The Regency Companion

by Sharon Laudermilk, Teresa L. Hamlin

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Historical, Writing, Reference, Regency

351 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1989

Reviews

[Lucy]

Much is explained that I didn’t know about the Regency period, but much is also left unexplained, including some of the slang, which the authors use as though it were common and current.
Chapters are: The London Season; The Fashionable Lady; The Fashionable Gentleman; Romance, Courtship and Marriage; How They Played; How They Lived; The Rest of the Year; The Horse; The Real World and the Real People; A Dictionary Guide to Rude and Vulgar Slang and Cant. There is also a Selective Bibliography and an Index.
Reading this would help in understanding much of the background to Regency romances, especially Georgette Heyer, the Queen of Regency romance.

[Monisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is definitely good for anyone who is interested in the Regency period. Whether you want to learn more because you're a history buff or you want to understand the Regency-based novels you're reading or you're a writer researching for your novel, this book is the book for you. I absolutely adore The Regency Companion. I don't know what I would do without it.

Do keep in mind that the information in the book is geared more towards the Regency upper-class. However, I've found that most books of the same nature also deal more heavily with the Regency upper-class.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the out-of-print reference book that cost me one hundred and thirty euro. It is interesting and informative, but I expected it to be written a little more ... factually. For no good reason the authors adopted the tone of a Heyer novel in their writing. References are messy and often repeated, such as Brummell's parting shot to Prinny (granted, 'Alvanley, who's your fat friend?' is one for the ages) or descriptions of Prinny's marriage to Mrs Fitzherbert. Still, if I was ever to write that Regency (gay) romance, this is the book I'd turn to.

[Quirkyreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good piece of reference for those interested in the Regency Period. Georgette Heyer fans, keep this book on hand while reading her novels.

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this for additional background on the time period that Jane Austen lived in - or part of it since her life straddled Georgian and Regency England. The book was very well researched and thorough with well divided up chapters on various topics like Regency females, Regency Males, How they Lived, How they Played and etc. I particularly found the information about the Prince Regent, Beau Brummell, and other figures of that time period of interest as well as the deplorable lack of medical knowledge at the time. A good read overall that does a good job of keeping from getting too dry in voice, however it would have been helpful to refer to the glossary of terms at the beginning and place it at the back instead of as a chapter. It caused some confusion as the author persisted in speaking in jargon from the time period without defining it or noting there was a glossary. I found the glossary in the last chapter (instead of at the end) and wished I had known of it during the rest of the book so I didn't have to constantly google terms like "chit," "addle pate," or dab which the book was littered with and the context didn't always give a good enough idea of the definition. An enjoyable read overall though Daniel Poole's What Jane Austen Ate and Charles Dickens Knew was a bit more fun and remains my favorite go to for info on the period.

[Linda (NOT RECEIVING NOTIFICATIONS) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must-have for anyone who enjoys or wants to understand the Regency period from 1811-1820. It is a reference book that not only characterizes the lifestyles of many famous people that lived back then but also covers language, fashion, the reasons for marriage and more.

History students and authors of historical romances are other people who will find it interesting. Published in 1989, you will probably have the best luck finding it at your local library. If found, the copies that people are willing to sell are listed for ridiculous prices.

I have read quite a few romances from this era and, honestly, I developed a bitter taste for this group of people who expected to be served everything without question. Boredom occurred so both sexes turned to self-gratification and not with the most pleasant results. Still, I found it an education and a necessary book with a wealth of knowledge. Kudos to the two authors for their excellent research in it putting together. And yes, I will still read romances from this time hoping to find true love among the aristocrats.

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Regency Companion is a detailed resource of England's Regency Period, which lasted from 1811 to 1820. This book gives a wonderful perspective of the London season, the fashions of the time, romance, courtship, marriage, leisure activities as well as daily activities, country life, the many uses of the horse, a timeline of major events, an alphabetical listing of important people of the day (including Jane Austen!), and a dictionary of slang from the period. This book is stuffed full of everything you could want to know about the Regency Period!

[Marianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was surprisingly easy to read and entertaining. It focuses almost exclusively on the bon ton, and usually the most fashionable and decadent members. Lots of detail about Beau Brummell and Prinny, as well as other Regency notables. Many interesting details of what their lives were like. One quibble was that they used Regency slang from the very start, without explaining any of it until the glossary at the end.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent resource for both readers and writers of the Regency era. This book was chock full of interesting tidbits I wouldn't have otherwise found.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone who loves the regency - this is THE BOOK. Easy to read, informative, absolutely wonderful.

[Lynne]

Useful if superficial listings of What Happened In The Regency. Like many Companion style volumes, most useful for seeking keywords/search terms/definitions of things that you might not recognize immediately, and/or that you need to find better, more comprehensive sources.