|
Grace Burrowes | Ten things I didn't know about the Victorian Era
December 6, 2012
THE BRIDEGROOM WORE
PLAID is my first venture into Victorian romances, and writing it
necessitated spending many, many hours researching the period. I came across all
manner of tidbits I couldn't widgie into the book, but would love to share: 1) Part of the reason the Thames hasn't frozen solid since 1815 is that
when the Victorians put the London sewers to rights, they narrowed the river's
channel, thus making the water flow faster. (And we haven't had the right sort
of cloud ash, either.) 2) Queen Victoria, sometimes referred to as the "Grandmother of European
Royalty," was also the source of hemophilia in several of the royal houses. 3) We have daguerreotypes of the Duke of Wellington as a handsome older
gentleman. This surprised me—Waterloo was nearly 200 years ago, and yet,
we have photographs of its hero!? 4) Queen Victoria's reign saw the first official air mail, which in 1890
used homing pigeons to carry messages between the islands of New Zealand. 5) Victorian doctors were the first to introduce women to the use of
vibrators to achieve orgasm. Yes, you read that correctly. 6) The Great Stink in 1858 (before those sewers were put to rights) was
soooo bad, the houses of Parliament closed. 7) The science of epidemiology got its start with the deadly cholera
outbreaks in mid-19th century London, and the Victorians were the
first to recognize "industrial" diseases (phosphorus poisoning among match
girls) too. 8) Queen Victoria thought the enormous, exaggerated hoop skirts of the mid
1850s "stupid and dangerous," and more than one lady stood too close to a fire
with tragic results. Victoria never wore them. 9) The Victorian medical establishment considered the suffering of
childbirth a woman's deserved fate as a result of Eve's sin. Queen Victoria
begged to differ, using anesthetic chloroform for the birth of her last two
children, and making it an acceptable option for women throughout her realm. 10) Something I didn't find in any one research article: I really enjoyed
setting a trilogy in this dynamic, fascinating time period, and hope to write
many more Victorian romances. New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Grace Burrowes keeps
winning reader awards for her gorgeously imagined books. If you're already a
fan, you'll devour her new characters and if you haven't yet discovered the
richly drawn worlds of Grace Burrowes, you're in for a treat.... His Family or His Heart — One of Them Will Be Betrayed... Ian MacGregor is wooing a woman who's wrong for him in every way. As the new
Earl of Balfour, though, he must marry an English heiress to repair the family
fortunes. But in his intended's penniless chaperone, Augusta, Ian is finding everything
he's ever wanted in a wife. "Historical details enrich Burrowes's intimate and erotic story, but the real
stars are her vibrant characters and her masterful ear for dialogue. Burrowes is
superb at creating connections that feel honest and real." —Publishers
Weekly, Starred Review "Memorable heroes. Intelligent, sensual love stories. This author knows what
romance readers adore." —RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars ABOUT THE AUTHOR Grace Burrowes
is a bestselling and award-winning author of historical romances. Her debut, THE HEIR, was selected as a
Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year for 2010 in the romance category,
and LADY SOPHIE'S CHRISTMAS
WISH won RT Book Reviews Reviewer's Choice Award for Best Historical
Romance of 2011 and was also nominated for the prestigious RWA RITA award. The
author of the bestsellers THE HEIR, THE SOLDIER and LADY MAGGIE'S SECRET
SCANDAL, Grace is a practicing attorney and lives in rural Maryland. She'll
conclude to the Windham Family Series with Lady Jenny's story in October 2013,
and will begin a new regency series with DARIUS in April 2013. The next
book in Grace's Scottish Victorian series, ONCE UPON A TARTAN, will be in
stores in August 2013. Please visit http://www.graceburrowes.com/ or
follow her on Twitter: @GraceBurrowes for more information.
Comments
72 comments posted.
Re: Grace Burrowes | Ten things I didn't know about the Victorian Era
Thank you for sharing your research with us. I find the Victorian times fascinating and love reading stories based in that time. Victoria was a trailblazer in so many ways that we take for granted in modern times.
(Jill Wigfield 12:12pm December 4, 2012)
Your research tidbits were very interesting. I enjoy historical fiction and am looking forward to reading your new book.
(Bonnie H 10:23am December 5, 2012)
Sounds like another winner from you! :) Love your books. :)
(May Pau 11:25am December 6, 2012)
I enjoy reading historical romances. They satisfy my love of history, reading, and romance!
(Cheryl Castings 11:47am December 6, 2012)
I really liked this post and love hearing about tidbits and research an author does when writing a story. We own a family album with daguerreotypes in it that my grandfather used while he was doing our genealogy. He got us back to the 1600s in Zeppenfeld, Germany. They are so cool to look at! Your tidbit #5... I've seen an advertisement online about that, LOL! I wish I knew where I saw it at and I would put the link here. It was a drawing of a woman standing against a table and the doctor had his hands up her skirt and it was advertizing a massager. TOO funny!
(Leah Weller 2:14pm December 6, 2012)
Thanks for an interesting list of facts!
(G. Bisbjerg 2:15pm December 6, 2012)
I enjoyed reading the tidbits, they were very interesting. I love reading books set in the Victorian times but I wouldn't have liked to live in those times.
(Rita Wray 2:50pm December 6, 2012)
I'm always fascinated by new facts that I learn about the British, and when they have to do with the Royal Family, it's a plus!! Thank you for taking the time to do the extra digging for your book!! I can't wait to read it!! I know it's going to be one that I'll enjoy. Even the story line sounds like a winner!! Congratulations on your book. I hope you have a Merry Christmas, and a Great New Year!!
(Peggy Roberson 3:06pm December 6, 2012)
What I truly enjoy about your books is that they are different. The plots are
intriguing and the characters someone you want to know or root for. Your
solutions make so much sense, Thank you for so many hours of enjoyment
provided by your extensive research and hard work. Please keep writing. Now
that I've found you I don't want to lose you and all your good work.
(Sandra Spilecki 3:32pm December 6, 2012)
I found those tidbits just fascinating. Now I want to read your book to discover even more about the era.
(Sue Farrell 3:35pm December 6, 2012)
Hi, Grace! I recently read the latest biography of Elizabeth, The Queen
Mother. I have always been a royalist and read every biography of the English
royals that I can find. While I felt like this latest novel was rather snarky about
her, it did have quite a few enlightening tidbits about English history in
general that I thought were quite interesting. I recall reading somewhere
about the introduction of the vibrator and I also knew that hemophilia was in
the royal family. However, I never could find where it appeared to originate.
Thanks for these little nuggets of knowledge. I love to learn little things like
this. I know I've told you before how much I love your novels and I'm so
looking forward to reading "The Bridegroom Wore Plaid." Thanks for sharing
this today! All the best.
Connie Fischer
[email protected]
(Connie Fischer 3:56pm December 6, 2012)
I love historical romances and I love them to be accurate. Thanks for sharing.
(Phyllis Lamken 4:09pm December 6, 2012)
Hi, Grace! Thanks so much for the interesting facts about Victorian times. I love to read historicals, and I love your books.
(Cathy Phillips 4:30pm December 6, 2012)
men in kilts- GOOD! would LOVE to win & read! PICK ME!!
(Pamela Faye Howell 4:38pm December 6, 2012)
Those were interesting facts.
(Maureen Emmons 5:04pm December 6, 2012)
I knew about #5... doctors used to perform it manually.. it was for female hysteria, I believe.
(Cate Sparks 5:12pm December 6, 2012)
Your venture into writing Victorian romances sounds like it turned up quite a few amazing tidbits of historical interest.
(Robin McKay 5:23pm December 6, 2012)
I love Historical Romances, you can actually learn something from them sometimes.
Thank you for sharing the research, I didn't know those 10 things either.
(Alisa Jenkins 7:05pm December 6, 2012)
Thanks for the interesting info on the Victorian Age, I never would have though some of these things came from that time!!
(Joyce Bruner 7:14pm December 6, 2012)
I always enjoy learning some historical facts when I read -
those were all so interesting. I'd love to be a researcher
for a living.
(Diane Sallans 7:35pm December 6, 2012)
Love reading well researched historical fiction. Thanks for sharing.
(Mary C 8:23pm December 6, 2012)
those are indeed some pretty interesting facts. thanks for sharing & congrats on the new release
(d Kenney 8:30pm December 6, 2012)
Very interesting!!! Congrats on the release.
(Martha Lawson 9:34pm December 6, 2012)
I don't know much about the Victorian Age. Hardly anything exciting happened during that period. I know that Sherlock Holmes became well known. Jack the Ripper is terrorizing during this period. OK, I just seemed to know more about the crimes that were happening during this period than the social, political, or economic issues.
(Kai Wong 9:36pm December 6, 2012)
True? Brides didn't wear white, and I'm wondering how many grooms donned
their plaids?
(Suzanne Gonneville 9:51pm December 6, 2012)
I didn't know that Queen Victoria was so progressive in her views on
women. Maybe she was just opinionated, but I like how she didn't care
what the men thought she didvitvanyway.
(Ann Sheiring 9:53pm December 6, 2012)
Tidbit #5 is good to know.
(Jan D 10:15pm December 6, 2012)
This book looks wonderful! Congrats on its release!!
(MaryAnne Banks 11:08pm December 6, 2012)
Thanks for sharing, that research was really interesting. Happy Holidays!
(Chelsea Knestrick 12:31pm December 7, 2012)
Love all the facts you posted,thank you. Happy holidays.
(Holly Vanderhule 1:51am December 7, 2012)
Loved the tidbits of information! How do you not get sidetracked when you're doing research for a story?
(p c 2:04am December 7, 2012)
Interesting stuff! :) Hope to win!!
(Penny Mettert 3:12am December 7, 2012)
For those of you interested in more information regarding No. 5, the movie "Hysteria" deals with the topic more or less factually, but also humorously. With respect to wedding gowns, in the Regency period, the dress was likely to be simply a girl's Sunday best, but in the Victorian era, the "wedding gown" came into vogue. I believe (don't quote me) Victoria was the one who made the white gown popular, though by no means mandatory.
Queen Victoria was progressive in many ways for her time, but married to a very traditional man, whom she reportedly adored. Nine children support that report rather convincingly. She and Albert also collected nude drawings, and her diaries confirm that she enjoyed her conjugal duties very much.
(Grace Burrowes 8:56am December 7, 2012)
Wow, I am glad to read about Queen Victoria regarding Child
Birth and all the other great facts about the Victorian Era
and thanks for sharing these facts with us. Please enter me
in your fantastic contest. Thank You very much and Happy
Holidays everyone! Thanks, Cecilia CECE
(Cecilia Dunbar Hernandez 9:14am December 7, 2012)
I love your books and I sure I will love this one too. Historical romance is my favorite. Queen Victoria sure put her own special touch to this era!
(Betty Hamilton 9:19am December 7, 2012)
I love seeing the research behind stories. Sometimes authors
get so excited about their research they try to squeeze in
every fact they can. Thank you for putting those facts as an
aside instead.
(Karin Anderson 9:50am December 7, 2012)
I love romances...hope I win this one!! Thanks so much
(Bonnie Capuano 10:14am December 7, 2012)
Thanks for sharing the research Grace. I love how things can change due to the influence of just a single person. Thanks for the chance to win a new book. Hope I win!
(Lynsey Peterson 10:38am December 7, 2012)
I love reading interesting little bits of history like that. I haven't read your new book yet-I've been putting it off because once it's read I have to wait for another one. Thanks for writing such great stories!!
(Julie Taylor 10:46am December 7, 2012)
I can hardly wait for this! The Duke of Moreland series is wonderful.
Blessings,
Marjorie
(Marjorie Carmony 10:51am December 7, 2012)
I always enjoy reading about the Victorian era. Grace and elegance existed. But glad I don't have to dress like that anymore. Would love to be entered to win. Hope I'm in on time.
jrs362 at hotmail dot com
(Jane Squires 10:51am December 7, 2012)
Interesting facts on the Victorian era. I love reading romance novels set in this time period.
(Bonnie DeRosa 10:52am December 7, 2012)
I love interesting historical facts in my books. I always tell
people - I learned this in a romance novel!
(Sharyn Lewis 11:00am December 7, 2012)
What interesting little tidbits! Thanks for sharing them with
us. I've got the book already on my Kindle. Now I just have to
make the time to get started reading it for I know once I
start I won't be able to stop.
(Valerie LaMont 11:22am December 7, 2012)
Sounds like another winner for you. Thanks for a chance to be
a winner, too.
(Mary Hay 11:29am December 7, 2012)
I think there is a lot of magic in the Victorian era, and a great book only helps!
(Sandy Fielder 11:30am December 7, 2012)
I love Historical Romances and I cant wait to read this one
Happy Holidays
(Julie Parrish 11:48am December 7, 2012)
I enjoy reading novels containing historical information. Makes me appreciate the time and dedication spent by the author in researching and weaving these facts in with the storyline. Thank you for the opportunity to learn more about Queen Victoria through the factual tidbits you shared.
(Beth Charette 12:29pm December 7, 2012)
Thanks for sharing the facts you found during your research... love historicals and this sounds like one I would enjoy!
(Colleen Conklin 12:30pm December 7, 2012)
I'm fascinated by the unusual information you located about the Victorian era. I especially wanted to give Queen Victoria a big hug for her contribution to women giving birth during that period of time. Thanks for sharing with us and especially a big thanks for giving us a chance to win THE BRIDEGROOM WORE PLAID.
(Anna Speed 1:04pm December 7, 2012)
Amazing information - especially number five - LOL - thank you for sharing this with us and for the opportunity to win this book!
(Felicia Ciaudelli 1:19pm December 7, 2012)
I love everything Victorian. My husband and I attended a week Elderhostel and the theme was "all things Victorian".
It was the best program we have attended and we especially loved the evening on Victorian Dancing...Oh, the gowns were beautiful beyond belief. Would love to win your book.
Happy Holidays.
Patricia Pascale
(Patricia (Pat) Pascale 1:50pm December 7, 2012)
Enjoyed reading your tidbits of information, they were all new to me. Looking forward to reading your new book.
(Sheila True 2:23pm December 7, 2012)
With respect to things changing... I do think we have to hold the Victorians somewhat responsible for "cleaning up" our perception of the Regency. We're supposed to think men NEVER married their mistresses in the Regency (they did); such a mistress could NEVER become respectable (she could, though it took time, luck and charm), the classes never intermarried (they did, particularly where money was involved), and illegitimacy was a nasty little secret (not always, can you say FitzClarence?). Victoria's poet laureate, William Wordsworthy, had a half French illegitimate daughter. His legitimate daughter spent much of her energies trying to suppress all mention of her half sister.
While papa wrote his romantic poetry...
VERY interesting periods, the Georgian, Regency, and Victorian, and some figures, like Wellington, straddled them all.
(Grace Burrowes 2:42pm December 7, 2012)
I love the Victorian period and the Sherlock Holmes stories and other ones. I heard of the movie Hysteria before. It's going to be premiering on Starz in January.
(Michelle Fidler 2:48pm December 7, 2012)
Thanks for sharing and the book.
(Shelby S 4:21pm December 7, 2012)
My grandparents lived around London in the Victorian time so I find it very
interesting to read about.
(Sandy Smith 5:28pm December 7, 2012)
y great contest
(Kent Cook 5:50pm December 7, 2012)
I had no idea. I do love it, though, when authors dedicate time to researching history. It makes their books so much better.
(Debbie Penny 6:08pm December 7, 2012)
looks great
(Janet Gould 7:00pm December 7, 2012)
thanks for sharing all those interesting tidbits about Victorian history. I didn't know any of it.
(Carolyn Overholser 7:31pm December 7, 2012)
love men in Kilts.
(Deb Pelletier 9:00pm December 7, 2012)
sounds like a trip back to a fantastic era, thanks for the chance
(Debbi Shaw 9:14pm December 7, 2012)
Interesting tidbits. Enjoy your books and look forwardto reading The Bridegroom Wore Plaid.
(Janie McGaugh 11:09pm December 7, 2012)
Loved the list. Thank you so much for enlightening me!
(Molly Wilsbacher 11:20pm December 7, 2012)
Book sounds interesting. Thanks for giving me a chance to win it.
(Linda Hall 11:56pm December 7, 2012)
Grace - you are a new favorite author! A tidbit for your readers- Queen Victoria introduced Christmas trees to England because of Prince Albert's German heritage.
(Dana Wong 1:31am December 8, 2012)
Queen Victoria was so ahead of her time.
(Kathy Sullivan 8:03pm December 8, 2012)
I love historical romance and its so great when the infor in accurate
Debbie Rudder
(Debbie Rudder 8:21pm December 8, 2012)
I loved the historical facts thank you.
(Mary Preston 3:51am December 9, 2012)
I think they used perfume, potpourri and pomanders to cover up the smells in homes back then. Also lavendar essential oil on a handerchief made for a dainty way of creating a bit of aura to offset the upleasant odors.
(Alyson Widen 5:49pm December 9, 2012)
The facts are lovely, and reflect the difference a respected woman can have on society... pity she had to be queen first.
(Clare O'Beara 9:13am December 10, 2012)
Registered users may leave comments.
Log in or register now!
| 
© 2003-2024 off-the-edge.net
all rights reserved Privacy Policy