A USAToday bestselling author, Gina Danna has spent the better part of her life reading. History has always been her love and she spent numerous hours devouring historical romance stories, always dreaming of writing one of her own. After years of writing historical academic papers she finally found time to write her own historical romantic novels. Learn more about Gina and her books at her website.
Celebrating the Holidays – Regency style
As the holidays approach today, in the 21st century, now is when we rev-up for all the festivities. We moan Christmas decorations arriving in the stores prior to Halloween (and in some, at the end of August!), but by November, we anxiously prepare for getting through Thanksgiving to put up our Christmas tree, decorate our homes, and shop for the perfect gift! Soon, sleigh bells will be ringing as buildings blink their holiday lights at night. Ah, tradition!
But truly, this version of the holidays is not that old. Christmas as a commercial celebration did not swing into gear until the late 19th century, well past the Regency era. Yes, I can hear you asking didn’t they celebrate during Jane Austen’s time? Yes, but be prepared for anything other than the Hallmark movies.
During the Regency era and before, Christmas time was celebrating the birth of the Christ child. Often times, mass was a midnight affair, with families going en masse to it with an early fancy breakfast afterward. Churches that did not have the midnight service, offered an early morning affair, elaborate on music and jubilation on Mary and Joseph’s expected child. Again, a large breakfast was held afterward.
But wait – what about presents and the Christmas tree? The tree itself was part of the Germanic culture celebration – the Tannenbaum tree, introduced to the English (and then American) society when Queen Victorian married Prince Edward, who was of Germanic descent.
Originally, Queen Victoria had a small evergreen on a table, like a centerpiece, lit with candles on the limbs. These candles, hung with a weighted stand so as to balance it, were lit Christmas morning, prior to the children coming to breakfast. A bucket of sand stood nearby in case there was an accident. As to the gifts, originally these were more for the children. Not toys, per se, but candies, an orange (which was particularly prized, since it was not in season), stockings, and a doll or model horse. These were hung, unwrapped, on the tree. So the scene must have been spectacular, even though short-lived.
Also, keep in mind, Christmas celebrations continued for the next twelve days with parties and merriment. There were balls and visits to neighbors. In the New World, oftentimes (during the Victorian era for sure), these twelve days were frequently the times when slaves were given ‘freedom’ from chores, to be with their families. The making of the Yuletide log was a point of reference to this practice, for as long as it burned, slaves had free time, so when they were sent to find the Yuletide log, they looked for the greenish stump, since green wood smoldered longer.
For our Regency period, this was also the time of house parties, where guests stayed for a week or longer. At these parties there were dances, fancy dinners, parlor games, and hunts. A fun time for all! And if true love was discovered, it was the greatest gift of them all! Merry Christmas!
A Merry Wicked Christmas
Lady Marina Lockhart's dreams of her upcoming Season debut are squashed by her father's news of an arranged marriage. An unexpected invitation to attend a country Christmas house party with her cousin carries the improbable hope of meeting a gentleman who will save her.
After a disastrous engagement, Phineas Carrollton, the Marquis of Huntington, buries himself in the affairs of running his country estate but begrudgingly agrees to host his sister's Christmas festivities. When he meets the lovely Lady Marina, his dismal mood is swept away by a passion he believed was dead inside him.
A sudden snowstorm strands Phineas and Marina at a hidden cottage, but her hopes of marriage vanish when he weaves a story concealing their time together, shattering her heart and dreams to save her from a loveless match, for she has fallen for the dashing Marquis. She obeys her father's summons to return to London for the wedding, holding in her heart the cherished memory of Phineas, a flame for the bleak years of marriage she faces. Unable to deny that Marina has ignited his heart, Phineas refuses to believe that she loves anyone but him. His headlong rush to London to stop the wedding will be only the beginning of his challenge.
Buy Links
2 comments:
Thank you for having me!!!
Happy to have you, Gina!
Post a Comment