HOW TO ‘MAKE IT’ IN REGENCY LONDON
From 1811 to 1820, Prince George, the eldest son of King George III and Queen Charlotte, was appointed as Prince Regent of the United Kingdom on behalf of his father. The king, who had suffered from recurring bouts of mental illness and breakdowns, had been deemed unfit to rule. Although George’s reign as Prince Regent lasted less than a decade, it was a time of great cultural, political and social change that subsequently became known as the Regency period.
When thinking of the Regency – or 19th century England in general – the social season probably crosses your mind. Coinciding with the sitting of Parliament, members of the upper class, known as ‘the ton’, would arrive in London from their stately, country homes to engage in both politics and socialising.
Although the timing of the season shifted, it typically started in January or February and ended in July or August and was a time for fashionable society gatherings, as well as the perfect opportunity to arrange marriages.
Surviving the social season revolved around many factors including etiquette, fashion and avoiding scandal – here’s our guide on how to ‘make it’ among the highest echelon of British society.
MIND YOUR MANNERS
Etiquette was a high-stakes game
It was extremely important to be aware of the rules of etiquette before arriving in London for the social season. If you failed to meet the high standard of behaviour expected from members of the ton in their gatherings then your reputation would be at risk. This was especially a concern for the ladies, as a damaged reputation would hamper their marriage prospects and
