A Jane Austen Holiday

Last Sunday I was invited by Tiffany of Stitchin’ Addiciton to be a guest on her literary Instagram live series. The topic of discussion was A Jane Austen Holiday. We discussed dinner, decor and Darcy in the Regency era. 

A Jane Austen Holiday

In preparation for the LIVE video I perused a lovely cookbook, Dinner With Mr. Darcy by Pen Vogler. 

I selected two recipes to create. The first was Negus. Negus is a beverage made of wine, hot water, lemon juice, sugar, and nutmeg. It was created by by colonel Francis Negus in the early 18th century. This hot port drink is mentioned in Mansfield Park, in Jane Austen’s inimitable description of Fanny leaving the ball where she danced with Henry Crawford.

“Shortly afterwards, Sir Thomas was again interfering a little with her inclination by advising her to go immediately to bed.  “Advise” was his word, but it was the advice of absolute power, and she had only to rise and, with Mr. Crawford’s very cordial adieus, pass quietly away; stopping at the entrance door, like the Lady of Branxholm Hall, “one moment and no more,” to view the happy scene, and take a last look at the five or six determined couple, who were still hard at work–and then, creeping slowly up the principle staircase, pursued by the ceaseless country-dance, feverish with hopes and fears, soup and negus, sore-footed and fatigued, restless and agitated, yet feeling, in spite of every thing, that a ball was indeed delightful” (280-81, Oxford Edition).

The drink later fell out of fashion and in later Victorian times the drink was considered a children’s punch. This made me giggle a bit. It was probably due to the Negus. 

Flummery

For my second recipe selection I selected flummery. Flummery is a white gelatin based dessert that was set in elegant molds. Gelatin based savories and sweets were extremely popular in the Regency era. I wrote about this in my Regency Valentine Tea post. I wanted to use the amazing antique glass molds that my friend Nicola had gifted to me. 

While flummery was not specifically mentioned in any of Austen’s books there are jelly-related desserts mentioned  in Mansfield Park, when Mrs. Norris takes home a large quantity of left over jellies after a party. 

“It was only better than Mrs. Norris’s sharp answers would have been; but she being gone home with all the supernumerary jellies to nurse a sick maid, there was peace and good-humour in their little party, though it could not boast much beside.”

Old Christmas: From The Sketch Book of Washington Irving. Illustrated by R Caldecott

In the 2020 film version of Emma we see Harriet taking part in a game known as Bullet Pudding. A mold was used to create the flour shape. 

While not specifically mentioned in any of Miss Austen books she was well familiar with the game. In The Book of Christmas by Jane Struthers the author writes that Jane Austen’s family enjoyed the game every Christmas.

“Bullet Pudding” illustration by Francis Hayman.

I share the step by step preparations of flummery in this week’s video. It was rather hilarious. but delicious results were achieved. 

Tiffany selected gingerbread cookies to bake…Original painting by William Heath, etching by Thomas McLean, printer, in 1830.

…as well as delicious currant buns.

Both were delicious!

Presenting the Plum Pudding, engraving. 

A Regency Era Christmas Tree

In the video we also discuss what holiday decorations would have looked like during the Regency era. 

The decorations include wreaths, garlands, candlelight and more. 

In 1800 Queen Charlotte, born in Mirow, Germany, gave a party for the children of the families at Windsor. One decorative item noted was a small tree in a pot. A Dr. John Watkins attended the party and wrote:  

From the branches of which hung bunches of sweetmeats, almonds and raisins in papers, fruits and toys, most tastefully arranged; the whole illuminated by small wax candles. After the company had walked round and admired the tree, each child obtained a portion of the sweets it bore, together with a toy, and then all returned home quite delighted.

A Georgian Christmas Tree, American illustration, 1836

While Christmas trees had been enjoyed in Germany since the time of Martin Luther pine trees had only been recently introduced to the United Kingdom in 1800. Thus such trees were rare and valuable. Only a select few would have had access to a newly planted specimen to create a Christmas tree. 

Illustration artist unknown. 

Indeed if any Christmas tree was present in a home during the Regency era it would probably have been a small tabletop tree. 

Illustration artists unknown.

Princess Victoria enjoyed a Christmas tree throughout her childhood. This is probably due to that her mother, the Duchess of Kent, was a German born Princess. In 1840 Queen Victoria married Prince Albert, a German prince. Magazine illustrations began to publish pictures of the Royal Family with their Christmas tree and from this the popularity of the trees spread throughout to all classes. 

1848 engraving of the royal family decorating a tree, artist unknown. 

Twelfth Night

During the era of Jane Austen the entire 12 Days of Christmas was celebrated.

Dance in the Château St. Louis, Quebec, 1801, George Heriot 

It culminated in the hugely popular celebration of Twelfth Night.

Merry-Making in Farmer Shakeshaft’s Barn, 1858, by English artist and illustrator Hablot Knight Brown, who used the pen name “Phiz”.

I wrote about the Twelfth Night holiday in great detail. As this post is already quite lengthy I encourage you to read that post for more information. 

Twelfth Night, 1794, Issac Cruickshank

There is also an accompanying video that shares a historical overview and our Twelfth Night table decor. 

The clothing worn in that video is featured in this post.

This Week’s Video

Get cozy with a nice warm beverage for this week’s video. 

The dress and apron that I wear in the video was covered in this post. 

I hope you have enjoyed A Jane Austen Holiday!

This is quite the season indeed for friendly meetings. At Christmas, everybody invites their friends about them, and people think little of even the worst weather. ~ Mr Elton, Emma 

I’ll be back on Sunday with another very special post and holiday video.

Spoiler alert: it’s set in the 1870s!

Laura