

1 Perlet 1s

1 Kirtle 1 pound

1 Gown - Velvet w/embroidered trim 4 pound

Sleeves - Velvet w/sable fur 1 pound

1 Stomacher - Velvet w/lace over 2 pound

Day Dress ~

Satin Kirtle & sleeves 1 pound

Bodice w/square neckline 40p

Accessories ~

Shoes ~

1pr Gold embroidered slippers 4s

1pr Black satin slippers 2s

Hats ~

Velvet w/gold trim 1s

Purse 1.5d

Jewellery ~

Earrings 2 pound

Bracelet 50s

Carcanet 5 pound

Ring 8 pound

That concludes my first Historical shopping trip.

Sandie

Monday's Male - Edmund Bertrum ~ Mansfield Park

2010-03-29T05:00:00.005+11:00

Mansfield Park is believed to be the novel that readers like the least of Jane Austen's novels. The adaptation to film and television like many take liberties with Miss Austen work. If you think about it, that goes with any novel adapted to film or television, I guess directors, screenwriters etc, like to leave their own mark of the stories.

Today for Monday's Male I'm looking at Edmund Bertram. I have pictures of the three actors who stepped into the role of Edmund. Now, I've only watched one, that being Jonny Lee Miller, so I can't say for sure who is the better, but from youTube, it's a toss-up between Jonny and Blake Ritson.

Edmund Bertram ~

Edmund is the younger son of Sir Thomas and Lady Bertram and is six years older than Fanny Price. Edmund has plans to become a clergyman. He and Fanny form a strong friendship early in their relationship. While Fanny looked down upon by hie family, Edmund looks past the poor relation and sees the true woman she is and can be. For a time Edmund is attracted to Miss Crawford, until she expresses her opinion on the scandal involving his sister, Mrs. Rushworth and Mr. Crawford. Like all good romance novels he soon realizes he is in love with his cousin Fanny Price and they are married.

Edmund Bartram 1:
Nicholas Farrell.

Nicholas reprised the role of Edmund in 1983.

To watch a scene from Mansfield Park 1983 you need to link in HERE.

Nicholas has also starred as Mr. Musgrove in the 2007 television adaptation of Persuasion.

Edmund Bertrum 2:
Jonny Lee Miller.

Jonny stepped into Edmund's shoes for the 1999 film of Mansfield Park.

NOTE of INTEREST: Jonny played the role of Charles Price along side Nicholas Farrell in 1983.

Jonny recently starred as Mr. Knightley in the television adaptation of Emma (let's save that for another Monday's Male)

Jonny on youTube

Edmund Bertram 3:
Blake Ritson.

Blake was selected for the 2007 television adaptation of Mansfield Park.

Blake played along side Jonny Lee Miller in the 2009 adapted for television version of Emma as Mr. Elton.

Blake on youTube.

So there we have another Monday's Male. I wonder at times, where Jane Austen found inspiration for her heroes, did she model some after her father and brothers? What about Tom Lefroy? Lefroy did come into her life at a time when she was writing Pride and Prejudice (First Impression), some say she tailored all her hero after her alleged lost love, but I'm not convinced. Her heroes are very different in some respect, yet alike in other ways.

I'm going to continue to look at Jane Austen's heroes for the next few weeks as well as compare the actors cast for the role of the hero film or telemovie.

Until next time.
Sandie

Women on Wedneday ~ Lady Josephine Mounthall

2010-03-24T22:04:00.006+11:00

I missed last weeks Women on Wednesday, and almost missed this week's as well. Family commitments have a way of derailing the best layed plans.

This week I am introducing you to the heroine of 'Lady Mounthall's Lover'. Josephine is a young widow, ready to live her life for the first time on her own. No parents , no husband, but what about a lover?

HEROINE:

Name: Lady Josephine Mounthall (Keria Knightly)

Age: 24

Height: 5’ 4”

Hair colour: Blonde

Eye colour: Brown

Physical description: Slim figure, full lips, oval face and eyes.

Family: Affiliations: Has no family, her parents are deceased and she was an only child and is now a widow.

Career: Lady

Basic Traits: Caring, determined, strong willed.

HER GOAL: To lead a quiet and happy life on her own. To help the share farmers on her family estate.

HER MOTIVATION: She has had one unhappy marriage and does not plan to repeat the experience. The farmers are like family to her.

CONFLICT: She finds herself attracted to the Duke of Chesterfield even though she suspects he and her good friend Henrietta maybe having an affair. The overseer her husband employed to run her family farm will do all he can to hold onto his power.

HER CORE BELIEF: That marriage for a woman, means being treated like a person of lesser value than her husband. Men cannot be trusted.

Sandie

Monday’s Male - The Mouth Watering Yummy ~ The Duke of Chesterfield

2010-03-15T10:02:00.010+11:00

Okay this is a quick Monday Male this week because I have to go out. Yes, time away from my writing, time I don’t have, but it's for my big sister so that’s alright.

Today I thought I would introduce you to the hero of my Regency romance ‘Lady Mounthall’s Lover’. When I started to write this novel as usual, I didn’t have much to go on, except for an the idea that I’d have an independently wealthy widow have an affair with my hero, William Grey, the Duke of Chesterfield.

I’ve had to made a few changes due to the English Law and women’s rights, but it is still moving forward. The one big change is the Duke seems to have an alternative motive for helping the good Lady Mounthall out. I’ll go into more detail later in the week. For now, here is the dashingly handsome and hot the Duke of Chesterfield.

HERO:

Name: William Grey – Duke of Chesterfield (Olando Bloom)

Age: 30

Height: 6’ 2”

Hair colour: Blake

Eye colour: Brown

Physical description: Wide shoulders, narrow waist, full lips, hooded eyes.

Family Affiliations: Has a younger brother with a gambling problem. Both parents deceased.

Career: Gentleman

Basic traits: Trustworthy, helpful, and respected

Sandie

Women on Wednesday ~ Margaret Mitchell

2010-03-10T14:02:00.022+11:00

On Monday I chatted about one of my all time favourite heroes, Rhett Butler. So, today I thought I’d give a short history of the woman behind ‘Gone With The Wind’ and how it all started.

Margaret Mitchell was born November 8 1900. She spend much of her childhood with relations telling tales of the American Civil War. She attended university for a short period before returning home to look after her family home after her mother passed away.
Margaret once worked for the Atlanta Journal Magazine writing under the name of Peggy Mitchell and by all accounts was well respected. She was a petite woman, with a sense of humour, talked brilliantly and charming, and has a taste for mildly indecent anecdotes.

Margaret started to write ‘Gone with the Wind’ while bedridden after she broke her ankle. It was John, who first suggested Margaret write her own novel after he grew tired of bringing home historical novels for her from the library. John was Margaret’s second husband, the first being John’s best friend Berrien “Red” Upshaw. Margaret divorced Red, after she found out he was a bootlegger and an abusive alcoholic.

In 1935, Harold Latham, the then vice-president of Macmillam publishing was looking for new writers for the publishing house. Margaret was suggested as a possibility. The only problem was that her story about the Civil War, had been read by no one other than her then husband John Marsh.

Margaret met with Latham, after a friend asked her to help host a dinner. When he broached the subject of her novel, she first denied she had a novel for him to read, but later stated that it was not ready for anyone else to read. The day after the dinner she took a number of young hopeful writers to meet Latham. While driving one of the young women home and Margaret told her she had written a novel, but was ashamed of it. The girl replied that she wouldn’t have taken Margaret as a writer, as she lacked the seriousness necessary to be an author. This spurred Margaret on, and she rushed home and pulled out all the drafts of her novel, then delivered them to Latham’s hotel. Latham had to buy a new suitcase to carry all the copies of Margaret’s novel.

Shortly after giving all her copies of her manuscript to Latham, Margaret had a couple of misfortunes. The first was a car accident, where she swerved to miss another car, the second was when she was knocked unconscious by a guest in her own home accidently hit her in the head with a bottle of whisky. She requested that Latham return her manuscript so she could work on it further, but he asked her to hold off as he was very interested in her story. A few days later, she received a telegram offering her a contract and a $500 advance, at first she was unsure if she wanted her novel published, but when she told John, he sent a telegram back accepting the offer.

Macmillan placed Gone with the Wind close to the top of its spring releases. It was not long after that the people in Hollywood were asking for the movie rights. Gone with the Wind was one of the fastest selling novels of all time, within three weeks of its release it sold 178,000 copies.

Margaret's agent Annie Laurie, turned down an offer of $40,000 from Jack Warner, telling him she would take nothing less than $65,000

By all accounts, Margaret did not find happiness in selling her novel, she did not enjoy the fame the novel and later the film gave her.

She died in August 1949 when she was struck by a car as she was out walking with John who could only walk help. The story is that Margaret and John were crossing the road when a speeding car came towards them, she fled to the footpath, leaving John stranded in the middle of the road, the car swerved to miss John and collected Margaret dragging her seven feet before he stopped. Margaret died five days later in hospital.

Interesting Facts for Margaret’s original manuscript:

Scarlett was called Pansy

Ashley’s surname was originally Dukes

Tara was called Fountenoy Hall

She had also thought of calling the novel Tote The Weary Load or Tomorrow Is Another Day

It was a phase from a favorite poem by Ernest Dowson: "I have forgot much, Cynara! gone with the wind...” That she chose the name.

She wrote the last chapter first.

Sandie

Monday's Male ~ Ruggedly Handsome Rhett Butler

2010-03-08T15:20:00.007+11:00

Here I am again with another Maile Monday. This week I thought I’d chat about that devil may care hero Rhett Butler. Gone With The Wind is one of my all time favourite movies. There are some people who can’t take to Rhett or Scarlett for that matter, but I love them both. To me Rhett is the ultra alpha hero, he doesn’t let anyone put crap on him, not even the woman he loves, he’s tough, caring when he needs to be and hot! Clark Gable played the role to perfection, but than most of Mr. Gable’s movies are spot on. Yes, I’m a BIG fan of Clark Gable.

But, back to Rhett. From the start he shows he is a man willing to take risks, not afraid to say what is on his mind and goes after what he wants, namely Scarlett O’Hara. Only one movie was ever made of Gone With The Wind, much to my delight, of course there is the dismal attempt of a tele-movie Scarlett. How could anyone in their right mind cast Timothy Dalton as Rhett, for heaven’s sake, he turned a mucho Rhett into a wishy washy pansy man, and don’t get me started on Joanne Whalley-Kilmer.

My favourite scene is after they fight their way out of Atlanta and tells Scarlett he is going to enlist. Before he leaves he tells Scarlett he loves her more than he has ever loved any woman and he has waited for her longer than he has ever waited for any woman, then he kisses her passionately.

Sandie

Women on Wedneday ~ Women in History

2010-03-03T13:42:00.007+11:00

A few weeks ago, I watched Young Victoria, the film based on the life of Queen Victoria, the lead up to her ascending the throne after her uncle King William IV.

Emily Blunt plays the role of Victoria, and quite frankly, I think she does a very convincing job. Rupert Friend takes on the role of Victoria’s lifetime love Prince Albert. If you are an historical nut like myself, I think you would enjoy this movie. It does make you sit back and think about what life may have been like someone so young living in the fish bowl would of the royals.

Let’s like at the real Queen Victoria.

Alexandrina Victoria; 24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901. Her father died when young Victoria was only 8 months old. Her life became one watched over constantly by nursemaids and her mother Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld. Victoria was the only legitimate child of King George III four sons. When King William IV ascended the throne after his brother King George IV, it was presumed she would be the next heir after William’s death.

Victoria was only eighteen when she began her reign as Queen Victoria. It was once she became Queen that she was able to come out from under the control of her mother and her mother’s assumed lover John Conroy.

She first met Albert when she was seventeen, and enjoyed his company and thought him extremely handsome. They married on 10 February 1840, the first of their nine children was born in November 1840. Albert became Victoria’s companion and political advisor. A number attempts were made on Victoria’s life during her reign, the first when she was pregnant with her first child Victoria.

When Albert died on 14th December 1861. So heartbroken was the Queen that she avoided public appearancesfor many years. In 1887 the year of her Golden Jubilee, Victoria return to the public arena.

Queen Victoria died of a cerebral hemorrhage on Tuesday 22 January 1901.

Now that is a very short and condensed look at Queen Victoria’s life. If you would like to find out more about Victoria and Albert or any of the royal family try Wikipedia , British Monarchy or Spartacus School net.

If you would like to leave a comment, click on comment, then scroll down to buttom of post and click on 'post comment'.

Sandie

Monday's Male ~ The Deliciously Dashing Mr. Darcy ~ Part 2

2010-03-01T05:00:00.006+11:00

Today we are going to look at the made for television adaptations of Pride and Prejudice. This is the one that surprised me. In all, there have been eight productions for television made, that is not including ‘Lost in Austen’, but I’m going to throw it in here as well, just because Elliot Cowan, is hot, but not as hot as Colin Firth.

I don’t have pictures of all the actors who played the role of Mr. Darcy, and the one’s I do are not all dress in the Darcy role. But it will give you an idea of how different producer/directors see our Mr. Darcy.

The first television production of Pride and Prejudice was made in 1938 with Andrew Osborn as the lead (This is suppose to be Andrew, but I'm not 100% sure it is).

That was followed in 1949 with NBC Philco Television Playhouse where one episode was ‘Pride and Prejudice’. Mr. Darcy was played by John Baragrey.

I couldn't find a photo of dear John on his own.

In 1952 Peter Cushing stepped into the role. Not sure about this one, he just doesn't look like a Mr. Darcy to me.

An Italian version was released in 1957 with Franco Volpi playing the part of Mr. Darcy. I'm not convinced I'd be able to watch Mr. Darcy talk in a foreign language.

umm... I have no comment!

In 1958, there were two productions of Pride and Prejudice, the first starred Alan Badel, in the role of Darcy.

While the second was a General Motors Theatre production first aired in December 1958. Darcy in this instance was played by Patrick Macnee.

This photo is one of Patrick in Jane Eyre.

A Dutch adaptation was released in 1961 titled De vier dochters Bennet, Dutch singer and actor Ramses Shaffy play Fitzwilliam Darcy. Again I'm not sure how Darcy would go with a foreign accent .

In 1967 Australian actor Lewis Fiander stepped into Mr. Darcy’s shoes.

Now there's something I didn't know, an Aussie playing the role of Mr. Darcy. Interesting.

David Rintoul took on the role in 1980. Umm, now he's not too bad, may have to see if I can't fish out the DVDs of this one.

This now brings us to the most famous of the Mr. Darcy actors Colin Firth. Colin stepped into the role in 1995, and made the character his own.

Now you had to know I was always going to use the wet photos of Colin and Elliot. What would be the point not to use them. This is called hero inspiration. It is all done for the sake of our craft.

2008, saw a new spin and the Pride and Prejudice script with ‘Lost in Austen’. Elliot Cowan, while hot and brooding, still doesn’t carry the role as well as Colin. Like, Matthew Macfadyen, Elliot doesn’t carry the air of arrogance, Colin is able to portray.

Of course, this is just my unbiased opinion. So what do you think? Who is your all time favourite Mr. Darcy?

If you would like to leave a comment, click on comment, then scroll down to buttom of post and click on 'post comment'.

Thanks for dropping by.

Sandie

Jane's World ~ Love and Friendship

2010-02-27T01:25:00.006+11:00

Love and Friendship, is a series of letters, written mostly by Laura to the young daughter (Marianne) of her childhood friend Isable. This is one of Jane Austen’s early works, and I found it entertaining and full of wit, for one so young and a minister’s daughter.

These letters, I think, show Jane’s humorous side. The Republic of Pemberley, description ‘Love and Friendship’:

This tale, in epistolary form, is one of Jane Austen's Juvenilia. Love and Freindship (which is usually cited in Jane Austen's original spelling) is an exuberant parody of the cult of sensibility, which she later criticized in a more serious way in her novel Sense and Sensibility. For the main characters in Love and Freindship, including the narrator Laura, violent and overt emotion substitutes for morality and common sense. Characters who have this "sensibility" fall into each other's arms weeping the first time they ever meet, and on suffering any misfortune are too preoccupied with indulging their emotions to take any effective action. They use their fine feelings as the excuse for any misdeeds, and despise characters without such feelings.

I found myself laughing many times throughout the story at Jane’s description of situations, and I wondered where she came up with these ideas. I think, like many of Jane’s novels we wonder if she did in fact those around her to draw on her characters.
Here are the first three letters in this tale of sorry and woe.

Letter the First from Isabel to Laura
How often, in answer to my repeated intreaties that you would give my Daughter a regular detail of the Misfortunes and Adventures of your Life, have you said "No, my freind, never will I comply with your request till I may be no longer in Danger of again experiencing such dreadful ones."
Surely that time is now at hand. You are this day 55. If a woman may ever be said to be in safety from the determined Perseverance of disagreeable Lovers and the cruel Persecutions of obstinate Fathers, surely it must be at such a time of Life.

Isabel.

Letter 2ndLaura to Isabel
ALTHO' I cannot agree with you in supposing that I shall never again be exposed to Misfortunes as unmerited as those I have already experienced, yet to avoid the imputation of Obstinacy or ill-nature, I will gratify the curiosity of your Daughter; and may the fortitude with which I have suffered the many afflictions of my past Life, prove to her a useful lesson for the support of those which may befall her in her own.

Laura.

Letter 3rdLaura to Marianne
AS the Daughter of my most intimate freind, I think you entitled to that knowledge of my unhappy story, which your Mother has so often solicited me to give you.

My Father was a native of Ireland and an inhabitant of Wales; my Mother was the natural Daughter of a Scotch Peer by an Italian Opera-girl -- I was born in Spain, and received my Education at a Convent in France.

When I had reached my eighteenth Year, I was recalled by my Parents to my paternal roof in Wales. Our mansion was situated in one of the most romantic parts of the Vale of Uske. Tho' my Charms are now considerably softened and somewhat impaired by the Misfortunes I have undergone, I was once beautiful. But lovely as I was, the Graces of my Person were the least of my Perfections. Of every accomplishment accustomary to my sex, I was Mistress. When in the Convent, my progress had always exceeded my instructions, my Acquirements had been wonderfull for my age, and I had shortly surpassed my Masters.

In my Mind, every Virtue that could adorn it was centered; it was the Rendez-vous of every good Quality and of every noble sentiment.

A sensibility too tremblingly alive to every affliction of my Freinds, my Acquaintance, and particularly to every affliction of my own, was my only fault, if a fault it could be called. Alas! how altered now! Tho' indeed my own Misfortunes do not make less impression on me than they ever did, yet now I never feel for those of an other. My accomplishments too, begin to fade -- I can neither sing so well nor Dance so gracefully as I once did -- and I have entirely forgot the Minuet

Dela Cour.

Adeiu.Laura.

Here are a few of my favourite lines from other letters in ‘Love and Friendship’.

After having been deprived during the course of 3 weeks of a real freind (for such I term your Mother), imagine my transports at beholding one most truly worthy of the Name. Sophia was rather above the middle size; most elegantly formed. A soft languor spread over her lovely features, but increased their Beauty. -- It was the Characteristic of her Mind. -- She was all Sensibility and Feeling. We flew into each other's arms and after having exchanged vows of mutual Freindship for the rest of our Lives, instantly unfolded to each other the most inward secrets of our Hearts. -- We were interrupted in the delightfull Employment by the entrance of Augustus (Edward's freind), who was just returned from a solitary ramble.

Never did I see such an affecting Scene as was the meeting of Edward and Augustus.
"My Life! my Soul!" (exclaimed the former) "My Adorable Angel!" (replied the latter), as they flew into each other's arms. It was too pathetic for the feelings of Sophia and myself -- We fainted alternately on a sofa.

Then there is this one:

She had not time to answer me, for every thought was now engaged by the horrid Spectacle before us. Two Gentlemen most elegantly attired, but weltering in their blood, was what first struck our Eyes -- we approached -- they were Edward and Augustus. -- Yes dearest Marianne they were our Husbands. Sophia shreiked and fainted on the Ground -- I screamed and instantly ran mad. -- We remained thus mutually deprived of our Senses some minutes, and on regaining them were deprived of them again. For an Hour and a Quarter did we continue in this unfortunate Situation -- Sophia fainting every moment and I running Mad as often. At length a groan from the hapless Edward (who alone retained any share of Life) restored us to ourselves. Had we indeed before imagined that either of them lived, we should have been more sparing of our Greif -- but as we had supposed when we first beheld them that they were no more, we knew that nothing could remain to be done but what we were about. No sooner, therefore, did we hear my Edward's groan than postponing our Lamentations for the present, we hastily ran to the Dear Youth and kneeling on each side of him implored him not to die. -- "Laura (said He, fixing his now languid Eyes on me) I fear I have been overturned."

The spelling mistakes are those of Miss. Austen, can’t you just see her sitting at her desk writing madly as the ideas pop into her head. I wonder if she thought her novels through?
If you’d like to read the full tale you can find it here at The Republic of Pemberley

I borrowed the book of Jane’s early works from my local library, so if you’re like me and love to curl up with your book, try my library or a second hand bookstore.
Next month, I’m going to look at ‘Lesley Castle’.

If you would like to leave a comment, click on comment, then scroll down to buttom of post and click on 'post comment'.

Sandie

A Visit with Jane

2010-02-24T14:09:00.014+11:00

This is the first of my look into famous or influential women in history. Who better for me to start with than Jane Austen?

Jane Austen, born December 16th, 1775 at Stevenson, Hampshire England, the seventh of eight children, and the second daughter. Jane’s life was not unlike that of many of her heroines, raised in a family on medium income, where the daughters would need to marry into money, as there was little to be bestowed upon them when their father’s died.

Jane’s father Rev. George Austen the local rector at Stevenson and his wife Cassandra (nee Leigh) by all accounts had a loving marriage. Jane enjoyed reading, learnt to draw and play the piano (although rather poorly. Sound like anyone?)

From many of Jane’s letters to her beloved sister Cassandra, Jane came across as a girl/woman who enjoyed the company and affection of many who attended the social gathering of the time.

In one letter she writes about a mutual flirtation with Thomas Lefroy. Thomas is believed to have been Jane’s great love interest, but because he had no money of his own and the fact Jane, herself had no money coming her way, they did not pursue this relationship.

Jane write to Cassandra saying:

"Tell Mary that I make over Mr. Heartley and all his estate to her for her sole use and benefit in future, and not only him, but all my other admirers into the bargain wherever she can find them, even the kiss which C. Powlett wanted to give me, as I mean to confine myself in future to Mr. Tom Lefroy, for whom I do not care sixpence. Assure her also, as a last and indisputable proof of Warren's indifference to me, that he actually drew that gentleman's picture for me, and delivered it to me without a sigh.

Friday. -- At length the day is come on which I am to flirt my last with Tom Lefroy, and when you receive this it will be over. My tears flow at the melancholy idea."

Now that is just too sad.

Was this were Jane draw her inspiration for her novels? Did she cast the spiteful Mrs. Mitford as one of her characters? Mrs. Mitford’s description of Jane as "the prettiest, silliest, most affected, husband-hunting butterfly she ever remembers" sounds somewhat like Lady Catherine De Bourgh.

When Jane died 18th July 1817 at the age of 41, she life behind a legacy of wonderful novels written by a woman of great imagination and humour.

The inscription on Jane’s grave at Winchester Cathedral:

In memory of

JANE AUSTEN,

youngest daughter of the late

Revd. GEORGE AUSTEN,

formerly Rector of Steventon in this County.

She departed this Life on the 18th July 1817,

aged 41, after a long illness supported with

the patience and the hopes of a Christian.

The benevolence of her heart,

the sweetness of her temper, and

he extraordinary endowments of her mind

obtained the regard of all who knew her, and

the warmest love of her intimate connections.

Their grief is in proportion to their affection

they know their loss to be irreparable,

but in the deepest affliction they are consoled

by a firm though humble hope that her charity,

devotion, faith and purity have rendered

her soul acceptable in the sight of her

REDEEMER.

Jane’s novels continue to fascinate readers the world over and with many either made into mini-series for television or movies, the interest in Jane’s work is sure to continue.

I’m going to have a post once a month looking at the writings of Jane Austen called ‘Jane’s World’. The first will on Saturday looking at ‘Love and Friendship’ one of Jane’s early works.

If you would like to leave a comment, click on comment, then scroll down to buttom of post and click on 'post comment'.

Sandie

Monday's Male ~ The Deliciously Dashing Mr. Darcy

2010-02-22T10:15:00.016+11:00

Oh, Mr. Darcy, where for art thou Mr. Darcy. Sorry wrong genre, author, and character. Well the character is the right one for this the first of my ‘MONDAY’S MALE’ Fitzwilliam Darcy or Mr. Darcy as he is better know, has been, and still is one of the all time favourite heroes. Of course, I think Colin Firth has had a lot to do with the interest in this somewhat interesting character.

When I decided to do this blog on Mr. Darcy, I believed somewhat mistakenly that there had been four or five productions of Pride and Prejudice, hence only needing to find the five actor who portrayed the role. How wrong was I? Now bear in mind I am only looking at the actors that played the role in Pride and Prejudice, not movies that have a modern day spin on the novel. Well except for ‘Lost in Austen’, but then, we do have Mr. Darcy of Pride and Prejudice. So, I’ve decided to split this into two posts, this week I’ll have the movie production of Pride and Prejudice.
Let’s first look at films. Those of the big screen. The first movie production of ‘Pride and Prejudice was in 1940, with Laurence Olivier casted in the role of Fitzwilliam Darcy. While the production was very much Hollywood, at least Mr. Olivier was British. But I’m afraid he just doesn’t hit me as Mr. Darcy.

The second movie reproductions of Miss. Austen’s novels was in 2005, when the Matthew Macfadyen stepped into the role. Now while Macfadyen was very easy on the eye (shame the was no lake scene), I wasn’t knocked over with his delivery of the character. He just didn’t seem to have the right degree of snobbery needed in the early scenes of the pompous Mr. Darcy.

I wonder what Miss Austen would think of Mr. Darcy today. Next week we'll look at the the mini-series made for television.

If you would like to leave a comment, click on comment, then scroll down to buttom of post and click on 'post comment'.

Sandie

Researching Australian History

2010-02-17T01:21:00.005+11:00

When I decided to set one of my historical romances during the early settlement of Australia, I knew I’d have to do a fair amount of research. It wasn’t just Australian history I’d need to know but also English. Not that this was a hardship of any kind, after all I enjoy researching, especially historical research. That is one reason why I enjoy genealogy, the discovery of ancestors, how they lived, how they made a living, were they convicts, transported to Australia for some heinous crime? Or free settlers eager to start a new life, in a new country.

I have a mix of both; my first ancestor to touch down on Australian soil was Simon Freebody. Simon was transported to our great shores for stealing a dressed lamb, as one of the second fleet; Simon was one of the lucky ones to survive the long journey on the convict ship ‘Surprise’. By all accounts, Simon was a hard worker and for the main part stayed out of trouble. In 1795 his life partner Mary Wells arrived on the Royal Admiral for stealing twenty seven yards of printed calico, although they never married, Simon and Mary raised six children. Their third daughter Mary Ann Freebody, married Daniel Search were my Great, great, great grandparents. Daniel was also a convict, transported in 1819 on board the ‘Atlas’. Their daughter Mary Ann Search married John Simpson, whose parents John Simpson and Mary Marshall were also convicts.

Hezekiah Cornell. Hezekiah and his parents were free settlers. According to the stories my Dad told us growing up, the Cornells’, looked down on Mary Ann, thinking her not a suitable match for their Hezekiah as she came from convict blood. It was from these stories of my Dads that my interest in our family history grew.

Now I’m once again delving into the minefield of our family history, but this time for a story of fiction, with elements of fact. A love story, of two convicts sent to Australia for crimes they didn’t commit, but punishment they accepted to protect their families. It is this comment bond that draws them together, but is it one that is strong enough to cerement their lives.

Here is a list of sites that can be useful when searching Australian history:
Australian History Timeline

Convict Life

Proceedings of the Old Bailey

Convicts to Australia

NSW State Records General Resources

Colonial Secretary's Papers Index 1788-1825 online search available

Patricia Downes' Australian Pioneers

Pottaroo’s Place Records

That’s a start on a few sites great from researching Australian history, I’ll add more over time as well as links to other era’s in history.

For now I’m going to bed.

Sandie

Wedding Traditions

2010-02-14T06:00:00.016+11:00

With it being Valentine's Day and romance is in the air everywhere, I went searching for an explanation to some of our wedding traditions. I came across these:

A List of Wedding Traditions from ForeverAfter

THE ORIGIN OF THE RING FINGER

During 3rd century Greece, the ring finger was the index finger. In India it was the thumb. During a Christian wedding the priest arrived at the forth finger (counting the thumb) after touching the three fingers on the left hand '...in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost'. The Egyptians believed that a special vein, which they called a "vena amoris" or vein of love, ran from the third finger on the left hand, directly to the heart. By putting on a fitted ring, the affections were bound in and could never flow out the fingertips. Also, this finger although not the smallest on the hand is the weakest and most dependent on the others for help in lifting and holding.It seemed to symbolise the young wife supported by the strength of her husband.

The "ring" finger has sometimes been on the left hand, sometimes on the right, according to country and custom. Among English-speaking persons, it has been on the left since the edict of Edward VI in 1549.

THE ORIGIN OF THE WEDDING RING

Before coinage, gold rings were circulated as currency. By giving a gold ring to his bride, a man showed he trusted her with his property. Under Roman law, the ring was a sign of security, protecting the interests of the bride-to-be. In Elizabethan times, an interlocking set of three rings was used and worn during the engagement period by the bride, the groom and the witness at the wedding. The three rings would be placed on the bride's finger during the wedding ceremony.

Diamond rings became popular in the 19th century.

Roman wedding rings were carved with two clasped hands. Very early rings had a carved key through which a woman was thought to be able to open her husband's heart Jewelled rings were the next step and the diamond is mentioned specifically from about the fourth century AD, and frequently from the fifteenth century on.

Although nor required to validate marriage under a civil law, rings were required in 16th century by the Council of Trent. Circular shape symbolises eternity.

THE ORIGIN OF THE ENGAGEMENT RING

The troth or promise ring is older than the wedding band. Its earliest form was probably plaited sweet grass, which came from the custom of securing the bride's wrists and ankles with rushes during the age of marriage by capture. When restraint became more symbolical than physical, a grass ring was given to her, succeeded by rings of metal as man became more accomplished in the crafts. The Romans and Egyptians, with their love of precious metal and stones, initiated the production of platinum, silver and gold rings. In early Rome a gold band came to symbolise everlasting love and commitment in marriage.

In 860 A.D., Pope Nicholas I decreed that an engagement ring become a required statement of nuptial intent. He insisted that engagement rings had to be made of gold which signified a financial sacrifice on the part of the prospective husband.

THE ORIGIN OF THE DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING

The Wedding Tradition of the diamond engagement ring comes from the 15th. century Venetians. The diamond was called the Venus stone, comparing its shining beauty with the planet Venus in the evening sky. Like this goddess, who was dedicated to love, the diamond in time became associated with sweethearts, and its mysterious inner fire was likened to the equally mysterious fires of passion. The Greeks called is "adamas"- eternal or unchanging, possibly as a declaration as to the depths of their emotions, but more probably the ancient name came from the character of the stone, the hardest substance in nature.

According to history, the diamond as an engagement ring began in 1477 with Maximilllian of Austria and Mary of Burgundy. Maximillian of Austria planned to propose marriage to Mary of Burgundy. Fearing he would be rejected he sought advice. It was suggested a diamond be bought. Max took the advice and proposed, slipping a diamond ring on her third finger, left hand side. Mary said "Yes" and a weddign tradition was born and they were married on August 17 that year.
Today, when many wedding traditions are toppling, the diamond ring wedding tradition is stronger than ever. Four out of five engaged couples- for whom the individual expression of their love is still captured in that tiny, sparkling gem.

THE ORIGIN OF THE BEST MAN WEDDING TRADITION

In 200 A.D, the male Germanic Goths of northern Europe, usually married a woman from within his own community. However, when there were fewer women, the prospective bridegroom would capture his bride from a neighbouring village. The bridegroom was accompanied by his strongest friend (or best friend), who helped him capture his bride.

WHY THE BRIDE STANDS TO THE GROOMS LEFT

After the bridegroom captured his bride, he placed her on his left to protect her, thus freeing his right hand or sword hand against sudden attack.

THE ORIGIN OF THE HONEYMOON

After "kidnapping" his bride, the groom would take her and go into hiding, disappeared with her so that her family could not rescue her. The couple hid for a month (moon) and partook of a wine, made of mead and honey called metheglen, which was thought to have aphrodisiac properties. By the time the bride's family tracked them down them, the bride would probably already be pregnant! A "bride price" would then be negotiated.

By the sixteenth century, honeymoon referred less to a time period and more to a feeling. Newlyweds were in the "honey," or full phase, of their love.

THE ORIGIN OF THE TERM WEDDING

Although some brides were kidnapped, marriage by purchase was the preferred method of obtaining a wife. The "bride price" could be land, social status, political alliances, or cash. The Anglo-Saxon word "wedd" meant that the groom would vow to marry the woman, but it also referred to the bride price (money or barter) to be paid by the groom to the bride's father. The rootof the word "wedding" literally means to gamble or wager!

THE ORIGIN OF THE TERM "TO TIE THE KNOT"

The term "tie the knot" also goes back Roman times. the bride would wear a girdle that was tied in many knots which the groom had the "duty" of untying.

THE ORIGIN OF THE BACHELOR DINNER (BUCKS NIGHT)

In Sparta, during the height of Greek civilisation, soldiers were the first to hold stag parties. The groom would invited his close friends to a supper on the eve of his wedding to celebrate and reminisce about his past. Traditionally, it was also held to raise money for the bridegroom so he would be able to continue to drink with his buddies after his wife took control of the finances . He would bid farewell to his bachelorhood and pledge his continued allegiance to his comrades.

THE ORIGIN OF THE BRIDAL PARTY

This term has many origins from different cultures. In Anglo-Saxon times, the groom had the help of "bridesmen" or "brideknights" to help him capture and/or escort his bride. Later they would make sure that the bride got to the church and to the groom's home afterwards. The women who accompanied and assisted the bride were called "bridesmaids" or "brideswomen".

THE ORIGIN OF THE TRADITIONAL WHITE WEDDING DRESS

White is the ceremonial symbol of purity and virtue and hence of maidenhood. It has been so since Biblical times. But white has not always been the fashion for wedding gowns. Prior to the 19th century, it was fashionable to wear a colourful outfit that could be adopted for later wear.

A typical early American bride wore the best she should afford and potentially re-use in the prevailing fashion of the day. It might be a white linen shift over a petticoat or two, a blue and white Calico smock or something in pink, a fashion colour, with velvet or trim. Colonial brides also wore pastel brocades and even cherry red satin, but the rites were most often performed at home than in a church.

Depending on which source you believe the following three women are credited for the popularisation of the white wedding dress.

In 1499, Ann of Brittany wore the first white wedding gown.

Nellie Custis revised the wearing of white at her marriage to George Washington's favourite nephew on the ex-president's last birthday, February 22, 1799 and white has now been the fashion for some 200 years.

About 1820 white became popular for formal occasions, although pastels were in vogue until the end of the century. When Queen Victoria wore white at her own wedding in 1840, it became the official colour for brides, because it was considered a symbol of Biblical purity. Although fashions have changed, white is still symbolic of brides and the word "white" has come to symbolise happiness and joy.

THE ORIGIN OF "SOMETHING BLUE"

In early Biblical times, blue not white symbolised purity. Both the bride and groom usually wore a band of blue material around the bottom of their wedding attire, hence the wedding tradition of "something blue.

THE ORIGIN OF THE BLUE GARTER

We all know that something blue is lucky for the bride, but why a blue garter? This seems to stem from the noble Order of the Garter, the oldest order of knighthood in Europe. Its regalia includes a collar, a star and an actual blue velvet garter. Since queens and princesses are the only women invested with the Order, and a bride is a "queen for the day", she may enjoy royal prerogatives by wearing a blue garter below her left knee.

THE ORIGIN OF THE GARTER AND BRIDAL BOUQUET TOSS

Guests invaded the bridal chamber and threw the bride and groom's stockings. The one whose throw landed on the bride or groom's nose was the next to marry. It was customary in the 14th century for the bride to toss her garter to the men. Sometimes the men would get drunk, become impatient, and try to remove the garter ahead of time. Therefore, the custom evolved for the groom to remove and toss the garter. By the end of the14th century, the groom was throwing the bride's garter to prevent their being rushed at the altar. With that change the bride started to toss the bridal bouquet to the unwed girls of marriageable age.

WHY IT BECAME BAD LUCK FOR THE GROOM TO SEE BRIDE BEFORE THE CEREMONY

Until relatively recently, brides were considered the property of their father. Their futures and husbands were arranged without their consent. The marriage of an unattractive woman was often arranged with a prospective groom from another town without either of them having ever seen their prospective spouse. In more than one instance, when the groom saw his future wife, usually dressed in white, for the first time on the day of the wedding, he changed his mind and left the bride at the altar. To prevent this from happening, it became "bad luck" for the groom to see the bride on the day of the wedding prior to the ceremony.

THE ORIGIN OF THE WEDDING VEIL

To prevent the groom from seeing the brides' face till after the ceremony was over, brides began to wear opaque yellow veils. Not only could the groom not see in, the bride could not see out.

Therefore, the father of the bride had to escort her down the aisle and literally give the bride to the groom.

We think of the veil as being oriental because the Eastern bridegroom often did not see his bride's face until after the ceremony. Actually, the veil is older than the harem and rises from the mists of mythology. Ishtar, ancient Goddess of Love, came from the depths to her betrothed, the vapours of the earth and sea covering her "like a veil."

Today, prior to a Jewish wedding ceremony, it is the groom who ritually "veils the bride". This reason for this wedding tradition goes back to the marriage of Jacob to Leah (the older sister) when he thought he was marrying Rachel (the younger sister) whom he loved.

The invention of the wide loom and silk tulle in the 19th century gave women a sheer covering that enhanced their beauty.

The wedding veil symbolises modesty, privacy, youth, and virginity. That way of thinking still has a foothold on bridal etiquette, as only a first-time bride wears a veil.

WHY SHOULD YOU BE ENGAGED ONLY ONCE?

At one time it was thought that to be engaged more than once meant certain damnation. The groom-to-be often avoided making the proposal himself, but instead sent friends to represent his interests to his intended bride or her family. On their way to make this visit, these representatives would observe certain things that they would interpret as omens for the future couple. A monk, a blind man, or pregnant women were among the bad omens, signalling that the representatives should give up their mission. Nanny goats, a pigeon, or a wolf were among those bringing good fortune. One warning for brides-to-be was to avoid suitors whose surnames began with the same letter as their own.

THE ORIGIN OF THE PROPOSAL

In the 19th century, declaration of love was tantamount to proposal; arranged marriages did not include proposals nor did marriage by capture. Asking the bride's father for her comes from the era of arranged marriages.

THE ORIGIN OF THE ENGAGEMENT

The engagement is a means to an end - marriage. Indeed, the full term is "engaged to be married." At one time, however, the engagement was as important as the wedding itself. Anglo-Saxons were used to stealing away their brides-to-be. Romance, wooing and engagements were not in the picture. But the families of the women insisted on being reimbursed for what was, after all, a working member of the family. The engagement itself signified the intended transfer of ownership from father to husband and also provided a period during which the "bride's price" could be agreed.

Several centuries later the situation was in reverse and fathers were paying future sons-in-law, or their families, a "dowry" to marry off their daughters. The engagement was again a time for agreeing on the payment, or dowry, and also a time for collecting an extravagant trousseau, at least for rich brides.

THE ORIGIN OF THE ENGAGEMENT PARTY

Once marked by a party called a "flouncing", the couple met with their future in-laws to make the engagement official. Neither of the couple could be seen talking to another man or woman after this point and should the engagement be broken, the one breaking it forfeited half of his or her worldly goods.

THE ORIGIN OF THE BRIDAL SHOWER, TROUSSEAU (KITCHEN TEA)

This wedding tradition evolved from Holland when a father disapproved of his daughter's choice and the villagers gathered to "shower" her with the dowry her father refused.

Once upon a time, the bride's family began preparing for her marriage when she was born. They collected embroidered and crafted items to store in a striking piece of furniture known as a "marriage" or "hope" chest.

A century ago in Italy the bride's belongings were carried in a street procession to her marriage and everyone saw the contents. Today, the bride's family might purchase the hope chest.

In some communities today, a "trousseau tea" is held before the wedding. This "ladies only" social gathering is a way to show off all the bride's new things not just gifts, but lingerie, clothing items, personal items everything but the wedding costume.

Bridal showers were meant to strengthen the ties between the bride and her friends, provide her moral support, and help her prepare for her marriage. Gift giving dates from the 1890's.
In the old days of marriage by capture, a maiden was guarded by her family to prevent seizure, and in later centuries this little drama was enacted as a sort of game at country weddings. The bridegroom, gaily attired, coming for his bride, was confronted by a bevy of maidens all dressed exactly alike. His part of the play was to detect his true love, "forsaking all others," and bear her away to the church. As recently as Victorian times, brides' maidens often wore white dresses and even short bridal veils, looking like brides themselves. The best friend was designated first bridesmaid. Maid of honour and matron of honour are modern designations in line with our smaller wedding parties of today. It was once required that 10 witnesses be present at a marriage ceremony to outsmart the jealous demons. Bridesmaids dressed similarly to the bride, and ushers' attire resembled the groom's. This was an attempt to confuse the spirits who wanted to harm the couple. If the spirits could not tell the bride and groom apart from attendants, they would not be able to carry out their plans.

THE ORIGIN OF THE RING BEARER

This small attendant, usually a relative of the bride, is typically American and unknown in Europe, although he is the successor of the English page boy who still carries the bride's train in formal weddings at Westminster. Children, especially youths, have always been considered propitious in the wedding party, and in France they carried lighted tapers at the bride's side. Charles Frederick Worth, who dressed most of the queens of Europe form his house in Paris, is said to have originated the court train, suspended from the shoulders, for the wedding gown. This gave the little train bearer a definite job to do.

But alas, court trains went out of fashion as skirts grew shorter, so the bride's little nephew was given the wedding ring to carry.

THE ORIGIN OF THE BOUQUET

Symbolises life, growth, and fertility. Herbs ward off evil spirits. Flowers with different meanings are assembled into a bouquet. Flower Meanings

Acacia = Elegance

Carnations = Fidelity

Honeysuckle = Generosity

Hyacinth = Playfulness

Irises = Wisdom
Orchids = Fertility
Roses = Love

Why Orange Blossoms?

There are cycles of favour for bridal flowers just as with other bridal fashions. We had the era of rosemary, then myrtle, and more recently the orange blossom has enjoyed a full century of popularity. Carried from Spain to France many years ago, and then to America, the orange blossom wedding tradition became so strong that brides wore the flowerets moulded in wax when they couldn't get fresh blossoms.

The meaning is significant: the orange tree is one of the very few in all nature that bears its flowers and its fruit at the same time-- a symbol of the young and fruitful spouse. Because the tree from which orange blossoms come is an evergreen, they are also thought to symbolise the everlasting nature of the newlywed's love for each other.

THE ORIGIN OF "SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW"

Something Old: Continuity

Something New: Optimism and Hope

Something Borrowed: Happiness shared from happily married couple

Something Blue: Fidelity, Love, and Purity

A Lucky Sixpence In The Shoe: Ensure a life of fortune. The sixpence first became known as a lucky coin when introduced by Edward VI of England in 1551 and later became part of bridal wedding tradition in the Victorian era.

Other traditions include carrying small bags with a bit of bread and cloth and wood and coin to protect against shortages of food, clothing, shelter, and money. A lump of sugar to bring sweetness all the married life may also be included.

THE ORIGIN OF THE WEDDING KISS

No ceremony is complete without the kiss. In fact, there was a time when an engagement would be null and void without one. Dating back from early Roman times, the kiss represented a legal bond that sealed all contracts. If one of the engaged pair died before the wedding, the other could keep the gifts only if they had already kissed. The wedding kiss is no longer a required part of the wedding ceremony.

The wedding kiss is a symbol of the newlywed's faith and love, respect and obedience to mutual benefits. It grew out of the feudal practice of kissing the lord's ring.

Another story goes, the priest first kissed the groom after the ceremony. Then the groom kissed the bride, the priest kissed his assistants, and his assistants kissed the guests. No longer is the tradition carried this far.

THE ORIGIN OF THE BRIDE'S HANDKERCHIEF

Early farmers thought a bride's wedding tears were lucky and brought them rain for their crops. Later on in history, a crying bride meant she would never shed another tear about her marriage.

THE ORIGIN OF THE REHEARSAL DINNER

Parties were held on the wedding eve to chase away the evil spirits. The more noise the better.

THE ORIGIN OF THE WEDDING RECEPTION

The fact is that marriage feasts have been in existence nearly as long as marriage ceremonies. The early Greeks held a splendid wedding feast for every couple. And it was a very special occasion indeed because although women were not usually included in other Greek banquets, they were invited to wedding feasts.

THE ORIGIN OFSERVING GOOSE AT A WEDDING FEAST

According to folklore, goose was served at weddings because the gander, always faithful to his original mate, became the symbol of marriage and fidelity. By serving goose, it was believed that the main dish would symbolise things hoped for and dreamed for in the marriage.

THE ORIGIN OF THE WEDDING TOAST

What about the origin of "toasting"? As drink goes, wine has always been central to the wedding, even mentioned in the Bible. The first recorded toast was given at a Saxony feast in 450A.D. by a woman who became a bride herself before the end of the evening.

British King Vortigern was so moved by the sentiment: a simple "Lord King, be of health," offered by Rowena, daughter of the Saxony leader Hengist, that he proceeded to make passionate love to her. Intoxicated by the drink, possible love, and definitely greed, he then bargained with Hengist for her hand. A deal was arranged whereby Hengist received the province of Kent in exchange for her hand. Vortigern and Rowena were married that same evening. From that time forth, "to life, to health, to love," has been a part of the toasting tradition, as glass touches glass and a chorus of clinks heralds a festive time for all.

Once it literally involved scorched bread. In the days when wine was regularly decanted, it left much more sediment than our modern bottles do. So the French cleverly placed a piece of toast in the bottom of the cup to absorb the dregs.

A competent toaster drank everything to get to the toast at the bottom because decorum dictated that one drain the glass.

So good wishes were often accompanied with the dictum, "Bottoms up!" Today the good wishes remain but happily the actual soggy toast has disappeared. And, clinking of glasses after a toast scares away the devil who is repelled by the noise.

THE ORIGIN OF SUGARED ALMONDS

In many cultures, almonds symbolise wishes for a happy and fertile marriage. The candy-covered nuts were often in elaborately decorated small boxes and containers, looking for all the world like little gems. Wedding Favours are given, to share joy of day with guests, dating back to Elizabethan
times.

THE ORIGIN OF DANCING AND GAMES

Ancient wedding dances were communal and symbolic of life giving and beginnings. The first dance of the bride and groom leading to their dancing with the guests was to give them strength from the community before they retired to the bedchamber.

THE ORIGIN OF DECORATING THE CAR

Traditionally, the guests escorted the couple to the bedchamber and tucked them into bed reminding them of their responsibility to the community to create a family.

Old Shoes: In India, when a couple were honeymooning in a house, the bride's red slippers were thrown across the peaked roof as a discreet reminder that visitors were not especially welcome.

Our custom of throwing old shoes after the departing newlyweds stems from this ancient sign language. Old shoes tied to the honeymooner's car were once considered symbols of authority and possession. The bride's father would contribute one of the bride's shoes to the groom, thus symbolising the transference of authority over to the husband.

Tin Cans: To protect the couple form evil spirits while they travelled.

THE ORIGIN OF THROWING RICE

It is thought to have come from the Orient, where rice is a household symbol that signifies a full pantry. Thus, wedding guests through the ages have thrown rice to demonstrate their wishes for he prosperity of the new bride and groom.

It was also believed that to shower the couple with grain was to wish upon them a 'fruitful' union. It was believed that the fertility of the seeds would be transferred to the couple on whom they fell. While nearly all cultures have showered the wedding couple with symbolic food to ensure fertility, for many years it was rice that was used in America. Today, however, this sport is considered dangerous as someone could slip and fall when walking on the grains. Environmentalists say that rice can harm birds, being hard for them to digest. However, there is also biodegradable rice now on the market, making it possible to again use rice.

As an alternative you use birdseed, potpourri, confetti, or bubbles. Tie the birdseed into the rounds of net. Coordinate the ribbon used to tie the packets with your colour scheme. Or, packages of confetti can be passed out. For a different effect, non-staining bubble soap is available and the small bottles can be personalised with the couple's names. What a pretty sight it is to walk beneath a canopy of bubbles on camera a beautiful sight.

THE ORIGIN OF CARRYING THE BRIDE ACROSS THE THRESHOLD

The Romans believed that the threshold was the sacred place of their goddess Vesta and that if the new husband did not carry his bride feet-first into their new home, and the bride stumbled when entering the newlywed's home for the first time, it would bring bad luck and harm to their marriage and the couple would risk Vesta's displeasure, so carrying the bride across the threshold would prevent this from happening. And even today in some parts of India, the fear of evil spirits is so great that the groom himself is carried over the threshold before he turns and lifts his bride across after him!

THE ORIGIN OF THE WEDDING CAKE

The tradition of the wedding cake has ancient roots. The Roman wedding ceremony included a simple cake made from salt, water, and wheat flour. The cake culture may also be connected to the fertility rituals of many cultures. One custom, similar to that of throwing confetti, involved showering the bride with many small cakes after the wedding. Sometimes the cakes were even broken over the bride's head.

In Shakespeare's time, sheaves of wheat were carried in the wedding procession and sometimes the bride wore weathers in her veil because this graceful grain is a symbol of fertility. In a later era, the wheat was ground to flour and little hearth-baked cakes were broken and eaten by the bride and groom. Gradually these loaves became more elaborate. The bridesmaids carried them to the church to be blessed, which led to the belief that the very crumbs under one's pillow would induce dreams of romance.

At Elizabethan weddings, the bride and groom would kiss over a stack of small sweet buns. A 17th century French chef frosted the little cakes with white sugar to hold them together. White wedding cakes appeared in the United States around the civil war, replacing the British dark fruitcake.

Elaborately decorated wedding cakes date from Victorian times. One customs in England involved throwing a plate holding a piece of cake out the window as the bride entered her father's home after the wedding. If the plate remained unbroken on landing, the bride was destined to be unhappy or wretched. If the plate broke and it usually did she was sure to be happy. England also has the tradition of placing a ring in the wedding cake. The guests were invited to cut themselves slices of cake. The one who found the ring was said to be ensured happiness for a year.

The bride and groom feed each other a taste of cake to symbolise the sharing of life's bounty. A small bit of icing on his face foretells a "rich and sweet life"; his face smeared with icing, "trouble"; and if a child under five snitches frosting, their first born will be the same sex as the child.

BREAKING THE CAKE OVER THE BRIDE'S HEAD

An old tradition that isn't practiced today, breaking the cake over the bride's head has its origins in the roman empire. The groom would eat part of a loaf of barley bread baked for the occasion and break the rest over the head of the bride. It is believed that this symbolised the breaking of the hymen and the dominance of the groom over the bride. As time wore on and wedding cakes evolved into a more modern form of a cake, it became impossible, much to the relief of many brides, to properly "break" the cake over the bride's head. There have been reports of breaking an oatcake or other breakable cakes over the bride in Scotland in the 19th century. In North Scotland, friends of the bride would place a napkin over the her head and a basket of bread is poured over her head. There is no easy explanation for the evolution of this tradition, as the principal symbols of the tradition, the groom and the actual process of breaking, have been done away with.

COLOUR

When asked about the colour of a wedding cake, most people would answer white. The white colour of the icing on a wedding cake has come to symbolise purity and virginal attributes. This notion was first put forward in Victorian times. Before then, though most wedding cakes were white because of a more practical reason. At the time, ingredients for the wedding cake were much harder to acquire, especially for the icing. White icing meant that only the finest refined sugar was used, and so the whiter the cake, the more affluent the families involved were perceived!

Another reason that the whiteness of the cake was considered pure was the association of the cake with the bride. Originally, wedding cakes were called bride cakes. This not only emphasised the bride as the main focal point of the wedding, but also created a link between the bride and the cake. In fact, even today, the link is being reinforced. Many couples have requested wedding cakes be made to match their colour with the wedding dress!

CUTTING THE CAKE

Perhaps the most well-known tradition associated with wedding cakes is the joint task of cutting the cake. Here the first piece is cut by the bride with feigned assistance from the groom. It has come to symbolise the first task in the couple's life together and is a key image for the wedding photographer to capture. Originally. it was the sole duty of the bride to cut the cake for sharing by the guests. As cakes became grander, the task became quite formidable, particularly in the early multi-tiered cakes where the icing had to be strong and rigid enough to support the upper tiers. It became a joint task more out of necessity than symbolism.

Immediately after the cutting, the bride and groom feed each other the first slice. This action symbolises the commitment to provide for each other that the bride and groom have undertaken. However, in most American weddings, this task has the appearance of a traditional slapstick pie-fight.

GIVING PIECES OF CAKE AS GIFTS

The idea of presenting pieces of cake as gifts for guests was started as far back as the roman empire, but it is still carried on today. After the tradition of breaking the bread over the bride's head, the guest would grab for the crumbs that fell to the ground as catalysts for fertility. The idea of sleeping with a piece of cake underneath your pillow was chronicled as early as the 17th century and is the main reason behind giving cake as a gift today. It is said that you will dream of your future husband if you sleep with a piece of wedding cake underneath your pillow. A twist on this tradition in the late 18th century has the bride handing out tiny crumbs of cake that were passed through her ring for people to place underneath their pillows. This was stopped after ceremonial rules frowned on the bride removing her ring after the service.

GROOMCAKE

Another tradition that was more prevalent in early American ceremonies is the groomcake. Usually a dark cake to contrast the wedding cake, it was a second cake that was present at the reception as well. The reason for this second cake is not commonly known. There are claims that the groomcake was to be served to the bridesmaids by the groom with a glass of wine. Another claim states that the groomcake is to be saved and shared with friends after the honeymoon. This tradition is not widely recognised in most ceremonies, but there are still some observances of this in the southern half of the United States.

SAVING THE TOP TIER

With multi-tier cakes, most couples decide that they would like to save the top tier for a later time. The process involves freezing the cake for consumption as much as a year after the ceremony. This tradition has its roots in the late 19th century when grand cakes were baked for the occasion of the christening of a child. It was expected that the a christening would occur soon after the wedding ceremony, so the two ceremonies were often linked, as were the cakes. With the increasing complexity of the wedding cake, however, the christening cake soon became a paltry partner for the wedding cake. When three tier cakes became popular, the top tier was often left over after the reception. A christening provided a good reason for disposing them. People could then rationalise the need for three tiers, the bottom tier for the reception, the middle tier for distributing and the top for the christening. As time wore on, the wedding became less and less associated with procreation. So the reason for saving the top tier has expanded. Whatever the reason, when the top tier is finally consumed, it serves as a reminder of the happy occasion for the couple.

SEPARATING THE TIERS

The first wedding cakes were very simple compared to today's multi-tiered creations. The first multi-tiered cakes were made for royal weddings in England, with the first one not even having "true" upper tiers (they were made of spun sugar rather than actual cake). As these upper tiers evolved into real cakes, the problem of preventing the upper layers from sinking into the lower layers was prevalent. The idea of using pillars to decorate a cake was present before the multi-tiered cakes appeared, so it was natural for bakers to regard this as a way to support the upper tiers. To prevent the pillars from sinking into the bottom tier, icing was hardened to support the pillars.

THE ORIGIN OF THE FAMILIES SITTING ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE CHURCH

Fathers would sometimes offer their daughters as peace offerings to warring tribes. Because of the hostility, the families were placed on opposite sides of the church so the ceremony could go on without bloodshed. The ceremony united the two warring factions into on family, and danger of war was resolved.

THE ORIGIN OF TAKING EACH OTHER'S RIGHT HAND

The open right hand is a symbol of strength, resource and purpose. The coming together of both right hands is a symbol that both the bride and the groom can depend on each other and the resources that each brings to the marriage. It also represents the merger of their lives together into one.

Now isn't that interesting information for our historical romance novels.

Sandie

Yes, Yet Another Blog

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Yes, I know I'm crazy. I told you I had a problem with collecting things. This blog however is going to be devoted to just my historical novels. I think it will be easier for me to split my blogs up into genres.

Here I can rattle on about my research for all my historical romance novels. Share any interesting facts I may come across, and yell when something isn't going right.

So what am I writing in regard to my historical romance? Here's my list, some are WIPs, others are just titles with a vauge idea of a story line.

Building an Australian Dynasty Series:-

Chains of Love ~ Shep and Marianne (WIP)

Her Mother's Daughter ~ Jonas and Louisa

Regency Period 1810 - 1820

Regency Request Series

A Duchesses Life WIP

Royal Mistress

Lord Greenacres Takes a Bride

Regency Lovers Series

From Mistress to Duchess

Lady Mounthall's Lover

The Duke of Whitehall's Mistress

The Irresistable Lady Paxton

Victorian Years 1837 - 1901

Lady of the Court

His Pregnant Mistress

Edwardian Era 1901 - 1910

Duke Morrison's Bride

Lady Christina

So there you have it, these are the titles I'll be working on this year and more than likely next year as well.

Next post will be the best sites for Australian history research.

Sandie

COMING SOON

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