One specific issue I wanted to address has to do with character names in novels and how members of the aristocracy are addressed. For instance, in my first novel, Secrets of the Heart, The Ravensmoore Chronicles, the hero, Devlin Grayson, is an earl. His estate is known as Ravensmoore, therefore he is addressed as Lord Ravensmoore, the Earl of Ravensmoore, or, for those who know him well, simply, Ravensmoore, but NOT Lord Grayson. He would not be called Devlin in public and his family may or may not call him by his given name.
In Chameleon, the second book in the series, Jonathon Denning is Lord of Witt. He is also an earl. He would be known as Witt to his familiars. It can get rather confusing. An earl's wife is known as a countess. If Witt marries, his wife would be known as The Countess Witt or Lady Witt. There are many authors who are well known for writing during this period in history. An excellent resource regarding the peerage can be located on Jo Beverly's website.
Vic Sanborn has an incredible site that you'll really enjoy. This is one of the places I go when looking for my own answers regarding the regency. You can find it at Jane Austen's World.
Vincent St. Lyons, Lord Eden is the hero of book three, Mystery of the Heart. He would be addressed as Lord Eden or Eden not St. Lyons although I rather like that. Lady Mercy is Ravensmoore's youngest sister. She would not be addressed as Lady Ravensmoore. That title would be reserved for Devlin's wife. If Mercy were to marry Lord Eden she would be addressed as the Countess of Eden or the Lady of Eden and can be addressed as Lady Eden. I have to admit that I sometimes get confused with titles and have to go look up information to keep it all straight.
Anyone remember what a titled lady who has lost her husband is called? This may come easier to you if you watch Downton Abbey. Maggie Smith's formal title on the show is The Dowager Countess of Grantham. Totally confused? I wouldn't blame you.
You may also enjoy, Nancy Mayer who is an incredible regency researcher. Those of us who have been reading and writing within the regency for years are well aware of Romance Writers of America's, The Beau Monde.And author Gaelen Foley also has an incredible history site.
Linore Rose Burkard has a great list of resources for readers you will enjoy. Author Julie Klassen has some great pictures under her resource tab. And here are the 10 Essential Voices in Regency Romance within the pages of Family Fiction Magazine. By the bye, Ruth Axtell Morren has been a fabulous mentor to me over the years and she's a fabulous writer.
There are many regency romance authors and if you love the era or have never read it there is something for you. Immerse yourself in a great book. Read a regency.
What's your favorite regency movie or novel? If you haven't yet read one I've got three you can delve into. Leave a comment today and you can pick any one of the three if you win. I'll leave this opportunity open through August 8th at midnight Pacific time. August 8th just happens to be my wedding anniversary. Thirty-three years married to a guy who can still make me laugh. I'll post the winner on Saturday, August 9th.
Jillian is employed as a counselor for nursing students in Cincinnati, Ohio and possesses a masters degree in social work. She is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors and passionate about mental health, wellness, and stomping out the stigma of mental illness. You can also read her July article of The Well Writer which is titled, Words Matter: Finding Inspiration With David McCullough. You can explore further at her website www.jilliankent.com.She invites you to join her on Twitter @JillKentAuthor and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/JillianKent
My favorite Regency novel would be Pride & Prejudice along with the 2005 film.
ReplyDeletea.f.washburn(at)aol(dot)com
Hi Alyssa,
DeleteGot to love that movie!
My favorite book is Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson, and my favorite movie is Persuasion (the newer one with Rupert Penry-Jones). Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeletecolorvibrant at gmail dot com
http://heidi-reads.blogspot.com
Hi Heidi,
DeleteI bet Julianne will be glad to hear that. :) I haven't seen the newer Persuasion. Must check into that.
I've not read a lot of Regencys, and its not my all-time favourite period, but I did enjoy 'The Tutor's Daughter' by Julie Klassen, and a less well known title 'The Widow's Redeemer' by Phillipa Jane Keyworth. Titles can be confusing, is it just a Bishop you're supposed to address as 'Your Grace' or a nobleman of certain rank too?
ReplyDeleteIn my own experiences, I do believe there have been some occasions in which people have confused titles with personal names, having characters called such things as 'Devon' or 'Pembroke'.
Hi Bookish,
ReplyDeleteTitles and names of the aristocracy are frequently confused. If someone carries the title of Duke they can be addressed as Your Grace. I frequently use Jo Beverly's site to help me stay on the right track. You can find it at http://www.jobev.com/title.html Thanks for sharing those book titles. Thanks for joining in the conversation.
Congratulations on your upcoming anniversary! I've not read a lot of different Regencies I guess, but my favorite Jane Austen is Emma--it makes me laugh! I am looking forward to reading the Ravensmoor Chronicles among others!
ReplyDeleteHi Claudia,
DeleteThanks for the anniversary wishes. I've never read Emma but loved the movie. The one with Gywneth Paltrow. She was perfect for that role and she made me laugh too. I wonder if the book is funnier than the movie?
I loved this interesting post! I have not read many regencies, but it sounds like I need to change that!
ReplyDeletetexaggs2000 at gmail dot com
Hi Britney!
ReplyDeleteI hope you'll give a regency novel a try. If you like history and England I think you'll enjoy. And of course you can always start with Secrets of the Heart.:) There's an excerpt from each of my novels here: http://www.jilliankent.com/books/
Check it out. Glad you enjoyed the post.
Titles are certainly tricky. A good introduction to the nuances is found in Daniel Pool's WHAT JANE AUSTEN ATE AND CHARLES DICKENS KNEW. Be forewarned that the book is more Victorian than Regency, but title etiquette and rules were the same so that chapter is relevant for regency researchers. Thanks for the mention, Jillian! I'm looking forward to getting back to one of my regencies that I had to leave for awhile as I pursued other writing projects.
ReplyDeleteHi Linore!
DeleteOne of these days we will meet in person. :) I own Daniel Pool's WHAT JANE AUSTEN ATE AND CHARLES DICKENS KNEW, but I couldn't tell you were it is at the moment. :) Maybe some day I'll actually get organized. Thanks for sharing this, I'd forgotten all abou it. Now get back to that book.
Anyone else out there have that book or Linore's for that matter?
Cheers,
Jillian
I don't know if it was me or my best friend in junior high who discovered Georgette Heyer first, but we both blame her for hooking us on Regency romance novels. My personal favorite is THE DEVIL'S CUB with its double dose of rakes in one family.
ReplyDeleteHi Sandy,
DeleteI wish I'd been introduced to Heyer as a kid. I didn't discover her till much later and I'd love to start with her first book and read them all the way through. I think it would be eye opening. I've read a couple of her novels but not The Devil's Cub, now I have to read it.:) Really enjoyed The Grand Sophie. Thanks so much for bringing up her name. She's a regency icon.
I have read several of Julie Klassen's regency books and really enjoy them! She has a wonderful writing style and the added mystery keeps me wanting to know more.
ReplyDeleteHi Mallori,
DeleteJulie's great! I enjoy her style too. Do you have a favorite?
Hello jillian. Happy Anniversary. I would love to win some of your books. I'm not to sharp on the different era's names
ReplyDeletethanks for this information.. Maxie > mac262(at)me(dot)com <
Hi Maude,
DeleteIt takes a long time to get sharp on those names.You are not the only one. :) I still get confused but when writing a novel I have to make sure I'm right. Very challenging but I love it!
Thanks for the Anniversary wishes!
DeleteHi Jillian! Gosh, formal titles in the Regency Era are very confusing! Thanks for such a fascinating post and congratulations on 33 years of marriage! I hope I can find a husband and we can still make each other laugh after three decades! God bless!
ReplyDeletekam110476 at gmail dot com
Thanks for the anniversary wishes, Kam. Glad you liked the post. Keep looking for that right man. If he doesn't make you laugh, don't marry him! It helps to be great friends first. :)
ReplyDeleteAww, happy anniversary early!! That is awesome. :)
ReplyDeleteI agree, Emma the movie was so funny and great to watch. I'm not a huge fan of Gwyneth normally, but she totally fills that role in the movie!
lattebooks at hotmail dot com
Hi Susan,
DeleteThanks for the Anniversary wishes. With all this talk of Emma I'm planning on watching it again this weekend. :) I love to have movies available that make me laugh and that I really enjoy, especially after a long week at the day job. Hope you have a great weekend too!
Lots of sites to read about the Regency Period. Thanks for that and the interesting post. sharon wileygreen1(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteHi Sharon,
DeleteHope you enjoy the links. Lot's of fun out there if you like to explore.
The winner of this giveaway (according to the random number generator) is Alyssa Faith. Congratulations, Alyssa! I'll be in touch. You may have your choice of any one of the Ravensmoore Chronicles novels. And thanks to each of you who contributed to this conversation. How boring it would be without you!
ReplyDeleteMay God bless you and guide you along your unique path.
Jill