Turning tragedy into timeless romance.
Many of us have been there. Many of us have believed ourselves in love to the point of obsession, and letters Charlotte Brontë wrote to Constantin Heger, a Belgian tutor, proves that even one of the most famed writers in English Literature wasn’t immune to this human experience.
Kate Webster’s (1849-1879) mark on history is as the “female Sweeney Todd” for murdering her employer, Julia Thomas, but before dismembering and boiling the bones off a corpse, Kate led a life filled with larceny, pick-pocketing, and petty crime.
The United Kingdom has a rich and extensive history. This might not be more apparent than in the country’s legal history, with strange laws spanning from not wearing armor into the House of Parliament to ladies not eating chocolate on public transportation. Some laws are still enforced, but others are not. While this is definitely... Continue Reading →
In the Victorian era, insane asylums were a tool utilized by a patriarchal society in the oppression of women. While there were signs of feminism and women’s rights taking hold in the 19th century (i.e. bluestockings, feminist writers, women’s colleges, etc.), progression was slow. Women’s suffragettes, in England, wouldn’t see the fruits of their labor... Continue Reading →
Beau Brummell took Regency England by storm with his devious good looks, witticism, and fashion sense. He was an ideal dandy, meaning a man who placed importance in his appearance, pursued his passions to the utmost, and adhered to romantic ideals. Beau took these beliefs to heart, taking great pains with his wardrobe. He disdained... Continue Reading →
One of my favorite things to do is to dig into the English annals and discover really weird stories. I’ve covered some strange and deranged stories on this blog, from Lady Caroline Lamb sending her bloody pubes to Lord Byron to one of life’s most baffling questions—was Jack the Ripper a woman? This month I... Continue Reading →
What images come to mind for the Victorian era? Maybe corsets, tea, and large country homes come to mind. Maybe the values of the time: wealth, family, morality, and strict gender roles (like divorce as a rare occurrence and society's obsession with virginity). The last thing you might think of is a crazy sex cult... Continue Reading →
"A Most Charming Couple," a sweet, feminist fairy tale, was recently published in Corvid Queen. This story is about growing old, making new friends, and finding true love. Read it here!
In the Victorian era, courtship was a business. There was even a term for it: "the marriage mart." Dowries, lands, and titles served as motivators for selecting a life partner. A gentleman might ask, "Is her dowry large enough?" A lady might ask, "Is his title high enough?" a However, finding genuine love and affection... Continue Reading →
Check out my most recent story! "The Scent of Lavender," which started as a Jack the Ripper origin story but mutated into a monster of its own, was performed on the 441st episode of Tales to Terrify, a Hugo award-nominated podcast.
