Almack’s History
As Ton Central for Regency high society, Almack's was all about exclusivity. That meant keeping out “mushrooms” (rich social climbers) and other undesirables. Almack's - a History To keep things classy, a cabal of gatekeepers from the highest ranks of society – the Ladies Committee - issued annual (sometimes monthly) vouchers to a closely-vetted list of subscribers. A voucher was a kind of pre-approval, enabling the holder to purchase tickets to balls. They could also bring a guest; those up to snuff were granted “stranger’s tickets.” Vouchers were printed on heavy card and at about 2.5 [...]
Regency Matchmakers
Regency Matchmakers: In 1810 at the Court of Chancery a marriage broker took legal action to recover fees from a client who refused to pay when he failed to snare his ideal bride. In his quest to find a wife of rank and wealth (he stipulated she should bring £1500 a year to their union), General Burr had paid a retainer of £20 to Mrs. Morris of the "Marriage Institution," Margaret St. Cavendish Square. Sources vary on the fee he had agreed to pay on the day of his marriage: either £1000 or [...]
Other Interesting Posts
Outsiders Within – Romani in the Regency
By the time 'Gypsies' appeared on the pages of Jane Austen, Sir Walter Scott and Maria Edgeworth, Romani people had been in England for centuries. Sidebar: Believing the copper-skinned migrants to hail from Egypt, the Europeans had coined the term "Gypsies" for these migrants. Some consider [...]
