What’s in a Name?

Mr. Edgar Downes. Edgar. She had not wanted to know. She thought of Viking warriors and medieval knights. Edgar. Mary Balogh, A Christmas Bride “Anyone called Bertha’s got no place in a romance!” Catherynne M. Valente, The Glass Town Game Dear Amanda, In December, I was minding my own business, reading A Christmas Bride, when

Tier Ranking Popular Historical Romance Tropes

Dear Amanda, Well, it’s April. And according to Chaucer, that’s when we’re supposed to think about two things: love and hierarchies. Since my last few posts have been heavy on the history, I thought I’d do something more fun. Namely, I thought I’d find a list of popular (historical) romance tropes and tier rank them

Lighting in Regency-Era England

Dear Amanda, You know when you’re watching Bridgerton and there are these dazzling ballroom shots? Sometimes, they’re shot during the day, in which case it’s quite plausible that you can see every sequin and sparkle on a debutante’s dress. Other times, however, there’s not a window for 50 yards, or maybe it’s nighttime and I

Historical Romance: A Syllabus

Dear Amanda, When I was a college instructor, I made syllabi. Tons and tons of syllabi. I made them for my own classes (Intro to Fiction, History of the English Language, etc.). I made them for hypothetical classes (as part of my application portfolio for the job market). I made them for seminars and workshops

A Very Romantic Halloween

Dear Amanda, Did you know that Halloween party-goers in the Victorian Era (and early 20th century) were obsessed with love and romance? Halloween as we know it today is a Frankenstein’s monster of “pagan” traditions and Christian observances, combining rituals that are reminiscent of Celtic harvest festivals (like Samhain) with vigils for the dead. Costumes

Tattoos from Antiquity to the 19th Century

He pointed to the B.C. marked on the left side of his torso. “Do you know how they make these marks? … They take a board, about so big.” He measured with his hands. “And on it are protruding nails, forming the shape of the letters. They press the points of those nails into your

Corn Laws

“All I’m saying,” a very intense-looking man was shouting in Eddie’s ear, “is that the Corn Laws should concern each and every one of us.” Lex Croucher, Infamous “Tell me, what opinion do you hold on the Corn Laws?” Mr. Malcolm’s List (dir. Emma Holly Jones, 2022) Dear Amanda, In the span of a couple

Romances (That Aren’t Romances): Kelly’s Picks for Romantic Historical Film, TV, and Literature

Dear Amanda, I’ve been greatly enjoying your hot takes about Queen Charlotte, especially since I no longer have access to Netflix. I’m working on gaining a new account, since I very much want to watch Queen Charlotte as well as future Bridgerton seasons, but for now, I have to content myself with media I’ve already

The Molly Club: Queer Subculture in 18th-19th Century England

Dear Amanda, A while back, I wrote a very, very basic post about the existence of queer people in England during the Regency period (and the 19th century more broadly). The purpose was to refute claims to “historical accuracy” – the kind that insists that the only way to measure “realism” in historical fiction is

Hellfire Clubs

She knew what this group of men was. This was the Lords of Chaos, an odious secret society composed of aristocrats who enjoyed two things: power and the rape and destruction of women and children. Elizabeth Hoyt, Duke of Desire Dear Amanda, We’re read our fare share of romance novels that feature men’s social clubs,