Why I Write Regency Romance Novels

When I tell people that I write Regency Romance novels, their response is usually one of two things. It's either: “Regency? Oh, I love Regency!” Or: “What is Regency?”

To those who ask that second question, Regency is a specific time period in England. It officially began when King George III, who had frequent bouts of insanity, was finally declared officially mad. His son, the Prince of Wales, was named Regent in his father’s stead, although most historians agree the queen really ran the country while Price George played, caroused, and wenched his life away. He was the ultimate rake. Anyway, the Prince, sometimes referred to as “Prinny” became Regent in 1811. In 1820 King George III died. The prince was then crowned King George IV.

The expanded Regency era is often thought of as anything from the time of Jane Austen and the Napoleonic War, until the time Queen Victoria, who is credited with creating a huge moral change in the country, ascended the throne. Although some historians believe the growing influence of the non-Anglican churches had more to do with the changing values that became the Victorian ideals than Queen Victoria herself , Victoria also had a very serious - possibly even prudish - husband who probably affected society as much as or more so than Victoria.

Clothing fashions underwent a dramatic change in the Regency era. The influence of the charismatic Beau Brummel took men out of bright colors, satins and ruffles that make one think of a peacock which were so popular in the Georgian era and before, and put them into more subdued colors and styles that evolved into the modern day three-piece suite. Josephine Bonaparte, wife of the infamous Napoleon, was influential in France. She set the trends for simpler women’s fashions including flowing, empire-style gowns reminiscent of Greek gowns, which were quickly adopted by the English who, no doubt, were grateful to rid themselves of corsets, panniers, and laughable headdresses.

People lost the powdered wigs and began bathing on a regular basis. Whew, good thing, right?! The wealthy even had indoor plumbing to aid in that worthy endeavor.

While images of hedonistic pleasures often come to mind, the Regency era was also steeped in manners, honor, and duty. If a girl were discovered to have been alone with a man, she was usually considered compromised. The family expected the man to marry her, thus saving her from such a terrible fate of being ruined and thus not likely to ever marry well.

Manners were very formal and if something was not done properly, they were referred to has having bad ton. People shuddered at the thought of addressing a person to whom they had not yet been properly introduced. It was always best to be introduced by someone who knew them both. And ladies who walked up to a gentleman and spoke to him was considered ill-mannered; she should be waiting for him to approach her, and only if already acquainted. There was a protocol to everything from how many sets a lady could dance with a gentleman in one evening (two), to what to wear while walking (a walking gown).

The Regency era was also a time of great change. The Industrial Revolution made commoners wealthier than some aristocrats. Education became more readily available to the average person. New churches preached morality to the lower classes. The nobility feared a repeat of the French Revolution because of the riots, the American revolution and, more recently, the War of 1812. So, socially and economically, England experienced many changes.

I love the way people in Regency England spoke so eloquently. There was no mauling the language by the upper classes. They also had a great deal of wit. Indeed, wit was prized, and they excelled in using the understatement. Jane Austen novels are almost like poetry--each word carefully chosen for its beautiful wording, imagery, and cadence.

In Regency England, women had more freedom than in the previous era. Their freedom seemed short-lived however, as the Victorian era curtailed much of their liberty during the Regency. Women, particularly widows, had money, power and fun unlike the Victorian era which turned widows into black-clad hermits expected to mourn all their lives. In the Regency era, men did not appear keep their wives under their thumb. In fact, they each had their own interests, hobbies, and friends. And often, their own money.

Regency men and women were educated and were taught to read, dance, play music or sing, and recite poetry from a young age. They often spoke multiple languages, French in particular, and loved philosophical debates.

Regency men were civilized and treated women with courtesy by standing up when a lady entere the room, doffed their hats, curtailed their language, offered an arm, bowed, and a hundred other little things I wish men still did today. But they were also very athletic; they hunted, raced, fenced, boxed, rode horses. They were manly. Strong. Noble. Resolute. Honorable. And that is why I love them!

And that is why I write Regency Romance Novels.