The Regency Era

At the end of this month, I am attending a Regency Ball in California. I attended last year, and it was quite an eye-opener, what with the costuming and attitudes of all the participants. Some were friendly and engaging, but some were haughty and foppish. Dance cards were filled out prior to the dance, and so if you did not do that, or were not approached, you were relegated to the "wall", unless someone happened by, or you were bold enough to get up and find a partner yourself. I am much more prepared this year. And, frankly, I'm all about the outfit. If I don't dance, I will not be put out. I will just remember to take my flask, and find another wallflower willing to toast one up! (I don't know if that's quite the etiquette of the Regency folk, but I'm not going to worry about it).

So, meanwhile, I am sewing away. This year I decided on an homage to Nelson's navy, and am designing a Spencer jacket that looks like a naval officer's coat. Lots of gold braiding on a midnight blue field.

I got to thinking about the word "regency". People of this English County Dance ilk are more concerned with Jane Austen and Pride and Prejudice. But, really, what was the Regency period?! 

Well, for those who don't already know, it is the years between 1811 and 1820 when King George III was deemed unfit to rule and his son, the Prince of Wales ruled as regent in his place. When King George died in 1820, the prince became King George IV and continued on. But the idea of a regency is fraught with problems. When the child or young person is not ready to rule, then a regency or council of others "help" his or her get the job done. There is a lot of vying for position or favor, and there is "power behind the throne" that does not always have the country in mind. Sometimes the Regency refers to 1795-1837, the latter part of George III's reign, when he was still king but watched over. He was diagnosed with porphyria (a blood disease), and had some periods of lack of clarity and lucidity. 

The Regency era, socially, focused on distinctive trends of style for British literature, fashion, culture. Elegance and achievements in fine arts and architecture were everywhere. Of course, there was war with Napoleon, that eventually gained Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson tremendous fame with his winning of the Battle of the Nile and Trafalgar! There was sort of a mini-Renaissance, and great patrons helped with the building of the exotic Brighton Pavilion (at left), and the refurbishing of other fine public works. Pride and Prejudice was published in 1813, and the early steam engine was developed. Quaker prison reformer Elizabeth Fry started her work at Newgate Prison. As you can see there were many things on many fronts going on.