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Author Archives R.S. Fleming

A Missing Purse

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Quantock Hall, early December 1848 “Good morning, Mr. Smythe.” Kate swept happily into the warm library, sunlight pouring in the windows. She smiled at the elderly butler and stepped towards a bookshelf. “How are you?” “Troubled, my lady.” Smythe stood by Earl Beaufort’s desk, hands clasped and trembling. “There should …


Ghost in the Gloaming

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Quantock Hall, late November 1848 “Say hullo to everyone for me!” Kate called. “God’s speed!” Kate stood outside of Quantock Hall and watched her father and step-mother depart in their grand coach and four, paintwork gleaming in the sunlight, the horses matching bays. She might have accompanied them on this …


Reconnoiter & Request

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Quantock Hills, Somersetshire, early November 1848 “I’m tired of discussing Hugh’s visit.” “We needn’t speak of him, unless you want to, my lady.” “I should be studying formulae.” Kate led Isabel deeper into the front garden. “I have an examination on Euclid and Mr. Bradley’s practical geometry this afternoon. Miss …


Young Lady Katelyn Elizabeth, Adventures of 1847 & 1848

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Below you will find links to the chapters covering events in Kate’s life, from her thirteenth birthday to her débutante presentation at court to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. These were originally posted as blog articles but have been converted to pages. Unfortunately, the pages cannot be commented on, and …


Hussars, Dragoons, & Lancers; the glorious British cavalry of the mid 1800s

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We hope you enjoy the articles and short stories presented here, and will join Kate in her adventures for many years to come. Upon request, you will receive an inscribed copy of Kate Tattersall Adventures in China with every donation of $10 or more plus shipping. Please use the Contact Page to provide your …


What a Delightful Habit; lovely Victorian ladies and their horse riding clothes

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We hope you enjoy the articles and short stories presented here, and will join Kate in her adventures for many years to come. Upon request, you will receive an inscribed copy of Kate Tattersall Adventures in China with every donation of $10 or more plus shipping. Please use the Contact Page to provide your …


Victorian Fashion Terms; N ~ Z

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Please refer to the previous article, Victorian Fashion Terms; A ~ M, for an introduction. Nonchalantes were the first elasticized corsets, marketed around 1850 as travelling corsets. Rubber had been used in clothing for about twenty years, and started to be less smelly and more durable. However, these early elasticized …


Victorian Fashion Terms; A ~ M

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We hope you enjoy the articles and short stories presented here, and will join Kate in her adventures for many years to come. Upon request, you will receive an inscribed copy of Kate Tattersall Adventures in China with every donation of $10 or more plus shipping. Please use the Contact Page to provide your …


Victorian Make-up Recipes; powders, lip salves, creams, & other cosmetics of the 1800s

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We hope you enjoy the articles and short stories presented here, and will join Kate in her adventures for many years to come. Upon request, you will receive an inscribed copy of Kate Tattersall Adventures in China with every donation of $10 or more plus shipping. Please use the Contact Page to provide your …


British Currency During the Victorian Era; knowing your farthings from your florins

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We hope you enjoy the articles and short stories presented here, and will join Kate in her adventures for many years to come. Upon request, you will receive an inscribed copy of Kate Tattersall Adventures in China with every donation of $10 or more plus shipping. Please use the Contact Page to provide your …


Cane Guns; Victorian concealed firearms of gentlemen & cads

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We hope you enjoy the articles and short stories presented here, and will join Kate in her adventures for many years to come. Upon request, you will receive an inscribed copy of Kate Tattersall Adventures in China with every donation of $10 or more plus shipping. Please use the Contact Page to provide your …


Incredible Victorian Inventions & the Roots of Steampunk

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When writers like Jules Verne (1828-1905) and artists such as Albert Robida (1848-1926) began dreaming up the first works of science fiction, they were wondering what might be possible based on the fantastic creations of the Victorian era. Most people today aren’t aware of what the daring inventors managed to accomplish, …


British Infantry Swords & the Royal Navy Boarding Cutlass of the the early to mid 1800s

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We hope you enjoy the articles and short stories presented here, and will join Kate in her adventures for many years to come. Upon request, you will receive an inscribed copy of Kate Tattersall Adventures in China with every donation of $10 or more plus shipping. Please use the Contact Page to provide your …


British Cavalry Sabres of the early to mid 1800s

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We hope you enjoy the articles and short stories presented here, and will join Kate in her adventures for many years to come. Upon request, you will receive an inscribed copy of Kate Tattersall Adventures in China with every donation of $10 or more plus shipping. Please use the Contact Page to provide your …


A Note For Students; in regards to book reports and projects

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If you’ve selected Kate Tattersall Adventures in China for a book report I’m flattered, thank you very much. I hope this article will help, and you find the mid 1800s a very interesting era to study. The adventure is over 41,000 words, so it should be long enough to meet …


Victorian Feminine Ideal; about the perfect silhouette, hygiene, grooming, & body sculpting

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We hope you enjoy the articles and short stories presented here, and will join Kate in her adventures for many years to come. Upon request, you will receive an inscribed copy of Kate Tattersall Adventures in China with every donation of $10 or more plus shipping. Please use the Contact Page to provide your …


Military Rifles in the mid 1800s

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During the early 19th century, muzzle-loading flintlock muskets were the weapon of choice for the infantry. These firearms were crafted long, so even when three ranks deep there was no danger of shooting a cohort in the back, and could be fixed with bayonets for close combat, again taking the …


Early Victorian Nightclothes; casual cosy attire for ladies

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We hope you enjoy the articles and short stories presented here, and will join Kate in her adventures for many years to come. Upon request, you will receive an inscribed copy of Kate Tattersall Adventures in China with every donation of $10 or more plus shipping. Please use the Contact Page to provide your …


Royalty, Nobility, Gentry, & Titles; a matter of Victorian ranks & precedence

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We hope you enjoy the articles and short stories presented here, and will join Kate in her adventures for many years to come. Upon request, you will receive an inscribed copy of Kate Tattersall Adventures in China with every donation of $10 or more plus shipping. Please use the Contact Page to provide your …


Victorian Women in Trousers, Pants, Breeches & Pantaloons

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We hope you enjoy the articles and short stories presented here, and will join Kate in her adventures for many years to come. Upon request, you will receive an inscribed copy of Kate Tattersall Adventures in China with every donation of $10 or more plus shipping. Please use the Contact Page to provide your …


Chinese Opium Trade; as it was in the mid 1800s

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In the 1840s Britain grew wealthy on the sale of opium. It had been prescribed for decades in various forms by medical practitioners as countless remedies, usually in small doses. However, the narcotic was also abused, and created pitiful addiction for the users. It was legal to ship and sell …


Mourning Dress During the Early Victorian Era

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We hope you enjoy the articles and short stories presented here, and will join Kate in her adventures for many years to come. Upon request, you will receive an inscribed copy of Kate Tattersall Adventures in China with every donation of $10 or more plus shipping. Please use the Contact Page to provide your …


Roots of the British Secret Service

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Officially, the British Secret Intelligence Service formed in 1909 under the name of Secret Service Bureau, in a response to the perceived threat caused by activities of the Imperial German Government. However, international intrigue is clearly documented well back over five centuries. Perhaps one of the best examples is Sir …


Early Victorian Era Make-up; cosmetics & embellishments

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We hope you enjoy the articles and short stories presented here, and will join Kate in her adventures for many years to come. Upon request, you will receive an inscribed copy of Kate Tattersall Adventures in China with every donation of $10 or more plus shipping. Please use the Contact Page to provide your …


Spatterdashes, Gaiters, Spats; for protection, warmth, & disguise

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We hope you enjoy the articles and short stories presented here, and will join Kate in her adventures for many years to come. Upon request, you will receive an inscribed copy of Kate Tattersall Adventures in China with every donation of $10 or more plus shipping. Please use the Contact Page to provide your …


Parasols During the Early Victorian Era

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We hope you enjoy the articles and short stories presented here, and will join Kate in her adventures for many years to come. Upon request, you will receive an inscribed copy of Kate Tattersall Adventures in China with every donation of $10 or more plus shipping. Please use the Contact Page to provide your …


Pistol Duelling during the Early Victorian Era

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We hope you enjoy the articles and short stories presented here, and will join Kate in her adventures for many years to come. Upon request, you will receive an inscribed copy of Kate Tattersall Adventures in China with every donation of $10 or more plus shipping. Please use the Contact Page to provide your …


Sabre Duelling during the Early Victorian Era

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A matter of honour, settled with sabres, was still somewhat common during the Early Victorian era (1837 to 1861*). In the German States it had evolved into duelling clubs, mostly based at universities, where young men gleefully slashed at each other regularly over any slight, wanting to receive wounds as …


Duels and Duellists, an Early Victorian View; Introduction

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When examining duelling during the 19th century, a clear division must be made between sabres and pistols. When it came to swordplay, combatants could agree to first blood, or to the death. Pistols, on the other hand, immediately indicated a desire to kill your opponent, as any wound was more …


Penny Dreadfuls; the Victorian era adventures for the masses

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We hope you enjoy the articles and short stories presented here, and will join Kate in her adventures for many years to come. Upon request, you will receive an inscribed copy of Kate Tattersall Adventures in China with every donation of $10 or more plus shipping. Please use the Contact Page to provide your …


“Coming Out” During the Early Victorian Era; about debutantes

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We hope you enjoy the articles and short stories presented here, and will join Kate in her adventures for many years to come. Upon request, you will receive an inscribed copy of Kate Tattersall Adventures in China with every donation of $10 or more plus shipping. Please use the Contact Page to provide your …


Early Victorian Women’s Hats; Part 3, wear whatever you like

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We hope you enjoy the articles and short stories presented here, and will join Kate in her adventures for many years to come. Upon request, you will receive an inscribed copy of Kate Tattersall Adventures in China with every donation of $10 or more plus shipping. Please use the Contact Page to provide your …


Early Victorian Women’s Hats; Part 2, for sun & riding

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We hope you enjoy the articles and short stories presented here, and will join Kate in her adventures for many years to come. Upon request, you will receive an inscribed copy of Kate Tattersall Adventures in China with every donation of $10 or more plus shipping. Please use the Contact Page to provide your …


Early Victorian Women’s Hats; Part 1, concerning bonnets

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We hope you enjoy the articles and short stories presented here, and will join Kate in her adventures for many years to come. Upon request, you will receive an inscribed copy of Kate Tattersall Adventures in China with every donation of $10 or more plus shipping. Please use the Contact Page to provide your …


Boots for an Adventuress; what did Kate Tattersall wear?

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When we started looking at drawing images of Kate we referenced fashion plates from the era. However, the women’s feet were generally hidden by the long skirts of the times. Research shows there existed many styles of footwear: plain buttoned ankle brogues, to high-heeled knee-high laced decorated boots, and everything inbetween. …


Steam Power in the mid 1800s

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The first “horseless carriage” to be demonstrated in London was constructed by Richard Trevithick in 1803. It was designed as a passenger vehicle and averaged between 4 to 9 mph (6.5 to 14.5km), similar to a trotting horse. While the propulsion system seemed to be fine, and perhaps could have …


19th Century False Teeth; or why Kate Tattersall practised good dental hygiene

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We hope you enjoy the articles and short stories presented here, and will join Kate in her adventures for many years to come. Upon request, you will receive an inscribed copy of Kate Tattersall Adventures in China with every donation of $10 or more plus shipping. Please use the Contact Page to provide your …


Early Victorian Undergarments; Part 3, pantalettes, pantalets, drawers, & bloomers

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We hope you enjoy the articles and short stories presented here, and will join Kate in her adventures for many years to come. Upon request, you will receive an inscribed copy of Kate Tattersall Adventures in China with every donation of $10 or more plus shipping. Please use the Contact Page to provide your …


Early Victorian Undergarments; Part 2, chemises, camisoles, and a little on stays & corsets

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We hope you enjoy the articles and short stories presented here, and will join Kate in her adventures for many years to come. Upon request, you will receive an inscribed copy of Kate Tattersall Adventures in China with every donation of $10 or more plus shipping. Please use the Contact Page to provide your …


Early Victorian Undergarments; Part 1, luxurious silk hose, colourful stockings, & socks

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We hope you enjoy the articles and short stories presented here, and will join Kate in her adventures for many years to come. Upon request, you will receive an inscribed copy of Kate Tattersall Adventures in China with every donation of $10 or more plus shipping. Please use the Contact Page to provide your …


Early Victorian Undergarments; an introduction, and about silk

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When Queen Victoria was crowned in 1837 the Romantic Era was still affecting fashion. Styles between 1837 and 1856 are sometimes known as Early Victorian, ending with the Crimean War and the invention of synthetic dyes, and it is a subject I never gave much consideration. It was only confusion …


Early Victorian Eyeglasses; what did Kate Tattersall wear?

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We hope you enjoy the articles and short stories presented here, and will join Kate in her adventures for many years to come. Upon request, you will receive an inscribed copy of Kate Tattersall Adventures in China with every donation of $10 or more plus shipping. Please use the Contact Page to provide your …


Links of Interest for Victorian Era Enthusiasts

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Victorian London by Lee Jackson. The Victorian Web. Correct Forms of Address by Laura Wallace. Fashion & Courtship in The Victorian Era by Fragrance X Library. Victorians on the BBC website. 19th Century Fashion from the Victoria & Albert Museum. Health & Medicine in the 19th Century from the Victoria …


Early Victorian Handguns; Part 3, Kate Tattersall’s pistols

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What was special about the weapons Kate carried on her missions? They were the creations of her brother, Jack Beaufort, a brilliant inventor who drew from the skills of others and combined them for startling results. The descriptions and technical drawings are similar to any number of pepperbox revolvers which …


Early Victorian Handguns; Part 2, problems with design

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There were some surprisingly good handgun designs by the early 1850s. While many of the finest were produced in London, an outstanding model was designed and manufactured by Samuel E. Robbins and Richard S. Lawrence of Windsor, Vermont, from about 1851 to 1854. A total of about 7,000 of these …


Early Victorian Handguns; Part 1, a time of great change

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The need to stop many men at once was a problem gunsmiths had been working on for some time. Volley guns, whether long arms or hand held, were developed in the 1700s. First as flintlocks, then as percussion cap and hammer, these weapons fired (or misfired) all the barrels at …


Kate Tattersall; a little bio

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We hope you enjoy the articles and short stories presented here, and will join Kate in her adventures for many years to come. Upon request, you will receive an inscribed copy of Kate Tattersall Adventures in China with every donation of $10 or more plus shipping. Please use the Contact Page to provide your …


Kate Tattersall, Victorian Adventuress Extraordinaire

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For a few years I’ve been sorting through a set of diaries and bundles of letters that were kept by my ancestor and crafting them into readable accounts. It has been a challenge as she often refers to certain aspects of her life which requires research. I have determined that …