Anyone who was wealthy enough to afford it was expected to wear mourning dress when a family member or friend died. During the early Victorian era the requirements weren’t as strict as they would become later (after Prince Albert died). Full mourning generally lasted a year, but could be as long as two, and half mourning up to a further two. For widows the first year was the most restrictive, with black clothing and isolation. The materials used for mourning attire were dull, crepe being silk but not shiny, and black piping would edge shirts along with black buttons. Jewellery was often made…
The Thrilling Tales of a Remarkable Young Lady:
Kate had just come into society, not yet sixteen, the daughter of an Earl, when she unknowingly became a courier for the British Secret Service. Then, through circumstances and desire, their first Lady operative and carried out clandestine tasks from 1849 to 1855.
Discover a little about those missions of high adventure. Join Kate as she uses her intellect, charm, and aplomb, and her brother's fantastic inventions, to work her way through each desperate situation.
Kate Tattersall Adventure China, Spring ~ Autumn 1849
In which the Lady remembers how much she longed for excitement as a tomboy, and takes on the mantle of Adventuress.
Kate Tattersall Adventure India, late Autumn 1849
In which the Adventuress, flushed with her early success, takes on a much more perilous tasking that would have been far beyond most ladies, or men, of her day.
Kate Tattersall Adventure Ireland, Spring and Summer 1850
In which the Adventuress adopts a new disguise, experiences failure, and out of necessity acts most unladylike.
Content Advisory
Similar to the sensational Penny Dreadfuls of the Victorian era, these adventures contain mature themes and violence. We recommend them as suitable for young adults, and adults of all ages who are young at heart.
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Kate’s brother, Jack Beaufort, was also employed by the British Secret Service due to his genius as an inventor. He provided the weapons and devices that gave the operatives an upper hand while carrying out their taskings. Most of what he built wouldn’t seem fantastic today, but at the time his creations were brilliant, and gave a huge advantage to Kate and the other spies. Thankfully a couple of Jack’s notebooks were found along with the letters and diaries. His scribblings are often indecipherable, but the images are quite clear.
This is a particularly fine drawing of a five barrel pistol. It…
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 Francis Walsingham (1532 to 1590).
He was Principal Secretary to Elizabeth I of England from 1573 until 1590, and is popularly remembered as her spymaster. Walsingham is frequently cited as one of the earliest practitioners of modern intelligence methods both for…