It’s a truth universally acknowledged that after a bride and groom consummate the marriage the pitter patter of little feet will surely follow (and follow and follow and follow). Such was the…

Well, it’s nearly Christmas again, how time flies when you’re having fun and we certainly have had a busy and fun packed year both rushing around the Georgian era and finalizing our bi…

Be very grateful that we live in the times we do. Imagine what it was like in days gone by, when you had to wipe your bottom with leaves and moss!

Back in Jane Austen’s day travel was so difficult and laborious over poorly constructed roads that the majority of the people who lived in that century traveled no farther than 14 miles from …

2015 is the two hundredth anniversary of the famous political cartoon by James Gillray showing Napoleon and Pitt the Younger carving up the World. The Map Department holds a number of examples of c…

In today’s society millions of pounds are spent on cosmetics in the hope of making us appear more beautiful or better still in attempting to slow down or prevent the ageing process. It seems …

July 1808, Britain experienced unusually high temperatures. So, given the British obsession with the weather, I’ve taken a look at how the newspapers reported this unusual weather. The Scots Magazi…

18th century society in England mandated a chasm as wide as the Atlantic Ocean between the roles of the sexes. The men supposed themselves England: superior, imperial, and conquering, while giving …

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Inquiring readers: In early October, Prof Elaine Chalus, Historian of 18-19C British gender, politics & society, sent a link to eight sessions of the Bath 250, A Virtual Conference, The 250th A…

Unlike George IV, known for his excesses in all matters, his father was the complete opposite and abstained from any form of excess in the food department, so much so that even the newspapers felt …

While searching through the Lewis Walpole Gallery last summer I came across many images of riding habits, not all of which were the typical design we are accustom to seeing. I started collecting up these to get a better idea of when or what it was. Although there seems to be a variance of style (two in particular), I'm just going to define what follows as "unfitted Riding Habits", meaning they lack a waist seam. It seems to come into style along with the Polonaise gown, and some distinctly resemble it down to the wrinkles. Some are more military in style, one fashion plate of this style defines it as a Bavarian Frock, while the others have a tapering collar with a tie for closure in front. There were many other images that looked like they might be unfitted, but I really couldn't tell if it was just the artists quick rendition (especially since the arm usually covers the seam). I was in the Millinery/Tailor shop soon after and Mark Hutter had made a habit based on the Polonaise style (you can see the final product on Sarah here). He mentioned that it might even be called Riding Habit a la Polonaise. It took me up until this month to really delve into documents to find any references to that particular style. I found three potential references to a Riding Habit a la Polonaise (or commonly Polonese), and a few good ideas of colors and interesting comments I'll post at the bottom. In the Public Advertiser, April 15 of 1779: PARMENTIER, lately from Paris, Ladies Robe and Mantua-maker, makes all sorts of ladies dresses in the present taste; as Polish, Circassian, Italian, and Levee gowns for the country; Caraco a la Provencale, Riding-Habits a la Polonoise, and all sorts of corsets. In the Morning Post and Daily Advertiser, January 31 of 1775 there is a Habit-Maker advertising that he makes "Masquerade dresses, and a la Polonaise". I can't quite guarantee he isn't referring to a gown of that style, but it's something to keep in mind once I know more about who made Polonaise gowns (probably dependent on usage since "Polonaise" seems to come up in reference to Masquerades early on). In the Gazeteer and New Daily Advertiser, January 1 or 1776 there is a long list of items available and prices beside them. Under "Habits made of:" is Superfine 4 9 0, Cassimere 4 14 6, Neatly Trimmed a la Polonaise 5 5 0, and Ratteen for winter wear 3 13 6. 1778: Miss Wicket and Miss Trigger 1778: The Favourite Footman 1778: The Female Fox Hunter (Proper Dating) 1779 "Fraque a Bavaire" 1779: Reynards Last Shift 1780: A Scene in the Park 1780: A Soft Tumble after a Hard Ride 1780: The Ladies Shooting Poney 1781: Satirical Print 1781: The Sudden Explosion Public Advertiser August 23 1776: Grey with Scarlet lining and Stone with Green lining. Gazeteer and New Daily Advertiser March 14 1777: A lost Riding Habit of "green striped cloth, lined with pink silk and pink silk waistcoat." Gazeteer and New Daily Advertiser February 1 1779: A "cloth coloured riding habit lined with pink silk". Gazeteer and New Daily Advertiser May 31 1779: The Duchess of Cumberland seen wearing a "Pea-green" riding dress. Lloyd's Evening Post August 14 1780: Riding Habit of "Superfine Claret Broad Cloth". Gazeteer and New Daily Advertiser October 24 1780: A brown Riding Habit lost. Gazeteer and New Daily Advertiser August 15 of 1776: Riding Habits of kerseymere faced with silk, cloth, silk, jean, jenner, and nankeen. Gazeteer and New Daily Advertiser November 7 1776: Riding Habit of cassimere. Bath Chronicle November 6 1777: Riding Habits are continued to be made in the most fashionable taste in plain or superfine cloth trimmed with silk 5 5, silk waist 5 15, with high-polished steel 6 6, elegant patent buttons 6 16. A dress with French Boullion frogs, and silk waistcoat 7 17 6. Ditto with frogs of gold, silver, and different colour folio, and silk waistcoat trimmed in proportion 8 16 6. Fashionably bound with a striped or flower tissue waistcoat 9 9. Scarlet cloth, half a guinea; striped or spotted 35s. addition to the prices above-mentioned. Gazeteer and New Daily Advertiser January 31 1778: Riding Habits of cloth faced with silk 5 5 0, with gimp or frogs 5 15 6, jean 4 4 0, nankeen 3 13 6. In "foreign or English fashion". London Courant and Westminster Chronicle July 4 1780: Riding Habits of superfine Kerseymere fac'd with silk 5 0 0, superfine cloth fac'd with silk 4 14 6, fine jean or jennet 3 11 0, nankeen 3 0 0. Gazeteer and New Daily Advertiser October 31 1780: A Riding Habit of cotton with metal buttons. Caledonian Mercury December 9 1782: "Superfine printed Paoli for fashionable riding habits" General Evening Post June 13 1778: "The only tonish undress at present among the ladies of all ranks is a scarlet riding habit, faced of the colour that distinguishes the regiment of militia in which their husbands, their lovers, or their keepers now serve, at the different encampments." Morning Post and Daily Advertiser April 22 1780: "Ladies Riding Hats made peculiarly light, and of the best qualities; of a most delicate white, without the least dusty powder in them, a merrit no other sort of white hats can claim; are also dyed of various fine colours, and if required dyed to match habits. The black are remarkably light, and of superior quality to any yet every offered to the public."

The introduction of street lighting to 17th-century London saw an explosion of nocturnal activity in the capital, most of it centring around the selling of sex. Matthew Beaumont explores how some writers, with the intention of condemning these nefarious goings-on, took to the city's streets after dark, and in the process gave birth to a peculiar new literary genre.

Prostitutes were regarded with mixed feelings in the 18th century. An awareness of the vulnerability of women who had few economic options for making their way in the world owed much to the sentime…

Explore the British Museum collection and journey through two million years of human history.

by Stephen J. Gertz Dandies At Tea. "I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy..." (Geo. M. Cohan). The clothes-obsessed dand...

By Clarissa Dickson Wright/The Washington Post Editor’s note: Has England managed to overcome its reputation as a nation of historically …

No readers, I have not ‘lost the plot’ nor has this become a blog about exercise. I have been looking at the ways 18th century people used enhancements to improve their looks. FALSE RUMPS Until the…

The Bartered Bride is out now in USA. Coming soon there the Hanover Square trilogy and cming here soon, paperback in august is Bought For the Harem. Dearest Mama I write to you from Italy, where I have spent a pleasant month with my sister Horatia and her friends. I must tell you that the climate suits my health and I have decided to settle here. There is a very pleasant villa not far from my sister's home and it is there I shall live. The estate will be sold and while I realise this may leave you without a home I am offering you the chance of living here with me and the lady I intend to marry, as soon as her family will allow it - or a house in Bath. I am quite prepared to purchase a house in Bath for you, dear Mama. My lawyers will make certain that you have all you need - but should you wish to visit either Horatia or myself we shall be delighted to see you. I know you feel my sister has disgraced the family but I assure you that here no one regards it. She is welcomed by most of the local notables, though some visiting English do not wish to be known to her. However, her divorce is soon to be complete and then she will marry. I must tell you that she is expecting her husband-t-be's baby and very happy. We should all like to see both you and Antonia. Your loving son, Robert Hope you enjoyed this little series. I expect it will be back to excerpts next time. Best wishes Anne Herries

Farting etiquette. Even the Royals fart. Farting is seen by some as an art form. Farting in public. Silent and deadly or alternatively producing a loud report but unlikely to cause ear damage.