Christmastide in the ‘Age of Austen’ Regency Revels, Georgian Gambols & Festive Fare' - Poster / Flyer

For those who care to share, here is an event poster / flyer (A5) for the Christmastide in the ‘Age of Austen’ Regency Revels, Georgian Gambols & Festive Fare'

Mrs. Leach Christmastide in the ‘Age of Austen’ Regency Revels, Georgian Gambols & Festive Fare

*PLEASE NOTE EDIT: the next event is planned to take place on 20 Dec. 2017, 7 - 8.30 pm, at Mrs. Leach's establishment in Derby. 

As my most-loved time in all the year, I am exceedingly pleased to be able to provide an event that revels in the beliefs of customs Christmases past: 'Christmastide in the ‘Age of Austen’ Regency Revels, Georgian Gambols & Festive Fare'.

I hope that this seasonal offering will become an annual tradition in itself; this year's December talk  - which forms part of the series of events that I intend to hold until summer 2018, concentrating on the time in which Britain's favourite female author lived and died, as part of the Bicentenary commemorations - will focus on the 'Age of Austen'

Centring on the 1770s - 1810s, the Christmastide talk considers celebrations before those of the Victorian period, with which many today are more familiar. In order to explore continuities (some of which have evolved into modern-day practices) and change (resulting in the loss of once popular customs), I will also include information about the two decade's between Jane Austen's death, and the start of Queen Victoria's reign, thus examining the late Georgian & Regency eras more fully, and including an array of attractive and intriguing material. 

I shall approach the topic through a number of themes to over-view attitudes, beliefs, and customs of the time surrounding Christmas past and present, using Jane Austen's work, and early biographies; a range of written and audio sources and images, including diaries and letters, newspapers & magazines, literature, poetry, and music; prints & art; and - of course, from an archaeological perspective - various aspects of material culture. This array of sources will pay particular attention to Derby, Derbyshire, and the East Midlands. 

The themes begin with 'Ancient Origins & Antiquarian 'Inventions'. This will touch upon pre-Roman, Classical, Medieval and Early Modern traditions, by considering Antiquarian interest in and '(re-)envisioning' of Christmas customs in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It will explore concerns of the 'Austen Age' that Christmas and other ancient English customs were under threat, considering how this related to war, urbanisation, and industrialisation, and  measures taken to preserve 'olde' ways. (This will integrate my own ongoing research into the effects of Antiquarianism upon ritual and belief in the past).

The second theme, 'Festive Families and Community Care', will explore Christmas trade and travel, briefly considering commerce, holidays, and transportation - notably that popular seasonal motif: coach travel; and the most significant factor of the Victorian (and subsequent) Christmas: the family. It will also touch upon faith and belief; and explore charity and gift-giving at Christmas time.

The final theme - 'Festive Food, Fun, and Games' - will look at seasonal amusements & pastimes, including the theatre, community entertainments, and domestic traditions, such as card-playing and party games. No exploration of Christmas would be complete without a foray into food and drink, which will conclude the talk, considering recipes of the day, and how food and drink was integrated with the Christmas calendar, and customs.

The event will be held in the 'common parlour' of the 'Academy', which (though limiting the number of available places)[1] enables the creation of a cosy 'atmosphere', through colour and candlelight, fabrics and furniture (& possibly firelight!),[2] and material culture and costume. I will as usual (in the guise of Mrs. Leach) be clothed in period dress - and 'Academy pupils' garbed in their own Regency- and late Georgian-style attire will be welcome!

Tickets cost £3.50 pp (purchases online accruing an additional Eventbrite fees of 87p), and may be obtained online by clicking this link; the 'Buy Tickets' button bellow; the 'Register' buttons at the top right of the webpage, or by using the form at the end of this post.

Update: Early Bird offer has now expired, but there's a discount of £1 for those who attend in Regency costume! Enter the promo code Costume_Concession

Tickets may also be obtained on request by email: antiquarianacademy@gmail.com, or text: 07903 237953 (Paypal); or by post: Lymehurst, 1 West Park Rd., Derby, DE22 1GG (cheque & SAE).

For more information, see the Eventbrite page; Facebook event page; Twitter: @LadyAntiquary; or by text, email, or post.

It would be great to know if readers are interested in this event - even if unable to attend (so that I might better plan this and future events), using website comments, Twitter, Facebook; or email. 

I hope to see some readers at the event! 

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Notes

[1] A minimum number of places need to be filled for the event to proceed.

[2] Should conditions be suitable.

Mrs. Leach's Academy - One Year On!

In preparing for the next event (a very brief & preliminary information on which may be found in the previous post, here), I realise that one year has passed since my first post  - and effectively launched this blog, and the ‘Academy’. 

A lot has happened since that time, and I have learned much from, and in all immensely enjoyed, my endeavours. This has included exhibitions on material culture of the late Georgian eras, and preparations for two forthcoming talks: ‘Christmastide in the ‘Age of Austen’: Regency Revels, Georgian Gambols and Festive Fare’ (Sat. 16 Dec. 2017) & ‘Ghosts of Christmas Past: Late Georgian Death, Ritual and Belief’ (Fri 5 Jan. 2018), more on which I will post over the next few weeks.

Most of my research time has been (& will continue to be) taken up by reading historical & archaeological works (including many dry reports) relating to the topics I study and teach. But it also includes research at archives & museums, and on private collections; and visits to, and surveys & recording of, archaeological sites (mainly domestic buildings & graveyards as part of the community & public projects that I run, some images of which I have placed online – as an aide memoir, as much as for public interest).[i] In addition, I spend much time sourcing, procuring, and producing display material; and labours include numerous yards, fathoms, poles & chains (perhaps even miles?!) of sewing, in making period costumes for events.[ii] At present, completed garments comprise two caps; one ‘chemise’ (night-gown-like garment worn beneath stays) & one ‘chemisette’ (a blouse-like garment worn above stays & beneath the gown); one pair of stays (a corset-like garment); a 1790s cotton / sateen chemise day-dress (a gown with a gathered bodice); a 1810s printed cotton ‘apron-front’ dress (a gown with a drop-front bodice); an 1800s ‘cross-over’ cotton / sateen mourning dress.[iii]

Although I have learned from mistakes, as well as successes, I still have one major regret: that work on the events over the last 12 months has allowed little time to write. This has precluded academic publications, as well as limiting blogging – and, I anticipate, is unlikely to change any time soon, bearing in mind the talks & tours I am currently planning.[iv] But I hope to at least continue to provide updates, with some snippets of research, and reports on preparations, whenever possible.

I look forward to another year of ‘Academy’ life, and (as always) to seeing readers at future events!

---

[i] This includes displays on the various project & other websites (Living in the Past; PSP; Malefic Midlands; Notes of an Antiquary) I run; and on photo-sharing sites, primarily on Flickr (Mrs. Leach; Notes of an Antiquary).

[ii] A ‘day in the life of’ Mrs. Leach seems to have slipped into the work patterns adopted during my 11-year employment in doctoral studies, and tends to be divided into various tasks, around which those troublesome requirements of eating & sleeping must be accommodated. I consequently tend to reserve the often (though certainly not always) pleasant occupation of needlework for evenings (between daily data research & educational planning: c. 8am – c. 5pm; early evening preparation of teaching session materials: c. 5-8 pm; & nighttime background reading research: c. 10 – 12pm), to make indulgence in that dreadful modern habit of ‘watching TV’ more productive. However, ‘when possible’ is necessarily appended to this time-table due to various ailments & disabilities (I am, it must be admitted, quite an old woman, and medical provisions are not what they should be...)

[iii] Garments also in progress include another chemise & chemisette; another pair of stays; several hats and caps; two pairs of leather slippers & silk gloves; a velvet ‘spencer’ jacket & ‘pelise’ coat; ‘embellishments’ and fastenings to add to the morning gown; and other sundries.

[iv] Although a co-authored short piece regarding that stalwart archaeologist of the early - mid 20^th century, Mortimer Wheeler, in WWI, is about to be published here. Information on this work will soon be placed on Academia research profile, should anyone be interested in this topic.

Christmastide in the ‘Age of Austen’ Regency Revels, Georgian Gambols & Festive Fare

Christmas is coming to town!!

Mrs. Leach is pleased to announce her next event - Christmastide in the ‘Age of Austen’ Regency Revels, Georgian Gambols and Festive Fare!

For now, here’s an outline – more to come soon...

Join Georgian lady antiquary Mrs. Leach to discover Christmas customs, traditions, and pastimes of the late 1700s and early 1800s, and revive Regency revelries, rituals, and recipes for this feast of festivities fun games! 

As part of a series of events that commemorate the 200-year anniversary of Jane Austen’s death, Georgian lady antiquary Mrs. Leach explores entertainments, beliefs, and rites of the late Georgian and Regency Christmastide.

Through a range of local, regional, & broader material, including literary works, letters, and early biographies of Britain’s best-loved female author; and informed by ongoing original research; discover seasonal celebrations of the ‘Austen Age’.

Find out how rapid urban and industrial expansion; improvements in travel and trade; and enlightenment learning and thought affected views of Christmas past, and transformed traditions. Uncover long forgotten festivities, and the origins of observances that developed through the Victorian era, and remain familiar today.

Saturday 16 Dec. 2017, 3.30 - 5.00 pm, At the ‘Antiquarian Academy’, Derby 

Tickets: Early Bird £3 p.p. / Standard £3.50 (Plus Eventbrite fee - 84p- for online purchases) - only a few tickets available (minimum number of tickets need to be sold for the event to proceed). 

For more information or to order, see: the Facebook event page; Eventbrite page; or contact: (by post:) 1 West Park Rd., Derby, DE22 1GG; (Text:) 07903 237953; or (email) antiquarianacademy@gmail.com