The Regency era in England lasted from 1811 to 1820, when George IV ruled as Prince Regent due to his father's illness, King George III (in popular terms, sometimes it's counted as 1795-1837). Despite the brief span of nine years, this period has seen a lot of literature and drama that has captivated readers for generations since.
The manners, fashions, and aristocratic society of the Regency era have provided fertile ground for works of romantic fiction set in that time. The narrow streets of London, ornate drawing rooms, scandals at glamorous balls, and clandestine meetings in lush gardens have all become beloved backdrops and tropes in the popular genre of Regency Romance.
While the term "Regency Romance" is most familiar, there are actually several distinct sub-genres that have emerged in fiction portraying this era:
Traditional Regency Romance
These are the "purest" forms, aiming for an authentic feel by adhering closely to the realistic boundaries of Regency society's restrictive rules and etiquette around courtship and marriage. Stories generally focus on the heroine's quest to make a wise and advantageous match amongst the landed gentry. Novels by Georgette Heyer are considered the gold standard of this style. (You might think Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen would be, but it is not technically Historical Fiction as it was a contemporary novel released during the era.)
Regency Historical Romance
While still set in early 19th-century England, these romantic tales take more creative license by incorporating more sensuality, adventure, mystery subplots, and removing some boundaries of historicity. Best-selling authors like Mary Balogh, Julia Quinn, Tessa Dare, and Stephanie Laurens are modern examples.
Regency Historical Fiction
Stretching beyond the romance genre, these works are set in the Regency period but have less emphasis on courtship and romantic relationships. They explore the broader historical setting, real events/figures, family sagas, upstairs/downstairs dynamics, and cultural aspects through the panoramic lens of fiction. Novels like Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke exemplify this category.
Regency Paranormal/Fantasy
A unique imaginative twist where elements of the supernatural, magical universe, or speculative fiction are blended into romantic tales set against typical Regency backdrops and themes. A pioneering novel is Mary Robinette Kowal's Glamourist Histories series, imbuing early 19th-century high society with glamor artists who practice magic-imbued visuals.
From passion-filled love stories to supernatural-tinged alt-histories, the Regency period has proven an enduring and inspiring setting for fiction writers to recreate and re-imagine in creative new ways over the past few decades. The longevity and diversity of these sub-genres demonstrate the era's eternal ability to beguile readers across genres.
What is your favourite part of Regency Romances/Fiction?
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Sands of Time - Engagement Weeks
Historical FictionSands of Time is an event that focuses on a full week of fun activities in a single theme.
