Go-to Sites :
Here are some of my favorite internet resources for anyone writing about, or just plain interested in, 18th and 19th Century England. Trying to get historical detail correct without turning a novel into a textbook is tricky, and I’ve found these sites quick and easy--as well as generally accurate. Many are other authors' websites, but I don't think they mind if we visit.
I admit that I love the research part of writing in another period. I have to know the details before deciding what historical information to put in and what to leave out. That’s my excuse for spending so much time poking around in the past and I’m sticking with it.
Of course, these sites are just the tip of the iceberg. All the horizontal surfaces in my office—and I do mean ALL—are littered with reference books. This, of course, doesn’t mean that I haven’t made errors, but they are all mine. Okay, I’ll be honest. Sometimes I fudge.
Historical Background information: A mix of Georgian, Regency, and Victorian -
Click on the blue subject titles for direct access to the information
General Information on England – a quick and easy look at currency, weights & measures, and travel time & distances. Not extensive but fast. Here you can quickly discover how many “stones” your hero weighs and get back to typing.
British Titles of Nobility – Not updated since 1998, but my “go-to” source for what to call an earl’s daughter, etc. This site has all the titles and courtesy titles you could possible use and their correct forms are carefully explained. The table of contents takes you to all the information and there are also links to various “official” sites. Highly recommended.
A 19th Century Timeline – very easy-to-read help on what happened when. Advances in technology and science, what was going on in the arts and literature, military operations, and significant events are all divided by year and shown next to each other. This is a great way to place the world around your characters. Recommended.
London Map – 1827 - Terrific site. Street names. Layouts for the parks. The location of about everything you could want. A wonderful resource.
Regency and Victorian Medley – There is a wealth of information in the links provided. Regency information covers everything from fashion to gardening, as do the Victorian and other period links at the top. These sites have been carefully selected, so working with them is much easier than the information over-load available in places like Google.
Victorian London – if you click on The Dictionary of Victorian London, a wonderful index of “period” publications by topic appears toward the left. Here you can immerse yourself in everything from the sights a visitor to the city should see to Victorian attitudes toward sex. Lots of fascinating information with a period appropriate point of view. I don't know the gentleman who created this site, but I'd like to meet him.
The London Season – a quick overview of the time of day various things were done in the Regency period.
Speak like a Victorian - You can stay on this site or click to a wonderful contemporary dictionary for an entire book of things your characters would probably have said. Great fun!
Regency & Victorian Carriages – This site is short and easy and helps if your characters suddenly decide to go for a ride in the park. This author also has a number of other "primers" available on the right. Good information, but she will offer you multiple opportunities to join her mailing list.
18th Century Clothing – This site is presented by Colonial Williamsburg, so the emphasis is on what was worn in Colonial America, but this would be very similar to Georgian clothing in England. The Anatomy of a Gown and the Anatomy of a Suit sections are very helpful, and if you’re feeling daring, go to the interactive site, Dressing the Part. Probably designed for children, this exercise is both fascinating and frustrating. You learn the different pieces of clothing and the order in which they were put on. If you’re writing a novel with some “heat,” this is terrific, since what goes on probably comes off.
Sailing Ships – An alphabetical listing of just about every type of ship that has ever been sailed or rowed, most with pictures.
The Proceedings of the Old Bailey, 1674-1913 – The records of nearly 200,000 trials can be found here. Ideal of you need a villain.
I admit that I love the research part of writing in another period. I have to know the details before deciding what historical information to put in and what to leave out. That’s my excuse for spending so much time poking around in the past and I’m sticking with it.
Of course, these sites are just the tip of the iceberg. All the horizontal surfaces in my office—and I do mean ALL—are littered with reference books. This, of course, doesn’t mean that I haven’t made errors, but they are all mine. Okay, I’ll be honest. Sometimes I fudge.
Historical Background information: A mix of Georgian, Regency, and Victorian -
Click on the blue subject titles for direct access to the information
General Information on England – a quick and easy look at currency, weights & measures, and travel time & distances. Not extensive but fast. Here you can quickly discover how many “stones” your hero weighs and get back to typing.
British Titles of Nobility – Not updated since 1998, but my “go-to” source for what to call an earl’s daughter, etc. This site has all the titles and courtesy titles you could possible use and their correct forms are carefully explained. The table of contents takes you to all the information and there are also links to various “official” sites. Highly recommended.
A 19th Century Timeline – very easy-to-read help on what happened when. Advances in technology and science, what was going on in the arts and literature, military operations, and significant events are all divided by year and shown next to each other. This is a great way to place the world around your characters. Recommended.
London Map – 1827 - Terrific site. Street names. Layouts for the parks. The location of about everything you could want. A wonderful resource.
Regency and Victorian Medley – There is a wealth of information in the links provided. Regency information covers everything from fashion to gardening, as do the Victorian and other period links at the top. These sites have been carefully selected, so working with them is much easier than the information over-load available in places like Google.
Victorian London – if you click on The Dictionary of Victorian London, a wonderful index of “period” publications by topic appears toward the left. Here you can immerse yourself in everything from the sights a visitor to the city should see to Victorian attitudes toward sex. Lots of fascinating information with a period appropriate point of view. I don't know the gentleman who created this site, but I'd like to meet him.
The London Season – a quick overview of the time of day various things were done in the Regency period.
Speak like a Victorian - You can stay on this site or click to a wonderful contemporary dictionary for an entire book of things your characters would probably have said. Great fun!
Regency & Victorian Carriages – This site is short and easy and helps if your characters suddenly decide to go for a ride in the park. This author also has a number of other "primers" available on the right. Good information, but she will offer you multiple opportunities to join her mailing list.
18th Century Clothing – This site is presented by Colonial Williamsburg, so the emphasis is on what was worn in Colonial America, but this would be very similar to Georgian clothing in England. The Anatomy of a Gown and the Anatomy of a Suit sections are very helpful, and if you’re feeling daring, go to the interactive site, Dressing the Part. Probably designed for children, this exercise is both fascinating and frustrating. You learn the different pieces of clothing and the order in which they were put on. If you’re writing a novel with some “heat,” this is terrific, since what goes on probably comes off.
Sailing Ships – An alphabetical listing of just about every type of ship that has ever been sailed or rowed, most with pictures.
The Proceedings of the Old Bailey, 1674-1913 – The records of nearly 200,000 trials can be found here. Ideal of you need a villain.