Search Results for: church
A Thundering Good Sermon – Going to Church With the Georgians
In this print by Rowlandson of Dr Syntax Preaching (1813) virtually all eyes in the crowded church are on the minister at the top of the three-decker pulpit. The owners of the most important house in the district are in … Continue reading
Filed under Architecture, Buildings, Religion
Ophelia’s Maiden Strewments in an English church
In Hamlet the priest says of the burial of Ophelia – Her obsequies have been as far enlarged As we have warranty: her death was doubtful; And, but that great command o’ersways the order, She should in ground unsanctified have … Continue reading
Filed under Traditions, Women
A Fleet Street Church
The scene above (from Ackermann’s Repository ) 1812 shows the view west along Fleet Street towards Temple Bar, the point where the City of London becomes Westminster. The Regency Londoner would have trouble recognizing it today – always assuming they … Continue reading
Filed under Architecture, Buildings, Shopping, Street life
Plough Monday
This year Plough Monday, the first Monday after Twelfth-day, fell on the 10th January. Traditionally, especially in the North, the East Midlands and East Anglia, this marked the day when work resumed in the fields after the Christmas festivities, although … Continue reading
Filed under Agriculture, Entertainment, Traditions, William Hone, working life
The Perfect Regency Hero? Defender of the Common Man? The Saviour of the Scillies ? Pioneering Plant Collector? Or Sexual Predator? Who was Augustus Smith?
During a recent holiday on the Isles of Scilly I visited Tresco Abbey Gardens and discovered that they had been created by a man whose name was familiar from my childhood. Augustus Smith (1804-72) was the hero who defended the … Continue reading
Filed under Employment, Gardening, Gentlemen, Historical Romance, Uncategorized
Perambulations Through Late Georgian London or, All the Best Sights in One Week. Day Six
It is Saturday and we have reached day six in the action-packed itinerary recommended by Mr Herriott in his 1836 Modern Picture of London. Today’s expedition involves a river trip and seems slightly less exhausting, despite an early start. Visit … Continue reading
Filed under Architecture, Buildings, Entertainment, Monuments, Rivers, Shopping, Walks
Perambulations Through Late Georgian London or, All the Best Sights in One Week. Day Three
After exhaustive (and exhausting) sightseeing on Monday and Tuesday, described in my previous two posts, Mr Whittock (The Modern Picture of London, 1836) has a far shorter list of places to visit for Wednesday. I suspect it would not be … Continue reading
Filed under Architecture, Buildings, Entertainment, London Parks, Prince Regent, Walks
Perambulations Through Late Georgian London or, All the Best Sights in One Week. Day Two
Despite a packed day of sightseeing on Monday, as reported in my last post, Mr Whittock, author of The Modern Picture of London still expected his readers to be on parade bright and early the next day. Starting at half-past … Continue reading
Filed under Architecture, Buildings, Entertainment, Monuments, Walks
Perambulations Through Late Georgian London or, All the Best Sights in One Week. Day One
In 1836 Nathaniel Whittock’s The Modern Picture of London, Westminster, and the Metropolitan Boroughs. Containing a correct description of the most interesting objects in every part of the Metropolis; forming a complete Guide and directory for the Stranger and Resident… … Continue reading
Jane Austen's London 