Eight Lesser Known Facts About Mansfield Park
Mansfield Park is the first of Jane Austen’s three later novels she wrote in full whilst Jane was living at Chawton Cottage. She started writing Mansfield Park in February 1811 whilst…
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Jane Austen 250 News: The Watsons at The Art of Writing Exhibition
I shall retreat in as much secrecy as possible to the most remote corner of the house, where I shall order a barrel of oysters, and be famously snug. Jane…
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Jane Austen Travel: The National Trust
Miss Maria Ward of Huntingdon, with only seven thousand pounds, had the good luck to captivate Sir Thomas Bertram, of Mansfield Park, in the county of Northampton, and to be…
Jane Austen’s Family: Nephew Edward’s Funny Poem
The Memoir of my Aunt, Jane Austen, has been received with more favour than I had ventured to expect. James Edward Austen-Leigh in the Preface to Memoir of Jane Austen James…
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Jane Austen’s Birthday 16 December
Jane was born on the cold frosty night of 16 December 1775 in Steventon, near Basingstoke in Hampshire. She was the seventh of eight children, and one of two sisters.…
Ten Wonderful Things about Emma
Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and happy disposition, seemed to unite some of the best blessings of existence; and had lived nearly twenty-one years in the…
A Jane Austen Christmas
I sincerely hope your Christmas… may abound in the gaieties which the season generally brings. Christmas was a special time for Jane. December was the month of her birthday after…
For the Love of Mr Darcy
My real purpose was to see you, and to judge, if I could, whether I might ever hope to make you love me. Mr Darcy, Pride and Prejudice This is…
Persuasion
You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are gone for ever. I offer myself to…
Jane Austen Travel: Stoneleigh Abbey
“Under Mrs Rushworth’s guidance were shown through a number of rooms, all lofty, and many large, and amply furnished in the taste of fifty years back, with shining floors, solid…
Jane Austen Travel: Jane Austen Festival Bath
Oh! Who can ever be tired of Bath! Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey Asks the young Catherine Morland, when she first enters the city of pleasures, which Bath was in the…
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Jane Austen’s Brother James
Jane Austen’s eldest brother James was the oldest sibling in the family, and the first published author in the family. Reverend James Austen, Jane Austen’s Brother (Public Domain) Born 13…
Exhibition Review: Chawton In Stitches
Chawton House Library13 May to 26 August 2024 This exhibition showcases the work of award-winning graduate of the Royal School of Needlework Emily Barnett, whose degree project took inspiration from…
Jane Austen Dancing at The Vyne
William, Mary and Thomas Lobb left their family home in Norfolk and moved to The Vyne in Hampshire when their father inherited the estate from a distant Chute grandmother. In…
Eight Little Known Things About Edward Austen
8 Things you may not know about Jane Austen’s Brother Edward Austen Knight Born 7 October 1767 – Died 19 November 1852 Edward Austen died peacefully at his Godmersham home at…
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Jane Austen’s Friend: Anne Brydges Lefroy
BORN 1 March 1749 – 16 December 1804 Madam Lefroy was born Anne Brydges on 1 March 1749 in Wootton Court, near Canterbury. As inscribed on the border of the…
Jane Austen on St Swithin’s Day
The day preceding her death, she composed some stanzas replete with fancy and vigour. James Edward Austen-Leigh in the Preface to Memoir of Jane Austen On 15 July 1817, three days…
A Sister’s Love: Cassandra Austen
Born 9 January 1773 – Died 22 March 1845 Cassandra Austen is well known as the most treasured sister of Jane Austen. They were born almost three years apart and were…
Jane Austen’s Last Birthday 16 December 1816
Jane wrote one of her last surviving letters on Monday 16 December 1816. She was celebrating her 41st birthday, and it would be her last before she sadly passed away…
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Jane Austen Treasures: Pelisse Coat
Jane Austen’s silk pelisse is the most well provenanced item of clothing believed to have been worn by Jane. It was given to Hampshire County Museum Services and Archives by…
Visiting brother Edward at Godmersham Park
Alone in the library, Mistress of all I survey… five Tables, Eight and twenty Chairs & two fires all to myself. Jane Austen Letter dated September 25, 1813 Jane often…
Regency Fashion: Ackermann’s Repository of Arts
The Repository of Arts, Literature, Commerce, Manufactures, Fashions, and Politics was a monthly periodical that was published from January 1809 to December 1828 by Rudolph Ackermann. It is often referred to…
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Jane Austen Treasures: Topaz Cross
Jane was living in Bath when she and Cassandra received a gift of topaz crosses. Their youngest brother Charles was born four years after Jane and joined the Navy like…
Regency Fashion: La Belle Assemblée
As well as reading Ackermann’s Repository of Arts for its fashion plates and styles, Jane also read the popular La Belle Assemblée. It was launched in February 1806 by John…
The Amazing Fanny Palmer
Frances Fitzwilliam “Fanny” Palmer Austen Heartily do we pray for the safety of all that travel by sea. Jane Austen Prayer Fanny Palmer was born in June 1790 and died…
Exhibition Review: My Dear Cassandra
My Dear Cassandra.. A Year of Cassandra spring exhibition opens at the Jane Austen House Museum on 22 March and will run until 29 October 2023. At the forefront of…
Jane Austen’s Brother: Oh What a Henry!
Henry Thomas Austen Born 8 June 1771 died 12 March 1850 Growing up in Steventon, the rectory was a happy and harmonious place partly due to Henry Thomas Austen. He was…
The Love of Jane Austen’s Life: Tom Lefroy
Born in Limerick, Ireland, on 8 January 1776 (one year after Jane) and died on 4 May 1869, age 93. At length the day is come on which I am…
