How to Recognize a Napoleonic Officer's Rank
Recently, I was reading an enjoyable Regency romance when I came across this description:
“He was strikingly handsome in his red coat. She could see the officer was a captain by the bars on his shoulders.”
Well, that popped me right out of the scene. Captains in the Napoleonic British Army, the various militias or any other continental army of the time did not have their rank designated by two metal bars on their shoulder tabs. Those are modern American Officer designations. There were no such metal insignia for distinguishing officer ranks in the Napoleonic British army. So, how were ranks displayed on British officers’ uniforms? Would you believe by the spacing of their coat buttons and lace?
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The Gentleman, Where Did That Idea Come From?
The Creation of the Gentleman
Way back when the Normans conquered Anglo-Saxon England in 1066, William the Conqueror installed a brand-new hierarchy of titles for the ruling class. These men and their families were given nearly all available land across England. Those who lived on those lands were ‘subjects’ of the ruling class and of the King.
At the same time, the Age of Chivalry was dawning. At its heart was a set of ethical behaviors and heroic ideals expected, specifically of the warriors, the knights of Feudal Europe—which included the majority of the nobility. Our notions of ‘fair play,’ gracious behaviors, and being thoughtful of others less fortunate were encapsulated in the ideals of Chivalry.
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Men Writing Romance?
When I was preparing to have my first romance novel published, several writer colleagues and my publisher suggested that I have a woman’s pen name or at least something androgynous. I was told more than eighty percent of romance readers are women, and many won’t read male romance authors.
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Regency Honor and Glory
How does one improve his standing in society? During the Regency, it was referred to as seeking glory. When maintaining or repairing a reputation, one’s social standing and family name, it was called a matter of “honor.”
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Cat Burglars during the Regency?
Were there stealthy cat burglars during the Regency period? You know, those professional thieves, smart and athletic, who only go for big ticket items. My next blog will explore the question.
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History: 17th to 19th Century Stories of Time Travel
It’s one thing to send your character back into the 17th and 18th centuries, figuring out the ins and outs of time travel. But what about the people living in those times? Did they even think about the idea?
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Why Would Anyone Write a Novel?
I’ve been asked the question many times once I started jotting down stories to tell. I found there isn’t a simple answer, either for me personally, or in general for other novelists. Writing novels is a lot of hard work and involves a steep learning curve. So, why do it?
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