Research is fun!

Dear Reader,

I have neglected you shamefully, but be assured I have used the time away wisely.

Firstly, I have finished the structural edit of A Deadly Dowry and will be starting the copy edit on Monday, so all is in train for a February launch. My editor is MOST encouraging, which is a relief. Next stop, the cover, which I’ll share with you when I have it.

Secondly, I went a-researching! My husband Stephen (who is also a writer) and I went on a combined research/travel expedition, to Prague, Rotterdam, Brussels and various places in England. I’ll be sharing more of that trip in future epistles.

Today I thought I might share some of the Regency fashion I saw (and dressed up in!) at Jane Austen’s house and at the Jane Austen experience.

Austen’s house is in Chawton, a small town in Hampshire. Here is the house:

It was provided to Austen’s mother, and Jane and Cassandra (her sister), by Jane’s brother, who had been adopted by rich relatives. There are a lot of parallels with Sense and Sensibility!

The house contains a lot of original furniture, including (drum roll) the actual table Jane Austen wrote on:

Note: the wallpaper is a modern copy of the original.

But what about the frocks? I hear you ask. The people running things have recreated a lot of the kind of ordinary, respectable clothing which the Austens either might have worn, or are known to have worn. And there’s a dressing up room! (How could I resist a red cloak?)

These clothes were made of cotton, and were mostly made at home - the white fichu in the bottom row was embroidered by the Austen women. The only really expensive item is the Kashmir shawl in the very fashionable Paisley print. The photo doesn’t do it justice - it really is beautiful.

The Austens lived in Bath before Rev Austen’s death, at 25 Gay St, which is now home to ‘The Jane Austen Experience’. Despite the name, it’s well worth visiting. We were escorted as a group around the house by ‘Marianne Dashwood’ and the actor was very convincing! As with the Chawton house, there is a lot fashion on display—including clothes for men and for children.

As you can see, these clothes are more elegant and no doubt more expensive than the Chawton house clothes, and this really reflects the difference in the Austens’ lives once their father had died and they lived in ‘reduced circumstances’. The fabrics include silk and velvet as well as cotton and wool, and the sewing is professional, not amateur. Just look at the shoulders of that velvet spencer!

I’m happy to answer any questions about any of these outfits, if you’re interested in knowing more.

What struck me was two things: the difference between town and country living, and how acutely Jane Austen must have understood the situation of both the Bennet girls and the Dashwoods. When one’s only support lies in the continuing health of one man, and there are no other options open to one, how precarious life is! I’ve always had a soft spot for Mrs Bennet, who seems to be the only person in Pride and Prejudice with any real understanding of economic realities, but learning more about Austen’s life made me even more sympathetic to her!

In future posts I’ll be looking at more fashion, but also at furniture and wallpaper and snuff boxes…Oh, research is fun! I learnt so much and can’t wait to share it all with you,

I remain,

Your faithful servant,

Elizabeth.