Happy Friday, friends! I am so excited to welcome Noell Chesney to Austenesque Reviews today! As you might have seen her gorgeous debut release All That This Entails celebrated its release this week! 🥳 Woot woot! I love the premise of the Bennets being elevated to the peerage! Should be interesting to see the impact that has on them!! 😮 Noell is here today to share a little of what she learned while writing and editing this book! We hope you enjoy!
When you’ve read Jane Austen’s novels multiple times over the last 25 years. And you’ve seen the 
movies and miniseries. And you’ve immersed yourself in fanfiction and variations of Jane Austen’s stories and world and characters, you begin to feel that you know all about Regency England. However, when you decide to write a variation of your own, you begin to realize exactly what you know!
Once I had decided to write a variation that involved inheritances and titles, I knew I had some research to conduct. As an American, the idea of aristocracy is somewhat foreign to me. The closest I’d ever come to any type of aristocrat was a high school teacher who was originally from England. His family owned an estate and we jokingly called him “Lord Hurst” in a terrible British dialect which he sportingly allowed. (No relation to the Hursts in Pride & Prejudice as far as I’m aware.) Because there is no American aristocracy, we don’t have volumes about the peerage. However, the Brits do! The works by DeBrett’s are probably some of the most famous having started publishing lists in 1769. I was unable to get a copy from my local library, so I utilized the online information that DeBrett’s publishes. It was a great resource. I learned about the different ranks and titles. It was also a great resource for how members of the peerage are addressed by different people and other forms of courtesy and etiquette.
Unfortunately, DeBrett’s did not have all the information that I needed. When I was unable to find the answers in DeBrett’s, I searched other websites and found what I could. This is also how I answered other questions I had regarding inheritances, wills, entailments, Regency weddings & marriages, and other issues of which I’ve had no personal experience. I wanted the idea of the Bennet’s inheritance to be plausible, but still somewhat sensational. When I first posted my story on the online forums, I received some feedback that the amounts of money the inheritance would generate seemed unrealistic for the time period. I had to consider that Darcy is said to have made £10,000 per year. The Bennets, with their inheritance, needed to have considerably more income for my story, but I apparently went a little too high initially. I listened to that feedback and scaled back the amount of annual income the estates generated as well as the dowries to give to the Bennet daughters.
Another challenge was, of course, what to call Agatha, who had been the Duchess of Everard until the untimely and unexpected deaths of her husband and brother-in-law. Again, we turned to Debrett’s, as well as a second source, Titles and Forms of Address: A Guide to Their Correct Use. London: A. & C. Black Ltd., Third Edition, 1932.
Agatha was a unique challenge because she was not truly a dowager, as she was the cousin of the Duke, not the mother. But what to call a duchess-turned-cousin was unclear, particularly since, as an older, more experienced woman, she assumed a maternal role within the family, in helping the ladies of the house adapt to their new position. A dowager duchess, as you see in the table below, can be called, by her close friends and family as Duchess FirstName. So, despite the fact she was not truly the dowager, given her age and her role within the family, we felt it was appropriate that the newly raised Bennet family should call her Duchess Agatha, as if she were a dowager. After all—she had lost so much it seemed rather hard to make her lose her name along with it!
|
PERSON |
Announced formally or addressed on formal correspondence as |
Salutation on formal corres- pondence |
Announced informally or addressed on social correspondence as |
Salutation on social correspondence |
Addressed in speech as |
Referred to in speech as |
Signature on social correspondence |
|
DUKE |
His Grace the Duke of Everard |
My Lord Duke |
His Grace The Duke of Everard |
Dear Duke of Everard (or, more familiarly, Dear Duke) |
The first time in conversation: Your Grace (by inferiors) or Duke (by social equals) followed by Sir (or Everard if addressed by a very close friend or relative) |
His Grace (by inferiors), or The Duke (by social equals) |
Everard |
|
DUKE’s WIFE |
Her Grace, The Duchess of Everard |
Madam |
Her Grace The Duchess of Everard |
Dear Duchess of Everard (or, more familiarly, Dear Duchess) |
First time in conversation: Your Grace (by inferiors) or Duchess (by social equals) followed by Madam or Ma’am |
Her Grace (by inferiors) or The Duchess by social equals |
Agatha Everard |
|
DUKE’s MOTHER |
Her Grace The Dowager Duchess of Everard or Her Grace First Name, The Duchess of Everard |
Madam |
Her Grace The Dowager Duchess of Everard or Her Grace First Name, The Duchess of Everard |
Dear Duchess of Everard (or, more familiarly, Dear Duchess) |
First time in conversation: Your Grace (by inferiors) or Duchess (by social equals) followed by Madam or Ma’am |
Her Grace (by inferiors) or the Dowager Duchess, or Duchess First Name (by social equals) |
First Name Everard |
Then during the editing process, it was interesting to discover how many phrases or words I had used that were not in the vocabulary of Jane Austen and her characters. I am glad that most of them weren’t’t as modern as our time, but several came from the 1850’s or similar eras. Being an absolute novice to the writing world, I had not even thought about these issues when I wrote the story originally. It is a very interesting process to write a story and then go through editing, especially when you haven’t looked at the manuscript in over 12 years! It was also enjoyable to work with the different editors and get their perspectives on what worked and what did not.
The entire journey has been such a unique experience. I’m very grateful for the interest and the ability to share this story with a larger audience. I hope that it adds to the world of Jane Austen fanfiction in a positive way and allows more people to delve into the world of Regency England and come to know it in a way that I’ve always found fascinating.
Thank you so much for sharing, Noell! I always love hearing about the research involved and what authors learn while writing their stories! In the world of Austenesque/JAFF we don’t encounter many dukes and duchesses – so this will indeed feel like new territory for many of us I’d imagine! Best of luck with your debut release, Noell! I am so excited for you!! 🤗
~ Book Description ~
I am the daughter of a Duke!
ELIZABETH BENNET COULD SCARCELY CREDIT THE NEWS when a letter sent to her father, from relations she did not know existed, informed them that untimely and unfortunate events would result in Mr Bennet inheriting the dukedom of Everard. In the blink of an eye, the Bennets’ lives are transformed— Elizabeth and her four sisters are wealthy, titled, and the talk of the ton.
AT PEMBERLEY, FITZWILLIAM DARCY is still stinging from Elizabeth Bennet’s rejection of him at Hunsford when he learns the extraordinary news. Elizabeth Bennet—now Lady Elizabeth—has been elevated in an extraordinary fashion and is soon to become the most sought-after lady of the season.
But Darcy’s heart still belongs to her, as much as it ever did, and he sets off for London determined to win her hand. But can he prove to her that he has changed, particularly when her entire life has just altered?
This Pride & Prejudice variation is a novel-length tale using the characters of Jane Austen in a story of the author’s imagining.
~~~
~ About Noell ~
Noell Chesney’s childhood love of reading lead to an introduction as a young woman to the works of Jane Austen. The second of four sisters, though no fear of starving in the hedgerows, resulted in a special affinity for Elizabeth Bennet. After reading numerous works of fanfiction by other authors, a decision to try her hand at composing her own story was born. Noell Chesney has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Colorado. She enjoys cooking, boating, camping, and of course reading. She and her husband, Benjamin, live in Highlands Ranch, CO with their three children and two dogs.
GIVEAWAY TIME!
In conjunction with this lovely blog tour, Quills and Quartos will be giving away an ebook of All That This Entails to one lucky reader who comments on this post.
To enter this giveaway, leave a comment, question, or some love for Noell below!
- This giveaway is open worldwide! Thank you, Quills and Quartos.
- This giveaway will end December 28th.
~~~
Follow Noell’s Tour!
Well that is a fascinating look into the research that goes into a project like this. I’m always interested in learning more about where to find additional information (I love research!). This sounds like a very interesting premise, and I look forward to reading the book. Thanks for sharing!
What a fabulous blog piece, Noell. It’s great fun roaming around the metaphorical hills of regency era. I’ve nearly forgotten to pick up the kids more than once as a result of getting stuck down a research rabbit hole! All that wonderful investigation you did is sure to have paid off and produced a great read. Can’t wait to delve in!
Mr. Bennet as a duke is a real stretch of the imagination for me. Looking forward to reading how the Bennet’s adapt to their new circumstances. I’m hoping the thoughts of one Miss Caroline Bingley are included!!!
I read and enjoyed this book also. Good luck with the release.
I’m fascinated by the amount of research you authors do in order to write your story! Personally I wouldn’t notice if you used words not in use at the time but I do know there are many people who would (and even some who would delight in pointing them out)
I’m really looking forward to this one especially as I believe it has a romantic Darcy (who could resist that?)
Congratulations on a lovely final product, Noelle! The work you put in shows!
I’ve probably read the online fanfic version of this story a dozen times and loved it. I’m excited to see it in its new published version!
Thank you Noell for a very interesting insight. You have undertook such in-depth research to ensure your books’ authenticity. I look forward to reading it. The plot sounds very different to other fan fiction. I so enjoy anything Austen. As a brit, I can say that I find our peerage system very complex. Thank you.
I am looking forward to reading this. Congrats on publication.
This is a charming book! I thoroughly enjoyed it! Mr. Darcy is so sweet and affectionate in this story, and that’s my favorite version of Mr. Darcy. 🙂
(Please do not enter me in the contest.)
This looks like a fantastic P&P story. Cannot wait to read it. Just added to my wish list at A. Wishing you swift sales in addition to a Happy Christmas season.
Hi Noell!
The premise of your novel is charming! WOW The Bennets are at the top of society! Bravo! I imagine Caroline Bingley green of envy LOL!
I’m looking forward to seeing how the plot develops!
Thanks for the giveaway and I wish you the very best in your release!
Love the premise and enjoyed learning how to address a duke and his wife and mother.
Congratulations on your debut novel, Noell! And I must say that cover is absolutely stunning!! So stunning, I bought the paperback and hope to read it in the New Year!! I love ‘outside the box’ stories and this is definitely one! Happy Holidays and A Better and Brighter New Year!!
Thanks Meredith for hosting, hello to your Mr. Bingley. This was a most excellent post. I love the chart. How interesting. I loved this story and read it twice while it was on the forums and read an ARC of it just recently… still loved it. Thanks for deciding to publish it. Blessings on its success and good luck to all in the drawing. Everyone stay safe and healthy.
I am so looking forward to reading this new book.
The information shared of the research that went into this is so much fun to read about, one of my favorite things from an author guest appearance! I am not going to be able to express this correctly, but I’ll try: It makes me so proud of our favorite genre here whenever I read about all the work ‘to make things right’ in these stories. I would love to see JAFF get all the respect it deserves. So reading your post today Meredith, and learning just a fraction about all the time you spent on research Ms Chesney, has me wanting to read All That This Entails really soon.
Congratulations on your book baby’s launch, and here’s to its great success!
Thank you so much for sharing a bit in the process. There is always so much to learn. And thank you, Meredith, for hosting this wonderful author. I wish the both of you the best of luck!
Congratulations on this release. Looking forward to reading it.
How fascinating! But could you please clarify if the mother of a duke is the dowager duchess even if she was never a duchess before her son inherited?
I will be bookmarking this review for future reference, as I’ve suffered through researching these titles myself – to less success.
My understanding is that the mother of a duke is a dowager duchess as long as she inherited title or property from her duke husband.
I am an anglophile, and I love Jane Austen’s books. You have written a fantastic story, that I look forward to reading.
love how you thoroughly researched the book
denise
Thank you for the look into titles and modes of address. I had no idea it was so complicated.
What an interesting story this will be, I enjoy books where Elizabeth and Darcy are closer to equals. Although here it looks like Elizabeth is above Darcy! How delicious!
Thank you for the research of correct names to call one who is titled. It will be fun to see how Darcy responds to Mrs. Bennet. I am especially waiting to see how Caroline Bingley will react! Darcy has his work to woe Elizabeth. Thank you for the giveaway.
Thanks for sharing your research. It’s so fascinating. I’m looking forward to reading this soon!
I read the story online, and I am interested in reading the final product. Congrats on publishing, and thank you for sharing some of your research!
Love your unique premise! Can’t wait to read it!
Congratulations! Thank you for sharng thisinsight into the titles/salutation.
Eager to know what happens in the bennet’s affairs after this, and of course with ODC
Wonderful, informative piece on title etiquette!
I love this table! Thank you so much for sharing; it is really useful 🙂
Congrats on the new release! I appreciate you sharing all the work you put into making the book as accurate as possible and what you learned in the process. 🙂
I was intrigued by this plot the first time I heard about it, and am intrigued still! Another book to go on the TBR mountain for sure. Thanks for the insight about research (I have done plenty for my own JAFF work!), and for offering up a copy for free.
Thanks for the post. I’d love to read this!
The lockdown reignited my appetite for Pride and Prejudice variations. I am so excited to hopefully win and read All That This Entails! Elizabeth Bennet as the daughter of a duke will probably have a lot of suitors and Darcy will face a competition! Can’t wait to read it:)
I’m fascinated by the research involved, and look forward to reading your debut novel! Congratulations and thank you for sharing!