Kristi here. If you live in the United States and you’re reading this article it means either A) you’ve already finished your taxes or B) you’re avoiding doing your taxes by perusing the internet. If the latter I suggest you hop to it because Tax Day is right around the corner.
“The only things certain in life are death and taxes.” – Benjamin Franklin
How true, how true. Taxes are a way of life if you want to have a funded government. During the Regency, with the American Revolution having just wrapped up and the Napoleonic Wars raging, not to mention a Prince Regent with an eye for expensive decor, the English government taxed the citizens in every way it could think of. Newspapers, soap, tea, pins, sugar, coffee, even horses and dogs were taxed. By the time the Regency rolled around the English government had gotten very good at taxing people in unique ways.
The Window Tax
Probably the most infamous of the taxes was the window tax. It was doubly bad because there was also a Glass Excise tax. So you got taxed when you bought the glass for the window and then taxed for having the window.
Any portal that allowed you to see outside of the house – even a small ventilation hole – counted towards a home’s total number of windows. Homes were classed into three groups: less than 10 windows, 10-20 windows, and more than 20 windows. The rates were occasionally raised, coming to their peak during the Regency, before slowly decreasing until the tax was eradicated altogether in 1937.
While some people, particularly poor people, did brick up certain windows to avoid the tax, false windows were also a popular architecture feature. This was awfully convenient if you did want to brick up a window because it kept it from looking out of place.
The Servant Tax
Next time you’re reading (or writing!) a Regency novel, pay attention to the number of people running around performing services for all the characters. All of them drew a tax from their employers. Footmen, butlers, valets, game-keepers, grooms, and gardeners all added together to make money to fund wars on the American and French fronts. The scale was as difficult to figure out as their money.
Families were charged different rates than bachelors. Eventually a sliding scale, based on the number of servants you employed, was applied to the rates.
Originally the law applied only to male servants working in homes or on estates. By the time Prinny came to power, women servants, waiters, book-keepers, clerks, stewards, and even factory workers and farm laborers were being taxed. The rates had also been risen to their highest point in history, making the sheer effort of making a living and running a household an expensive endeavor. While things did get better after 1823, the tax was not entirely repealed until 1889.
The Church Tax
Yes, the Church of England was also in the game of raising funds. At the time the church was responsible for much more than religious education, fellowship, and Godly worship. They also cared for the roads, the poor, and upkeep of certain public buildings – including the place of worship.
This was separate from the tithes expected from farmers and craftsmen which paid the living for the clergy. Also, while not a requirement, it was expected that people pay pew rental fees to the church to secure their seats for worship services. One would also have to tip the person who opened your pew box for you to sit down.
Tax stamp on a piece of wallpaper, proving the tax had been paid.
All of this taxation served to make the poor poorer and the rich a little irritated. The poorest of people lived in houses without ventilation and didn’t wash because of the tax on soap. This made them sick and unable to care for themselves, in which case they had to rely on the church which meant the church had to collect more in taxes as well which led the rich to go to great lengths to drive the poor to another district. What a vicious circle.
Sadly, things haven’t changed much. Between income tax, property tax, sales tax, ad valorem tax, and other things like estate and capital gains taxes, just about everything we touch is taxed as well. I guess Ecclesiastes is right… there’s nothing new under the sun.
Sources:
What Jane Austen Ate and Charles Dickens Knew
Godly Mayfair
English Historical Documents 1660-1714 Regency Redingote Regency Redingote
One of my loop friends got a jolt this week, and her openness inspired me. Thanks Rachel. What God has for you, is for you alone.
Alas, Providence Said No.
I sit at my low window and draw the curtains open. Every handkerchief is tear-stained, and I seek a breeze to dry my face.
But the air is calm and still.
Alas, Providence has said no again.
The day is bright. The branches of the mighty oak framing my view revels in the shine and casts shadows upon the open panes and my wrung hands. I should be outside with my oils and canvas, capturing the lilies on the pond, the thick greenery of the close heather on my lawn. Yet, my artist’s soul is dour. My paints would be onyx or charcoal. I possess no light today.
With a dry spot on my wrist, I scrub my wet cheek. On my lap weighs the heavy letters of Your promises. I’ve no strength to open my Bible, or dump it from my skirts. I’m frozen in regret. What if I said…. What if….
Can any of Your words soothe my restlessness? I know You have plans for me, but what of mine?
Did You not know how much I craved the affection? It wasn’t a trifle to me.
Did You not care how I set my heart upon this dream?
Why let my mind to think, my soul to wish, if I am to be crushed when nothing comes to fruition?
Out on the lawn, a furry squirrel chases a rolling stone, no an acorn. As he seizes on the nut, it squeezes out of his paws and scatters to the pond’s edge. Undaunted, the animal makes a dash only to witness his prize tumble away. The acorn doesn’t float. It sinks, rippling the stagnant waters.
I am one with the varmint.
I turn away from the window. With a deep breath, I declare myself to be reasonable. I should chase a different nut and accept my lot, for You know what’s best.
But I am not so easily consoled. I wish to join the squirrel and reclaim the vision gone away, even in the murky depths.
My mind resounds with bitter memories, those times I forced my desires. Yet, in the wake of those disappointments, I still want my way now. I’ll admit to a poor track, missteps, but Abba, isn’t today different.
Oh, let me be Gideon. My fleece, my face, is still sodden with misery. Therefore, allow me to question Your hand.
Did my pleading for this cause, fall away like Abraham’s for Sodom? Was my dream truly so bad?
Can you not hear Habakkuk’s anguish in my voice? Have You forsaken me?
Is it so, Abba? Is it so?
The glazed glass rattles. A soft rush of air billows the gauzy muslin dressing the casement. Constant and steady this wind, this balm of Gilead, covers me. Hints of fragrant lilies and peppery heather fill my lungs, clearing my sniffles. I feel an embrace in my spirit. Thank You for not leaving me. I welcome this no.
Scratching noises assault my ears.
A few feet away, my friend, the squirrel, has scampered up the oak and dances on a thick limb. His cheeks are pregnant, bulging twice the size of before. He must’ve gathered other acorns. My brethren’s sorrow seems short-lived.
Chuckles gather in my throat. A glimmer of my joy has returned. Could it be Sarah’s laugh at impossibility? Yet, it is true. Abba, will You spin all my ashes to gold? I close my eyes and let the breeze stroke my countenance, tickle the bugle beads of my collar. I release more of my pity and woe.
Abba, my Father, my Provider, renew my heart to Your plans, Your ways. Ready my spirit to receive your promised provisions. Amen.
I hope this helps when God says, “No,” in your life. Even though it is hard, never be in doubt of His plans for your life. Below are some scriptures I use to strengthen my resolve. May they bless you, too.
Here’s God’s Promise of His Plans for your life: Jeremiah 29:11
King James Version (KJV)
11For I know the thoughts (plans) that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Here’s the Catch, Delight 1st Then He gives your desires. (Note-if your delighting then His will and yours will match): Psalm 37
3Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
4Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
5Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
Here’s the patience clause: Psalm 37
7Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way…
His promises for an obedient life: Deuteronomy 28 1And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:
2And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.
3Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.
4Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.
5Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store.
6Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.
7The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.
8The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
9The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways.
10And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of thee.
11And the LORD shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers to give thee.
12The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.
13And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them.
Here’s David’s prayer for God to save us and grant us our heart’s desire. Psalm 20 1The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee;
2Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion;
3Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah.
4Grant thee (my plans) according to thine own heart, and fulfill all thy counsel.
5We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfill all thy petitions.
Finally, for comfort in your sorrow, read of the Bible Hero’s who questioned God and lived.
Up-and-coming author, Naomi Rawlings, fills us in on her exciting new book, released on April 3. Titled Sanctuary for a Lady, it will be published by Love Inspired Historical. Naomi is the young mother of two little boys (5 & 2). She resides in northern
Michigan, just a few miles from Lake Superior. She shared about the book and some other fascinating aspects of her life.
Naomi, tell us about the book. The injured young woman Michel Belanger finds in the woods is certainly an aristocrat. And in the midst of France’s bloody revolution, sheltering nobility merits a trip to the guillotine. Yet despite the risk, Michel knows he must bring the wounded girl to his cottage to heal. Attacked by soldiers and left for dead, Isabelle de La Rouchecauld has lost everything. A duke’s daughter cannot hope for mercy in France, so escaping to England is her best chance of survival. The only thing more dangerous than staying would be falling in love with this gruff yet tender man of the land. Even if she sees, for the first time, how truly noble a heart can be….settings are often included in the early Regency subgenre, perhaps for
Even though your story is set in France, it’s considered early Regency, correct? French Revolutionary lack of a better place to put them. The French Revolution affected so much during the early Regency period that it can’t be ignored. Sanctuary for a Lady covers from late March, 1794 to early May 1794. Though it’s set during the Reign of Terror, the novel isn’t bloody or gory. Its main focus is the romance between the hero and heroine, but the guillotine poses a serious threat to both my main characters (as it did to many French men and women during that time).
What, if any were the challenges to writing in this period? The biggest challenge was finding research sources. There are numerous resources about the peasants and local governments of North West France during the French Revolution, but they’re all in French. And I don’t read–or speak–French. Most English language sources pertain to Paris and the upper class, and my story is about provincial peasants (or almost peasants, as far as my heroine is concerned). Do you have a theme verse for your novel? The verse at the beginning of my novel ties in well with my story: Colossians 3:13–Even as Christ forgave, so do ye also. Forgiveness plays a very strong role in the novel, though I don’t want to reveal much more beyond that.
Does any of your background in life bear on you becoming a writer? Those who know me say they can easily see me writing novels, but for me, writing novels kind of came out of nowhere. I’ve always loved reading and did a decent job at writing during high school and college. But as far as writing a novel and getting paid for it goes, the idea never occurred to me until after I’d graduated from college, gotten married, and had a baby. By then, I was reading so much during my baby’s nap times, that I decided to try to write a book, to give me something else to do with my time.
What drew you to be interested in writing Regency Historical Romance? Not one thing in particular. I get a lot of story ideas, more than I could ever possibly flesh out into a novel, and as it turned out, I decided to set one during the French Revolution. Sanctuary for a Lady has an interesting twist at the end, and I knew Love Inspired Historical was looking for European settings. So I hoped those two things would be enough to get my publisher’s attention, and they were!
What motivates your writing? I write because I enjoy it and it provides me with a bit of a challenge. I write to entertain people, and I try to write powerful, inspiring stories.
Thank you, Naomi, for sharing your writing journey with us, and for the copy of your new book Sanctuary for A Lady, which you will give away to one of the guests who leaves a comment below!
Money was undergoing a change during the Regency. It began during the early part of the Napoleonic wars, in 1797 to be exact, when the guinea was discontinued officially. Guineas were still in circulation, though, and people spoke in terms of items costing X number of guineas.
So what was a guinea? 21 shillings.
Clear as mud?
Let’s break this down to the simplest terms possible.
1807 Farthing
Farthing (as in “I don’t give a farthing for that.) ¼ pence
Hapenny or half penny: ½ penny or pence
Penny: a penny or pence shown as amount in numbers with a d.
Tuppence: two pennies
Thrupence: three pennies
Sixpence: six pennies or half a shilling
1816 Shilling
Shilling: 12 pennies r pence and shown as amount in numbers with an S
Half Crown: 30 pence or 2S 6D
1819 Crown Piece
Crown: 60d or 5s
Pound: 20s
Pony: Slang term for 25 pounds
Monkey: Slang term for 500 pounds.
Sovereign: In 1816, Great Britain went on the gold standard and issued the sovereign, which was a pound in a gold coin.
South Facade of Bank of England, London, 19th Century
Although bank notes were issued for convenience, they were not legal tender as we think of paper money nowadays. That didn’t occur until a little over a decade after the Regency ended. Bank notes were promissory notes saying that the bearer could exchange it for the face value of the note in gold coins. This was one way in which money passed from bank to bank.
To explain the banking system and how it worked before even telegrams could be exchanged to verify accounts is a complicated subject that will have to wait for another post.
Beau Brummel has long been considered an important figure in Regency history. His friendship with the Prince Regent and his charm and wit brought him influence and prestige. He became the ultimate arbiter of fashion, with many historians crediting him with the transition from knee breeches to trousers.
Unfortunately, Brummel is also famous for fleeing to France to escape debtor’s prison. It was a temporary fix as he ended up in debtor’s prison in France a few years after fleeing there. By the time he died, all his gloss and glamour has disappeared, leaving him a slovenly pauper.
The saddest part of this story is that shortly after resigning his commission, he inherited £30,000. This was a veritable fortune in the early 19th century and he should have been able to live comfortably for the rest of his life. His pride was his downfall.
The “friends” he made through his connection with Prinny were all much wealthier than he was and he spent extravagantly and borrowed abundantly to maintain a similar lifestyle. He built himself the proverbial house of cards and it all came fluttering down.
Biblical Consequences
The combination of pride and money proved deadly for Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5. Pride made them desirous of the recognition a large donation to the church would bring, but their desire for money made them deceitful. They held back a portion of the money from the sale of their land and then claimed to the church that they were donating everything. It cost them their life.
Modern Day Freedom
God has called my family and I in a different direction than He took my brother and my parents. The struggle to learn that I could do without some of the things they bought was a long and hard one for me. We ended up with a large amount of debt. It took us several years and some outside help to dig our way out of it.
Whether you have fistfuls of cash...... or palms full of pennies, God can use what you have better than you can.
I didn’t want to admit that we couldn’t’ afford to go on vacation with my extended family or that I couldn’t pay for my part of a group gift. Pride made me look to other solutions and got me into trouble. My focus was more on worldly things than Godliness.
“No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” Luke 16:13
So often we want to be like other people. We want the designer clothes or the fancy cars or the big houses. When we can’t truly afford it, the temptation to turn to credit cards and loans becomes greater. Pride can drive us into serious money issues if we aren’t careful. If we find the strength to swallow our pride and say “I can’t afford that” we just might find a little more of that abundant life God wants to provide us.
Finding joy in the little things. My husband and kids enjoying a trip to the lake.
For me that included a lot less stress, a truer understanding of what really brought me joy in life, and a closer relationship with my family because honest lines of communication were being opened. I think all of that is worth way more than my petty pride.
Two years ago on the Thursday before Easter, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I believed God was calling me home. I was so stressed about leaving my family because without me here who would pray them into heaven? It took me three days to let go. On the third day I realized He didn’t need my help and it would be easier to pray from heaven because the devil wouldn’t be able to interfere there.
As I let go of them and accepted whatever God had in store for me, my faith began to arise. My prayer was “Let me do this with grace and dignity.” He did. Through radiation therapy because I was so tired, I cried all the way to my treatments. When it was over I went back to work. I look back on it now and that mountain I climbed looks like a little bump in the road. Isn’t it strange how when we are in the midst of a trial it looks so big, yet when it is over we look back and its size seems to diminish?
I wonder if we told ourselves at the beginning of each trial, “Soon it will be just a bump in the road,” if we would get through it faster. Having the faith to believe God is going to help us find our way out sets the stage for the enemy’s defeat. Satan loves to slam us into a wall wanting us to feel overwhelmed and defeated from the beginning. I have found it really frustrates him when I trust God to bring me through from the outset.
Obviously He wasn’t ready for me two years ago, but when He is I’ll be ready. Life has new meaning for me now. Going through the ordeal of cancer and the multiple surgeries it required has made me stronger. For me ‘what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger’ has been proven true. This year the trials I am facing are even more difficult than surviving cancer, but I know from experience He is in control and His will will be done. He has my best interests at heart and no matter how difficult life on earth becomes, He will help me through. This time I am choosing to see the bump instead of the mountain.
If you are going through a hard place, remember, He is faithful forever. I like to think about how Jesus spent the three days from Good Friday to Easter Sunday. My favorite part is when He took the keys away from Satan. Can’t you see him cowering and sniveling? And what did our wonderful Savior do with them? He gave them to us. Now we have the same power He used to send the enemy away sniveling and cowering to lick his wounds. WOO HOO!
As a writer, I believe in using words to tell stories. As a reader, I get very excited when a book transports me to the time and place of the novel. I want to feel like I’m there, all while enjoying the safety and comfort of my home, in my favorite chair.
A visual performer does the same thing. Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter is not just a singer—she’s a master of the arts of sound and motion, of textures and hues and imagery.
On Christmas Day, she showcased her unparalleled talent during the Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans’ playoff game. Writers can draw valuable lessons from Queen B’s performance:
* Craft a Story That Resonates: Create a narrative that connects with your audience on a deep level.
* Layer Your Message: Evoke a range of emotions and sensory delights to keep your audience engaged.
* Use Your Platform: Elevate causes and ideas you care about, using your voice to make a difference.
* Show Up (Period): Deliver with all guns blazing—give your absolute best effort.
Those are the easy takeaways. But this is Beyoncé, after all. She deserves an in-depth analysis.
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Owning Your 13 Minutes
Fifteen minutes of fame? That’s outdated. In today’s fast-paced world, it’s all about maximizing the 13 minutes you’re given and making them unforgettable. Beyoncé didn’t just perform during the NFL halftime show—she transformed those 13 minutes into a cultural and historical statement that will resonate for decades.
When Beyoncé, riding a Lipizzaner and dressed in white, appeared on Netflix for the World Wide Stage, she wasn’t just performing—she was storytelling. Every writer, including myself, needs to take note. On Christmas Day in the year of our Lord 2025, Beyoncé, one of the most famous people in the world, a cultural icon, and a legendary artist, arrived at NRG Stadium.
Riding in-hand amid an American Requiem—solemn graveyard of stilled Cadillacs, veiled singers bathed in white light, and cowboys standing shoulder to shoulder with rodeo men and women before a plastic-wrapped flag—Beyoncé delivered an iconic, thematic performance. It was the pinnacle of symbolism and storytelling that will forever be remembered as one of the greatest halftime shows in history.
13 Minutes
Thirteen minutes is 780 seconds, countless steps, innumerable costumes, and cameras capturing every angle. Beyoncé took command of Netflix and reminded everyone that she is country—that country music was built on the backs of Black entertainers. She showcased Black cowboys and the rich traditions of Black rodeo culture. If anyone needed a lesson about belonging, she gave one in a defiant celebration of Black identity and pride. The presentation was audacious and bold—a finger in the eye of a genre and spaces that tried to exclude her… exclude us.
The Origins
In 2016, Beyoncé and The Chicks performed “Daddy Lessons” at the Country Music Association (CMA) Awards, only to face backlash questioning her “country credentials.” Despite, or perhaps in spite of, that rejection, Beyoncé began writing, dreaming, and crafting an album—Act II: Cowboy Carter. Her eighth studio album, released on March 29, 2024, via Parkwood Entertainment and Columbia Records, has topped charts in the US and abroad. It’s genius.
Then, the CMA decided to be petty. They didn’t invite her or nominate Beyoncé for any awards at their 58th Annual awards show. The event, hosted in November, drew 6 million live viewers who tuned in to see pretty much the same old guard circle their wagons.
When this was announced, Beyoncé didn’t cry for a performative boycott. I call it a “performative boycott” because some of these actions are feel-good movements that don’t address the real issues, instead offering excuses for reckless voting, buying, or other problematic behaviors. Instead, she built her own stage, crafted her own story, and invited others to celebrate with her at the Beyoncé Bowl—the Christmas Day halftime show. Beyoncé secured 27 million viewers, even more than the football game’s audience. Her unapologetic artistry eclipsed the CMA’s viewership and shortsighted attitudes.
But let’s take a moment to discover the roots of the matter—or why “petty” feels prejudiced.
Black Contributions to Country Music
Black people are not just coming to country music in 2024—we began it.
* Banjo Music, 17th Century: The akonting, the forerunner of the banjo, is a traditional instrument of the Jola people in Senegal, The Gambia, and Guinea-Bissau. Enslaved Africans reconstructed similar instruments for their entertainment and that of their masters.
* Fisk Jubilee Singers, 1871: Introduced spirituals and gospel music that influenced the emotional storytelling we find in country music.
* DeFord Bailey, 1927: The first African American to perform on Nashville radio station WSM’s Grand Ole Opry, known for his harmonica skills and often referred to as a “harmonica wizard.”
* Ray Charles, 1960: His album Modern Sounds became his first to top the Billboard 200, and also made him the first Black musician to be granted artistic control by a mainstream record label.
* Charley Pride, 1966: Outsold Elvis and John Denver for RCA Records. He had 30 No. 1 hits and 52 Top-10 hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, becoming one of the most successful country artists of all time.
* Linda Martell, 1969: The first Black woman to perform at the Grand Ole Opry.
* Kane Brown, 2018: The first artist to top five US country charts simultaneously.
* Lil Nas X, 2019: Released “Old Town Road,” which sparked debates about the definition of country music. It spent 19 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100, breaking records.
* Mickey Guyton, 2021: Became the first Black female solo artist nominated for a Grammy in a country category.
* Shaboozey, 2024: His hit “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” tied with “Old Town Road” for the longest-running No. 1 on the Hot 100.
* Beyoncé, February 2024: Her single “Texas Hold ’Em” reached No. 1 on the country airplay chart, making her the first Black woman to achieve this milestone.
* Beyoncé, March 2024: Her album Act II: Cowboy Carter became the first by a Black woman to top the Billboard country albums chart since its inception in 1964.
In 2024, with country music’s Black origins, why are we still seeing “firsts”? Upon being given the Innovator Award by iHeart Radio, Beyoncé said, “My hope is that we’re more open to the joy and liberation that comes from enjoying art without preconceived notions.”
13 Minutes of Defiance
Obviously, the roots and Beyoncé’s achievements weren’t enough. Some still say she doesn’t belong in country music. The CMA snub gave all the haters—those less innovative—a moment to gloat. Beyoncé, with 13 minutes, proved you don’t need to be accepted by aged, fearful, or wrong-thinking gatekeepers. She didn’t ask their permission—she reached out and owned the moment. Her performance was an unapologetic declaration of belonging.
Beyoncé’s defiance can be defined in layers:
* Historical nods: Her floral carriage evoked early Juneteenth parades and all white, representing Juneteenth parties of celebration.
* Black excellence: The choreography showcased line dancing, cultural dances, and the inclusion of HBCU bands like Texas Southern’s Ocean of Soul.
* Symbolism: Riding a Lipizzaner horse—a breed born black and turning white with age—served as commentary on the whitewashing of country music’s Black roots. She featured Ja’Dayia Kursh, Arkansas’s first Black rodeo queen, alongside veiled singers referencing the Yoruba Eyo Festival.
* Nods to Houston: Still Tippin’ (2004) played by a violin while showcasing Black cowboys and Black rodeo is a nod to Houston via the song, where “tippin’” refers to being on 4s, wrapped in four Vogues. These are rims on 1994 Cadillacs (slabbin’). It’s also a reference to the Acres Homes area of Houston, Texas—the “fo-fo” comes from the 44 Metro bus that services the community.
Elevating Others
Watching Beyoncé sing with Tanner Adell, Tiera Kennedy, Reyna Roberts, and Brittney Spencer—all beautiful women in white—was mesmerizing.
Blackbird singing in the dead of nightTake these sunken eyes and learn to seeAll your lifeYou were only waiting for this moment to be freeYou were only waiting for this moment to arise.
Beyoncé didn’t just own 13 minutes—she shared it. She gave everyone who rocks with her a moment to arise and be free:
* The Blackbirds Ensemble: Beyoncé’s group of powerful women performed a reimagining of the Beatles’ Blackbird, a song written by Paul McCartney and inspired by the Civil Rights Movement. The harmony and sisterhood were palpable as they sang. I could feel their support as they stood behind her, holding her up as she walked on, head held high, ready to finish the show.
* Small businesses: Latina entrepreneurs behind ASN Hats created her iconic white hat, a piece now featured on billboards and in advertisements worldwide.
* Young artists: Rising country singers shared the stage, including Shaboozey, whose chart-topping country song—snubbed by the CMAs—finally received its moment to shine. Post Malone also joined Beyoncé on stage, grinning and reveling in the energy of the moment.
* Legacy: Beyoncé’s daughter, Blue Ivy, performed beside her, continuing the tradition of Black cultural storytelling for a new generation.
We’re Not in Competition With Ourselves
Island Queen, my first historical fiction novel, recounts the extraordinary true story of Dorothy Kirwan Thomas—a Black woman who purchased her own freedom and that of her family before building a business empire across the West Indies. Released in 2021, it was my 17th or 18th book, yet some hailed it as my first “serious” work. Ah… but that’s a topic for another podcast.
Translated—or soon to be translated—into Italian, Russian, and Hungarian, Island Queen is one of my most widely circulated titles. I still remember the goosebumps coursing through my arms when it was picked as a GMA Buzz Pick. The magical moment of seeing my book on air and T.J. Holmes, George Stephanopoulos, and Robin Roberts discussing Island Queen was thrilling. And when they declared they were “all in” with my characterization of Dorothy as Dolly Parton, Gloria Steinem, and Oprah wrapped in Regency lace; bang, I shot to the moon.
But then came a troubling question. An acquaintance, let’s call her, Devilena, asked, How do you top this, Vanessa? She followed up with—oh the pressure. She could never dream of writing something better.
I must admit, the notion of topping anything left me a little paralyzed. How does one top that? After all, where does one find another powerhouse combination of Dolly, Gloria, Oprah—and lace?
But this is the wrong mindset.
Follow Beyoncé’s lead. For Beyoncé Bowl, she could have sung Crazy in Love, the 2003 hit that launched her solo career. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Or she could have drawn from her rich catalog of award-winning, global hits:
* Irreplaceable (2006)
* Single Ladies (2008)
* Halo (2009)
* Love on Top (2011)
* Run the World (2011)
* Partition (2013)
* Drunk in Love (2013)
* Formation (2016)
* Cuff It (2022)
Beyoncé could reach back to her Destiny’s Child days and give us hits like:
* Bills, Bills, Bills (1999)
* Say My Name (1999)
* Survivor (2001)
* Bootylicious (2001)
But she didn’t. She didn’t Coachella us. Instead, she performed songs from her current country album, Act II: Cowboy Carter.
It’s not about topping the past—it’s about sharpening your craft. Beyoncé isn’t resting on her laurels; she’s working every aspect of her artistry. Bang. Here it is. Bang. Here I am.
When I write, I must remember I’m not competing with others—or even myself. My goal is to create the most compelling work I can. At its core, every artist—whether working with audio, written words, or visual media—is in competition against time. Everyone has a finite number of hours to create, share, and leave a legacy.
With Your 13 Minutes
Be like Beyoncé. Focus on the story you want to tell. Make it intentional. Make it bold. Make it better. Make it characteristically yours. Execute. Build your table, invite those who celebrate with you to rock with you. And remember to use your gifts to lift others as you rise. You’re Blackbirds, after all.
All your lifeYou were only waiting for this moment to be free.
Blackbirds—writers, singers, artists—fly.Blackbird, take flight. Be free.
Special thanks to the Thread Beehive Scholars: @thelovelyp @candiceobeauty @latinaspoderosas @jadayiakursh @hellofelicia_murell @underthedesknews @hereswhykevin
And historians: Jon Marc Smith and Katie Kapruch, Texas State University
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Women today have many options open to them when it comes to making a living. Just looking around my own circle of friends I see women with careers in law enforcement, in education, in psychology, in child care, and so much more. But in the Regency, the options women had for obtaining money were much more limited.
Marriage and Family
Princess Charlotte Augusta of Wales
Upper-class women would usually have their expenses covered by their husbands (if they were married) or their fathers (if they still lived at home). They might even be given “pin money” to spend – money to cover clothes or other small sundry expenses. Any money a married woman had, however, belonged to her husband. There were cases where wealthy women had some of their property set aside for their exclusive use – these legal arrangements had to be made before marriage under Equity and cost a lot to arrange – but those were rare exceptions. Accepting an offer of marriage was usually a woman’s most important financial decision because she was deciding who would support her for the rest of her life.
Widows could inherit some of their husbands’ property and when their husbands died the women’s own property from before marriage would revert to them. Also, women were allowed to inherit money and property, and if they were single it would belong to them alone.
Work
There were few respectable jobs open to upper-class women, but there were some. The most ordinary were taking care of children by becoming a teacher or a governess, or becoming a paid companion to an older woman, often a relative. Though these were respectable occupations, being forced to work was still a diminution of one’s social status.
Dorothy Jordan
A woman was more likely to be viewed at least a little askance if she became an author. Though it did not put her beyond the pale, those who did sometimes published under an alias to avoid public comment or censure. Worse yet was becoming an actress, especially as it was not at all unusual for actresses to also become either mistresses or prostitutes. One famous actress, Mrs. Jordan, became mistress to the Duke of Clarence, who later became King of England.
Women could also sometimes run or work in shops, and lower-class women often went into service, working as maids or cooks or other domestics for upper-class homes. Less respectably still, many women fed themselves through prostitution, and this was so common in Regency London that the language of the time is rife with slang terms for all the different kinds of prostitutes who made their living in the city.
On the Church of England’s calendar (as well as in the Roman Catholic, Lutheran and other liturgical church calendars), Annunciation Day was the holiday (“holy day”) which celebrated the announcement by the Angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary that she was to bear a son called Jesus who would be the son of God (Luke 1:26-38). It was traditionally celebrated on March 25, nine months before Christmas.
By regency times, Annunciation Day, which was also called Lady Day (the “lady” being the Virgin Mary), occurring around the Vernal Equinox, also was one of the “Quarter Days,” which divided the year into fiscal quarters. Since the spring quarter day had also marked the older New Year, it was the time when landowners and tenants ended and began new contracts, either moving farms or plowing new fields.
The Annunciation, 1610, Hans von Aachen
In the Book of Common Prayers in the Anglican Church, the Scripture readings for Annunciation Day were Psalm 89 for Morning Prayer (service), and Psalms 131, 132 and 138 for Evening Prayer (service).
Psalm 89, a joyful paean foretelling of a savior, is quite appropriate to this church holy day:
The Annunciation, 1489-90, Sandro Botticelli
1I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations. 2For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens.
3I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant, 4Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. Selah….
I read a lot of the more modern Bible translations, but to me nothing improves on the King James’ English for the Psalms. How about you?
Julie is the author five fabulous historical Regency novels. Two of them have been awarded the prestigious Christy award for Inpirational fiction. She has also been a finalist for Romance Writers of America’s RITA award. We’re honored to have her stopping by Regency Reflections today!
KAH: Why did you choose to write stories in the Regency time period?
JK: I’ve long been enamored with British literature in general, having read The Secret Garden and Jane Eyre at a young age. But it wasn’t until later, when I had seen the Pride & Prejudice mini-series and read all of Jane Austen’s books, that I chose the Regency era in particular for the setting of my first historical novel. I jokingly say it’s all Mr. Darcy’s fault!
KAH: I think many of us blame Mr. Darcy! What is your favorite thing about the Regency?
JK: I love the chivalry of the Regency era, the men in tall boots and ladies in beautiful gowns, the balls and manners and restrained attraction. It was a romantic time–at least if you had money! And, compared to some other time periods, I think it can be a little easier and more natural to include Christian content in a Regency novel, when things like prayers, attending services, and having the vicar over to dine were commonplace. (Remember, Jane Austen herself was a clergyman’s daughter. :))
KAH: Which of your books was the most fun to write?
JK: For me, writing books is a lot of hard work. The fun doesn’t come later until when the book is finally finished and people are enjoying it. The icing on the cake? Listening to the audio version. The audio book publishers usually hire talented British actors who perform the characters so distinctly and really bring the book to life. I dream up places to drive just to listen further! I will say The Apothecary’s Daughter and The Maid of Fairbourne Hall were probably the most fun to research–since I was able to travel to England to do so.
KAH: What is the most interesting historical factoid you’ve come across when researching your novels?
JK: It’s not so much any single big discovery, but more the dozens of little historical details I find to bring the stories to life. For me, the most exciting research takes place when I’ve actually been able to travel to England and see the settings I plan to use in my books. For example, The Maid of Fairbourne Hall is about a young lady who finds herself working in service. To research this novel, I read many books about servant life–the sources of most of the epigraphs (quotes) at the beginning of each chapter. My husband and I also had the privilege of touring several old country estates and town houses in England when we traveled there last May. There’s something about walking down those dim stairs and entering the “belowstairs” world (massive kitchens, the servants’ hall, huge water cans that had to be carried up many flights of stairs, the footman’s livery, butler’s pantry, housekeeper’s parlor, sculleries, etc.) that really helped me envision my characters in the scenes I was writing. Hopefully, this allows readers to visualize the scenes as well. I’ve posted several photos of this research trip on my web site if you would like to see them (www.julieklassen.com).
KAH: What is your favorite Regency set book? movie?
JK: I have enjoyed all of Jane Austen’s books (which were published in the Regency era, though written somewhat earlier) as well as the movies based on them. Persuasion and Pride and Prejudice are probably my favorites. One of the most beautiful movies I’ve seen was Bright Star, both in terms of Regency costumes and the beauty of the film itself.
KAH: Tell us about your most recent release.
JK: I’ve been looking forward to writing a book like this for some time, first, because my novels are set in the Regency era when live-in servants were common. And second, because I’ve really enjoy programs like Upstairs-Downstairs, and more recently, Downton Abbey, which portray the life of servants as well as the people they serve. So, I’m very happy to have written my own “belowstairs” novel and am thrilled so many people seem to be enjoying it.
The Maid of Fairbourne Hall is about a well-born lady, Margaret Macy, who disguises herself as a housemaid to avoid marriage to a dishonorable man. But she never planned on actually working as a servant. And certainly not in the home of two former suitors! As Margaret fumbles through the first real work of her life, she is soon entangled in intrigues both belowstairs and above.
I hope you will enjoy the book. Thanks for having me here!
Probably the most infamous of the taxes was the window tax. It was doubly bad because there was also a Glass Excise tax. So you got taxed when you bought the glass for the window and then taxed for having the window.
Next time you’re reading (or writing!) a Regency novel, pay attention to the number of people running around performing services for all the characters. All of them drew a tax from their employers. Footmen, butlers, valets, game-keepers, grooms, and gardeners all added together to make money to fund wars on the American and French fronts. The scale was as difficult to figure out as their money.
Yes, the Church of England was also in the game of raising funds. At the time the church was responsible for much more than religious education, fellowship, and Godly worship. They also cared for the roads, the poor, and upkeep of certain public buildings – including the place of worship.
Beau Brummel has long been considered an important figure in Regency history. His friendship with the Prince Regent and his charm and wit brought him influence and prestige. He became the ultimate arbiter of fashion, with many historians crediting him with the transition from knee breeches to trousers.
Kristi here with special guest Julie Klassen!
KAH: Which of your books was the most fun to write?