Blog Seventh Anniversary

The 14th of September marked the seventh anniversary of the blog, so I want to take the opportunity to thank each and every person who has read, followed, shared and enjoyed the content I’ve been producing over that time. It really means a lot to me that my blog’s readership has grown so much in that time and that people genuinely seem to love what I write about. Not long ago, I reached the amazing milestone of over 100,000 views in total over that time, which is just amazing. I could never have imagined such a milestone was ever possible, especially when I share such varied history posts. I love sharing all that I can about history with you all, so I hope I can keep it up for many more years to come.

This blog started in 2018 when I had just graduated from my masters degree and was missing doing some historical research. I had the dream of becoming a historian and to publishing the research I had been doing on Anthony Woodville, brother-in-law to Edward IV. I have achieved both of those goals. I go around giving talks to wonderful groups on all sorts of topics, most of those topics started as a blog post on here, as well as having published Anthony Woodville: Sophisticate or Schemer last year. I have had some lovely feedback on both my book and the talks, which honestly means so much to me.

Just one of my talks this year; Anthony Woodville: Sophisticate or Schemer for the Gloucester and Bristol Branch of the Richard III Society

Last year I branched out and started my own Georgian Derby and Belper tours in my home county of Derbyshire, including doing some in conjunction with Derby Museums. I have also had some lovely feedback from these too and can happily announce that I will be doing three more with the Museums next summer. My own tours will be continuing until the end of October, and will recommence in the Spring. If you’re interested in booking on one, you can find the tickets via Eventbrite here.

Me, my dad and sister at the standing in front of an urn gifted to Empress Josephine by Napoleon near Bath’s Royal Crescent

The main reason this anniversary post is always late is that it coincides with the Jane Austen Festival in Bath. This year was an extra special year as it is the 250th anniversary since Jane Austen’s birth. I have been taking part since 2021 and it’s always been a highlight of my family’s year since then. I am very blessed that my sister sews both of our dresses (a talent I definitely don’t possess!). For the first year since we started attending, we missed out on the promenade tickets, which is where thousands of Austen fans parade through the streets of Bath in costume. With it being a big anniversary, tickets for this event became capped at 2,000, making it the biggest ever promenade yet! With many like us who missed tickets, watching on in costume too, there were so many of us in Bath that weekend.

Despite missing the promenade tickets, we made the most of it and went around No.1 Royal Crescent in period costume. Anyone who watches Bridgerton, will recognise this as the exterior to the Featherington’s residence. The first year we visited Bath in 2019, they were filming there and we managed to have photos taken with the carriages used in filming, although back then, no one knew what Bridgerton was going to be! I would highly recommend visiting the No.1 Crescent museum as it’s an interesting look at what a post Georgian Bath townhouse would have been like for family and staff alike.

Just some of the photos I took during our visit to No.1 Royal Crescent Bath

You can find out more about the Jane Austen Festival, including the dates for the next two years (great for planning ahead!) using the following link: https://janeausten.co.uk/pages/festival-home-page

A first for me and my sister was attending a ball in Bath itself during the festival. Tickets for the festival officially organised balls always go so quick, and I will admit, are generally out of our price range. Instead Sophie from Laughing with Lizzie, organised a ball at St Swithin’s church during the festival. It was a lovely experience and so nice to meet so many other Jane Austen fans and to say we finally danced in Bath! For those interested, St Swithin’s was the place where Jane’s parents, George and Cassandra, were married. It is also where George was buried after his death in Bath. Unfortunately for poor George, his actual grave now lies under the ladies toilets. A sad end to Jane’s biggest supporter and a personal favourite of mine from the Austen family.

Me, my sister and Mr Darcy at Laughing with Lizzie’s ball

It seems to feel a bit surreal now to be back writing this from my home and back in the ‘modern’ world. However, I’ll be back to my Georgian self again next weekend to my local Georgian ball during Buxton Crescent’s Georgian Festival. This will be my third year attending and take it from me, my friends from the Buxton Crescent are so friendly, I always feel at home. If you’d like to know more about Buxton Crescent and it’s Georgian Festival, you can find out more here: https://buxtoncrescentexperience.com/

Buxton’s Crescent

Once again, I want to thank you for all your support for the blog and here’s to many more years to come! Over the next few months, I have lots of interesting content for you, so do stay tuned.