Navigating Disability in Regency England

by Edwina Kiernan

Regency England... the words conjure images of elegant ballrooms, sprawling estates, polite courtship, and a world in which societal norms and manners were meticulously respected. Yet, often overlooked in historical narratives, there existed a segment of the population whose lives looked very different from their peers: people with disabilities. While the Regency era is often romanticized for its opulence and refinement, the experiences of those with disabilities during this time were far more complex.

During the Regency era, disability was not a concept with a uniform understanding, as it is today. Instead, it encompassed a wide range of conditions, from physical impairments to mental health challenges—with varying degrees of social acceptance or stigma.

For individuals with disabilities in Regency England, life was fraught with numerous challenges. Access to education, employment, and healthcare was severely limited, exacerbating their marginalization within society. Physical disabilities, such as mobility impairments, often restricted individuals from participating in social activities and hindered their ability to navigate public spaces designed without consideration for accessibility.

Moreover, the lack of legislative protections meant that individuals with disabilities had little recourse against discrimination or exploitation. They were often relegated to the fringes of society, dependent on charity or familial support for survival. Additionally, prevailing attitudes towards disability perpetuated stereotypes and misconceptions, further isolating those affected and undermining their sense of self-worth.

An old wheelchair, made from wicker and wood.

Despite the prevalent challenges, individuals with disabilities in Regency England demonstrated remarkable resilience and agency in navigating their circumstances. Many found solace and camaraderie within supportive communities, whether through religious institutions, charitable organizations, or informal networks of peers facing similar challenges. These connections provided not only practical assistance but also emotional support and a sense of belonging.

Furthermore, some people with disabilities actively challenged societal norms and expectations, advocating for their rights and asserting their humanity. Writers, activists, and reformers emerged to challenge prevailing attitudes towards disability, advocating for greater inclusivity and recognition of the capabilities and contributions of disabled individuals.

In the face of adversity, those with disabilities in Regency England often demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability. Some developed innovative strategies to navigate their environments, whether through the use of assistive devices, leveraging personal networks, or cultivating specialized skills and talents. Despite societal barriers, many individuals with disabilities carved out meaningful lives for themselves, pursuing careers, engaging in creative pursuits, and forming meaningful relationships.

Moreover, the support of enlightened allies, including progressive thinkers, philanthropists, and advocates, played a crucial role in challenging societal prejudices and fostering greater acceptance and inclusion. Through their collective efforts, attitudes towards disability gradually began to slowly improve, laying the groundwork for future advancements in disability rights and accessibility.

The experiences of individuals with disabilities in Regency England offer valuable insights into the complexities of navigating disability in historical contexts. Their stories remind us of the resilience of the human spirit and the power of community in overcoming adversity. Moreover, they underscore the importance of recognizing the inherent dignity and worth of all individuals, regardless of their abilities or differences.

Did You Know?

My award-winning novel, Beryl's Blessing, has a heroine with a limp, who struggles with her disability (and its cause and effects) throughout the story. The hero, too, is affected by PTSD. Despite the two very different natures of their individual afflictions, their mutual struggles allow them to help one another deal with their pain and suffering. Until a long-hidden secret threatens to destroy all the progress they've made...

She's used to being alone... He can't get away from his guilty conscience...

Find out more here: EdwinaKiernan.com/beryl

About The Author:

Edwina Kiernan is an award-winning author of Christian Historical Romance. She lives in rainy Ireland with her husband and son, and uses her pen to point people to Jesus - the Living Word. She also drinks more types of tea than most people realize even exist. Find out more at EdwinaKiernan.com, and sign up for her weekly newsletter for lots of fun, fiction, freebies and faith.

Human Trafficking in Regency Era England

 by Edwina Kiernan

The Regency era in England (1811 - 1820), is often romanticized for its elegance and societal decorum. Yet, beneath the glamorous exterior lurked a shadowy world, where human trafficking cast a grim and surprisingly pervasive presence.

In Regency times, societal disparities were often pronounced, and a considerable number of people lived in abject poverty. The vulnerable and marginalized found themselves at the mercy of unscrupulous individuals who would exploit them in their desperation. Orphans, destitute women, and children from impoverished families were particularly susceptible to falling prey to human trafficking networks.

Some of the most notorious perpetrators were the press gangs. Though primarily known for forcibly recruiting men into the Navy, press gangs also engaged in the abduction and trafficking of women and children. Often prowling the docks and impoverished neighborhoods, these gangs operated with impunity, kidnapping unsuspecting victims to be sold into various forms of servitude.

Human trafficking during the Regency manifested in various forms, the most prevalent being indentured servitude and forced labor. Unscrupulous individuals, including criminals and opportunistic employers, preyed upon the desperate and destitute. Victims were often lured by promises of employment, only to find themselves trapped in exploitative situations with little hope of escape.

Women were particularly vulnerable. Kidnapped or coerced into a life of servitude, they faced harrowing conditions. Many found themselves in brothels, catering to the desires of the aristocracy and the burgeoning middle class. The lack of legal protections for these women meant that they were often at the mercy of their captors, enduring physical and emotional abuse with little recourse.

The trafficking of children was another grim reality. Orphanages and workhouses, intended to provide refuge for vulnerable children, became breeding grounds for exploitation. Perpetrators took advantage of these institutions, trafficking children into various forms of labor, including chimney sweeping, factory work, and domestic service. An innocent, carefree childhood was often sacrificed for economic gain.

The legal framework of the time was ill-equipped to combat the pervasive issue of human trafficking. While some laws existed to address specific aspects of the trade, enforcement was often lax, and legal loopholes allowed traffickers to operate without punishment. The lack of a centralized law enforcement agency and the absence of a comprehensive legal strategy to combat the crimes only exacerbated the problem.

Regency society, with its emphasis on class distinctions and an eagerness to maintain the status quo, also contributed to trafficking’s prevalence. On the rare occasion that the plight of the vulnerable was mentioned, it was often met with indifference, thus the suffering of those ensnared in the trade went unnoticed or deliberately ignored. 

The absence of a concerted effort to combat human trafficking allowed this nefarious trade to persist.

This uncomfortable chapter of history serves as a stark reminder that behind the veneer of elegance, a deeper, more unsettling narrative shaped the lives of the vulnerable in early 19th century England.

Did You Know?

My award-winning debut novel, Ruby’s Redemption, has as its main character a young woman who was trafficked, and her unlikely journey of rescue and redemption.

With no inappropriate language and no graphic depictions of depravity, Ruby’s Redemption is a powerful, uplifting and poignant story of God’s grace, healing and redemption that multiple readers have said they couldn’t put down! Find out more here: EdwinaKiernan.com/ruby

About The Author:

Edwina Kiernan is an award-winning author of Christian Historical Romance. She lives in rainy Ireland with her husband and son, and uses her pen to point people to Jesus - the Living Word. She also drinks more types of tea than most people realize even exist. Find out more at EdwinaKiernan.com, and sign up for her weekly newsletter for lots of fun, fiction, freebies and faith.

Visiting the Jane Austen Centre in Bath, England

As a longtime Jane Austen fan, absorbing the atmosphere of Bath, England, and it's unique Georgian architecture, I could feel the history surrounding me. Up until a few months ago I didn't know I would have the opportunity to visit this lovely little city. Walking five minutes in any direction will bring you to a site of historic significance. I didn't want to leave Bath without first having a chance to visit the Jane Austen Centre. 

This museum is located on Gay Street, on the same street, but not the same house in which Jane once lived for a time with her mother and sister after her father died. The buildings are very similar. 

A live "Mr. Bennet" happily greets visitors at the doorway, in Regency costume while a statue of Lizzie Bennet stands to the right as though waiting for someone on the street. Inside is the gift shop where you can buy tickets and wait for the tour while perusing a delightful array of Jane Austen souvenirs.

As the tour begins a guide shares the story of Austen's upbringing. It was fun learning a few things I didn't know about Jane and her family. She was quite close to her sister, Cassandra, who also never married, though she was secretly engaged for a time.

During the 1790s, Jane's family visited Bath on a few occasions. The tour guide noted that these were lighter and more carefree days, when she wrote Northanger Abbey. After her father retired from the pastorate they moved to Bath in 1801. This was not necessarily a happy time for Jane as in 1805 Mr. Austen passed away. It was after this they moved to Gay Street. These were less productive times of writing for Jane. Later she wrote her novel, Persuasion, with a darker view of Bath.

After a short introduction I was escorted down the hall where a gallery of pictures supposed to be Jane, a group of watercolors, prints, and sketches.

One of the sketches with Jane wearing a bonnet and looking away is a sketch done by her sister, Cassandra, as well as well-known pencil sketch also by Cassandra.

The Centre includes a short film narrated by Adrian Lukis, the actor who played the dastardly Mr. Wickham in the beloved 1995 BBC version of Pride and Prejudice. Actual period clothing is displayed as well as a table set for tea and various displays describing events in Jane's life and daily living during the Regency period in general. 

Did you know Jane did possibly experienced young love and at a different time was actually engaged for less than a day? The first, a nephew of neighbors in Steventon where she grew up, Tom Lefroy, visited several times. He and Jane enjoyed one another's company, but his parents had him intended for a wealthier match.

During her time in Bath, when she was late in her 20s, a younger brother of one of her friend's, Harris Bigg-Wither, offered a proposal of marriage, a surprise to Jane. At first, considering his inheritance and an opportunity to provide for her mother and sister, Jane accepted the proposal, but upon reflection overnight realized she didn't have the affection for Mr. Bigg-Wither which she believed would be important for a successful marriage. She declined the next day, to the embarrassment of both families. Yet Jane Austen's principles are evident again and again in her novels. The heroine holds out for marriage to a man she truly loves above other considerations.

Miss Austen's years post-Bath were spent in Chawton in a cottage her brother, Edward, provided for her, her mother, and her sister. Part of a large and close family, Cassandra and Jane helped their brother Edward with his family as well. Her brother, Henry, whom she was closest to, later advocated for her in having her works published. She ocntinued writing until her death at age 41 in 1817.

At the end of the museum you will find a full-size wax image, created by a forensic artist and said to be the most accurate depiction of Jane Austen. Visitors can also dress up in period clothing to have their picture taken. I opted to have my photo taken alongside "Jane" without a costume, but still it felt special.

The Jane Austen Centre in Bath is a testament to the fulfilling life that she lived though cut short by an unknown disease. She lives on in her books, in the imaginations of those who greatly admire her writing, and every young woman searching for her own Mr. Darcy! 

About Kathleen: Kathleen Rouser has loved making up stories since she was a little girl and wanted to be a writer before she could even read. She desires to create characters who resonate with readers and realize the need for a transforming Savior in their everyday lives. She is a long time member in good standing of ACFW and a former board member of its Great Lakes Chapter. Kathleen has been published in anthologies, including the Amazon bestseller, Christmas Treasures, as well as in both print and online magazines. Her debut full-length novel, Rumors and Promises, was recently published by Heritage Beacon Fiction in April, 2016.

Previously a home-school mom of three, she has more recently been a college student and a mild-mannered dental assistant. Along with her sassy tail-less cat, she lives in Michigan with her hero and husband of 34 years, who not only listens to her stories, but also cooks for her.

You can connect with me here: 

Website: kathleenrouser.com; 
Facebook: facebook.com/kathleenrouser/; 
Twitter: @KathleenRouser

Ten days to enter the Goodreads giveaway for
a chance to win one of two copies of Rumors and
Promises.  

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Rumors and Promises

by Kathleen Rouser

Giveaway ends July 31, 2016.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

How to Write Like Austen? (Maybe)

by Linore Rose Burkard

          Looking through some old newsletters from JASNA (The Jane Austen Society of North America), I came across something fun: An interesting link shared by author Carrie Bebris, a fellow regency novelist. She says she keeps her writing style in the vein of Austen's by using http://www.writelikeausten.com. 

If you type in a word, it will tell you if it appears in any of Austen's works--and how many times, too. It will also give you synonyms that Jane used--and point out a few she did NOT. There's more on the site that any respectable Janeite will enjoy, so I encourage you to take a look. But can it really help you write like Austen?

 
Just for fun, I entered a few words I used in my first regency, BEFORE THE SEASON ENDS.

"Prinny"--a caricature, by Gillray

I discovered that Jane never referred to the Prince Regent as "Prinny." (Though Mr. Mornay, the hero of BTSE, as well as the prince's inner circle of fashionable friends, did. Probably not to his face.)  


Neither did Jane once refer to the elite fashionable district of London (that regency writers today are so fond of), "Mayfair," by name. 


Interestingly, she used the word "Fortune" (ie., one's wealth) 222 times. (Hmmm.)
"Money-- 127
"Rich"--78
"Estate"--77 times.
"Marriage"--246
"Church"--53
"property"--55
"Jointure"--only 3 times (A jointure usually referred to a widow's income, sort of an annuity.)
"Wealth"--33 times.
 "Pounds"--95
"Wedding"--333

Going over that above list is like reviewing many of Austen's themes in brief, although her true themes cannot be reduced to single words. 

 For fun, I entered a few more words we all associate with Jane Austen, such as,

"Pride"--138 times
"Prejudice"--35
"Sense"--238--quite a lot 
"Sensibility"--69
"Gentlemanlike"--24 
"prodigiously"--5 (only! huh. And "prodigious"--only 9 times.)

Out of curiosity, I also tried the site's "Austen Writer," in which you can insert a paragraph of text and see how it compares to, in their words, "Austenicity." (Love that word! Austenicity.) 
So here's how the opening paragraph of my novel, above, made out.
I entered the following:

Something would have to be done about Ariana.

All winter Miss Ariana Forsythe, aged nineteen, had been going about the house sighing.  "Mr. Hathaway is my lot in life!"  She spoke as if the prospect of that life was a great burden to bear, but one to which she had properly reconciled herself. When her declarations met with exasperation or reproach from her family--for no one else was convinced that Mr. Hathaway, the rector, was her lot--she usually responded in a perplexed manner. Hadn't they understood that her calling was to wed a man of the cloth? Was there another man of God, other than their rector, available to her? No. It only stood to reason, therefore, that Mr. Hathaway was her lot in life.Their cold reception to the thought of the marriage was unfathomable.

How did it do? Except for the proper nouns, ONLY the following words from this excerpt were never used by Austen

exasperation, responded, hadn't, wed, available. 

I could take that to mean the writing has significant "Austenicity," right? But wait, maybe not. 

To compare, I took a paragraph from my contemporary novel, FALLING IN, and entered it into the site. 

Here's what I entered:

      ...Pat felt in his pocket, and that's when he pulled out a small felt-covered box, the kind that held rings. He was grinning.

        Oh, my gosh! He's going to propose! Sharona was shocked. Not happily shocked. It was an unwelcome idea, that of getting married. They'd only been dating for five months!  Sharona's heart constricted. Pat was cupping the box reverently in one hand, waiting for her to take it. She reached for it woodenly, her mind a jumble of thoughts.  It was true Pat had given warnings, saying things like, "Junior partners don't become senior partners in my firm without a wife; preferably a couple kids, too." Pat's superiors were mostly old-school, white-haired men, and they liked things traditional. But Pat had always followed such statements with a laugh, so Sharona never took his words as a hint of something coming. She hadn't dreamed he'd been serious.

In this case, the app again flagged personal pronouns, but also every single compound word and contraction; as well as "constricted," "cupping," "reverently," "woodenly," "preferably," and "dreamed." Jane Austen did not, apparently, use many adverbs or modifiers. (Perhaps we can learn something here!) Most words, however, were not flagged.  

This tells me two things:
1. You cannot use this little tool to write like Austen, although it will tell you if a word was never used by her.
2.  Jane used quite a few words in her writing that we still use today. And that's it! 

Still, it was a fun exercise. 
If I could find an app to do the same for writing like Dickens, now, wouldn't that be fun?

Do you read Jane Austen? Or regencies? What is a favorite word of yours from the period?




Linore Rose Burkard  is best known for her Inspirational Regency Romance Series, which whisks readers back in time to early 19th century England. Authenticity and heart-warming adventure are par for the course in her books. Fans of romance in the tradition of Austen and Heyer (such as Pride & Prejudice, Cotillion, and even My Fair Lady), enjoy meeting Linore's feisty heroines and dashing heros.
   
All excerpts above, copyright 2015 Linore Rose Burkard