The Marriage Drama of Frances Vane Stewart, 3rd Marchioness of Londonderry

Lady Frances Anne Emily Vane-Tempest, Marchioness of Londonderry (1800-1865) and her Son George Henry Robert Charles William Vane-Tempest, Viscount Seaham, later 5th Marquess of Londonderry (1821-1884) by Thomas Lawrence, public domain

By Lauren Gilbert

The Hon. Frances Anne Vane Tempest was born January 17, 1800, in St. James’s Square, London.  Frances Anne was admired and respected for her successes as a political and a society hostess, her business acumen, and her position in society. She capably ran estates in England and Ireland, and was known for being strong minded.  Her background certainly prepared her to think for herself, to trust her own judgment, and to stand her ground.  Her parents were fascinating people in their own rights.

To read more about Frances, and her intriguing background, visit the English Historical Fiction Authors blog here: https://englishhistoryauthors.blogspot.com/2022/09/the-marriage-drama-of-frances-vane.html

Image via Wikimedia Commons: Photo by Franzy89 April 4, 2020.

A Visit to the Seaside: Worthing

The pier, Worthing, England-Print No. 11333-Between 1890-1900-Wikimedia Commons-Public Domain

As we ease into spring and then summer, people start thinking of vacations. What could be better than a trip to the beach? During the Georgian era, watering places became popular destinations year round because of the possible health benefits of taking the waters and sea bathing. Where did people go? There were a number of popular spas and watering places; one of these was Worthing, on the Sussex coast of Great Britain, which has a fascinating history. My blog about Worthing is up on the English Historical Fiction Authors blog. Here’s a snippet:

Located on the coast in West Sussex, Worthing is between 50-60 miles south of London, and 10-12 miles west of Brighton and Hove (depending on routes taken).  It has a long and fascinating history.

Stone Age people were in the area approximately 60,000 years ago. By the New Stone Age or Neolithic era (between about 4000 BCE to about 2000BCE), Worthing was the centre of flint mining; Romans also settled the area.  The Iron Age (about 750 BCE-about 43 AD) hillfort Cissbury Ring is the largest hill fort in Sussex, and the 2^nd largest in England.  It contains one of the Neolithic flint mines found in the area.

To read more about Worthing, and its development, please visit https://englishhistoryauthors.blogspot.com/2022/04/a-visit-to-seaside-worthing.html

Sunshine State Book Festival

UPDATE 1/13/2022: THIS EVENT IS POSTPONED! I will post an update when the new dates are available.

Sat, Jan 29, 2022 – Mon, Jan 31, 2022

Happy New Year!

The Sunshine State Book Festival is just a few weeks away, and I’m looking forward to meeting fellow book lovers there! Not only will my book A RATIONAL ATTACHMENT be available for sale, but you’ll be able to find more great books from other local authors. This is a family-friendly event; you’ll be able to find books for readers of all ages, along with activities for the kiddos. Visit the Facebook page for more information: https://www.facebook.com/events/3131724010396396/

Hope to see you there!

What’s next?

The Tampa Indie Authors Book Convention was a lot of fun. There were a lot of great authors and readers who came. It was so nice to get out and talk to book people again!

Ready to go!

Always good to talk to people.

So what’s next? Coming soon, next month in fact, is Orlando Reads Books from August 26-29, 2021. The author signing event will be held on Saturday, August 28, 2021. You can visit the web page here for more information: https://orlandoreadsbooks.com/. There is also a Facebook page you can visit: https://www.facebook.com/OrlandoReadsBooks I hope to see you there!

Col. Brandon: Romantic Hero

On Sunday, April 25, 2021, JASNA Palm Beaches Region will be hosting a zoom meeting. Col. Brandon as a romantic hero will be the topic of our discussion, and I will be leading that discussion!

I’m very excited about this! For more information, please visit our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/JASNAPalmBeaches .

Coffee Pot Book Club

Today, A RATIONAL ATTACHMENT is featured on the Coffee Pot Book Club! Please take a peek here: https://maryanneyarde.blogspot.com/2020/09/check-out-lauren-gilberts-fabulous-book.html

The Countess Dowager of Carlisle

Over on the English Historical Fiction Authors blog, my post on an unconventional woman is up today.  The Honorable Isabella Byron married Henry Howard, 4th Earl of Carlisle.  After fifteen years of marriage, the earl died, and Isabella went on to live an unconventional life.  To read more about her, go HERE.

 

Author Spotlight: Lynn Bryant Blog Tour; This Blighted Expedition

On Paula Lofting’s blog, “The Road To HAastings And Other Stories, author Lynn Bryant discusses her new release THIS BLIGHTED EXPEDITION.

via Author Spotlight: Lynn Bryant Blog Tour; This Blighted Expedition

The Duke of Wellington’s Female Circle: Frances, Lady Shelley

Lady Shelley, from a miniature by G. Sanders, in the possession of Spencer Shelley Esq.

Over on the English Historical Fiction Author’s blog, we meet Frances, Lady Shelley, a dear friend and correspondent of the Duke of Wellington.

Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington, was known to enjoy women, particularly pretty, intelligent women. He was credited with many mistresses (whether or not true) and he had many women friends whose company he enjoyed. One of these women was Frances, Lady Shelley. Lady Shelley was a notable diarist.

Frances was born in June 16, 1787 at Preston, Lancashire. Her father was Thomas Winckley, and her mother was Jacintha Dalrymple Hesketh. Originally known as Janet or Jennet, Jacintha was the previously-widowed sister of the famous courtesan Grace Dalrymple Elliot, whose family had a connection to the Earl of Peterborough. Jacintha and Thomas were descended of Jacobite families and they married in 1785. Thomas was about 17 years older than Jacintha. Jacintha had children (5 daughters and a son) by her first husband. Apparently Thomas did not care for the Hesketh connection; only one of Lady Shelley’ half-siblings lived in the household with her and her parents, and they rarely met the Hesketh siblings. The household was not a particularly happy one; Thomas spent a lot of time with his cronies, drank heavily and liked to play pranks. Accounts indicate that Thomas was quite well off. Shortly after moving his family to Larkhill, Thomas died in 1794, leaving his widow, their daughter Frances and 2 illegitimate sons. Jacintha inherited the house and furniture; the residue of Thomas’ estate was left to Frances, who was 6 years old….

To read more, visit the English Historical Fiction Author’s blog HERE.

Illustration is a scan of the image in my personal copy of THE DIARY OF FRANCES LADY SHELLEY 1787-1817 Edited by her grandson Richard Edgcumbe. 1912: John Murray, London.

Sources are listed in the post on the English Historical Fiction Authors blog.

Worcester Cathedral

My husband and I just got back from a wonderful trip abroad. One of the fabulous places we visited was the city of Worcester, where we were able to spend time at the Cathedral

It was a rather overcast, misty morning as we approached the cathedral. Once inside, however, it was truly awe-inspiring.

They were preparing for a wedding later in the day, and there was singing. It was unbelievably beautiful.

As we proceeded, the incredible architecture and the beautiful windows were almost overpowering.

We also saw the tomb of King John, best known for signing the Magna Carta on June 15, 1215, who died October 19, 1216. Amazing to think that he has remained here all these centuries.

Worcester Cathedral is also the burial place of Arthur, Prince of Wales, son of Henry VII, who died at age 15 shortly after his marriage to Catherine of Aragon. (Note there is no effigy or likeness on his tomb.)

The present building was built under Saint Wulfstan, with building beginning in 1084. (There had been cathedrals since since Anglo-Saxon times, which the current structure replaced.) There was also a monastery which continued until it was dissolved under Henry VIII. During the Civil Wars, the Cathedral was badly damaged (the Battle of Worcester, which took place on September 3, 1651 was the last battle, where Oliver Cromwell’s Parliamentarian army defeated the Royalists). After the Restoration of Charles II and the monarchy, a great deal of rebuilding was undertaken. The largest campaign of renovation occurred during the Victorian era between 1854-1875. The Cathedral as it stands today is a magnificent structure, well worth a visit.

(All photographs are perstonal, taken by the author, after purchasing a permit at the Cathedra.)