Regency Lexicon

Some Regency terms I encounter during my readings. And my use of them in context :)

Almack's


Exclusive assembly rooms in London. One required vouchers from one of the Patronesses in order to attend.

Surely he could endure another more night with all those ambitious society mama's at Almack's.


Almack's was the place to find oneself an eligible bride.

Banns

A notice of an impending marriage given on three consecutive Sundays in one's parish church. If no one objected to the match during this period, the marriage could proceed.

She asked him to get a special license. She would rather they marry in haste, without all the necessary banns read.

Bedlam

An insane asylum in London. The full name was the Hospital of Saint Mary of Bethlehem.

A conversation with him is like a day at Bedlam.



“After spending the 

past few days cooped up with Miss De Leon, I 

consider myself a worthy candidate for Bedlam.” --Blake Ravenscroft (To Catch an Heiress by Julia Quinn)

Bit o'muslin


A woman of who gives sexual favors in exchange for payment.

“Calista, listen to me for a moment,” he said gently. “I am not engaged to Amanda, and

Lady Enright knows that.”

“I realize it is more of an understanding, but surely—”

“There is no understanding.” He sighed, disliking to shock her but knowing that honesty

was called for. “I had hoped to spare you the particular details of this, my sweet, but the

truth is that Amanda is—was actually—my, er—”

The light dawned in her eyes as she saw his discomfort. “Mistress? Fancy piece? Bit of

muslin?” Her tone sounded bitter to her own ears, and tears burned in her eyes as she

acknowledged to herself that they owed as much to jealousy of Amanda Prescott as to

disgust with his profligacy.

--Lord Stanhope's Proposal by Jessica Benson

**It might be of interest for you to know that Calista and Tristan, Earl of Stanhope marries at the end of this :) Mistresses are normal for them, you see. Maybe not if it is to be a love match ,though.

Bluestocking

A lady interested in books, learning and scholarly pursuits. From the so-called "Blue Stocking Society" which a group of society ladies began in the 1750's to discuss literature and other matters.

Belle could not believe that the handsome viscount would want a bluestocking such as herself.  

Breeches

Short, close-fitting trousers that fastened just below the knees and were worn with stockings.

He was a man with an eye for fashion, as one could tell by the way his breeches handsomely hugged his masculine thighs. 

By-blow

An illegitimate child.

"But she was no gently bred lady, she thought defiantly. She was a bastard, a nobleman's by-blow. She was not a member of the ton and never would be." --Sophia Gunningwood who took the name Sophia Beckett which later became Sophia Bridgerton, wife of Hon. Benedict Bridgerton. (An Offer from a Gentleman by Julia Quinn)