Regency Era 101

Allan Ramsay, 1713-1784

When you're gone, I'll go mad,
So don't throw away this thing we had

‘Cuz when push comes to shove
I will kill your friends and family to remind you of my love

Da da da dat da dat da da da da ya da
Da da dat dat da ya da!

—- “You’ll Be Back” from Hamilton

by Lin Manuel-Miranda

Did I get that song thoroughly stuck in your head? Sorry (or you’re welcome, depending on how much you like the Hamilton musical)! I thought we could get that song rolling as some mental background music, and then we’ll get back to him in a minute . . .

This post is for anyone who may be really excited to attend the Regency Retreat this fall but are quietly, discreetly, whispering behind their hands to their friends, “What exactly is the Regency Era, now?” Let us put your mind at ease and give you a quick lesson in the Regency Era of Great Britain.

Much of Britain’s recent history is divided and named according to its kings and queens and the time periods in which they reigned. You’re probably already familiar with the Victorian Era, which was from 1837-1901, or even the Edwardian Era (the time period just before World War I, which is when the series Downton Abbey begins). But the Regency Era is a little different, in that it was a sort of sub-period during the reign of King George III.

Which brings us back to our favorite singing monarch . . .

King George III was England’s longest reigning king (out-lasted only by Queens Victoria and Elizabeth II). A few years after America’s Revolutionary War, George fell ill with either porphyria, a kind of genetic blood disorder, or bipolar disorder, no one can be sure (to read more, please see this article). He did recover, though, and was able to rule as required.

By the time he reached his 70s, however, he had been growing ill with cataracts, rheumatism, and other complaints. Then, upon the death of his daughter Amelia, he plunged into a deep melancholy (which today we would call depression), and did not recover.

In 1811, he could see that he was unfit to rule, and turned the keys of power over to his son George, Prince of Wales, who ruled as a regent until his George’s death in 1820.

In the strictest of terms, then, the Regency Era lasted from 1811-1820, but often people will refer to the Regency Era as anytime between 1795 and 1837 to encompass not only the specific time in which the prince ruled the kingdom, but the trends in fashion, architecture, literature, art, and politics characteristic of the time period.

In upcoming posts, we will dive into these subjects more deeply. Please leave a comment below to tell us which you’d like to hear about first.