Pat here—dragging you down into the sewers with me. Silly me, I started poking around Roman sewers for a plot point in next spring’s School of Magic series, and then, of course, I had to look up Victorian sewers to see how my various heroes would repair the plumbing in their respective renovations. (Ask me about our 21st century plumbing problems, and you’ll know where I get my ideas!)
My poking dropped me down a research bunny hole I thought you might find entertaining. I don’t suppose any of you have ever seen the fabulous Victorian pumping stations in London? (That's the Abbey Mills station in the photo) Absolutely enormous, decorated better than any early 20th century movie palace—for sewage. The mind boggles. So does the story.
The sewer story starts in June 1858 when London underwent a horrific heat wave. Now, that might not have been so 
problematic under normal circumstances, but it just so happens that the brand new Houses of Parliament were almost, finally, completed after the disastrous fire in 1834. All the lords and representatives were rightfully eager to move in. As the heat gathered, the River Thames, right outside the windows of Parliament, ripened—horrifically. Try to imagine a hot manure pile combined with an overripe outhouse coupled with the chemical sulfur smell of methane. . .
The Thames had been polluted since the beginning of time. Generally, houses had cesspools and the night-soil men would clean them out and haul the waste away as fertilizer. But liquids seeping through the cesspools, horse dung, and open sewers all washed into the river. To make matters worse, at the end of the eighteenth century, the invention of the flush toilet allowed sewage to be washed directly into the water, bypassing the rudimentary protection of the cesspools.
To show you how bad it was, here’s a gas light on Carting Lane that was originally lit by the methane gas from the build-up of decomposing–umm–materials in the sewers. Obviously, the lane was nicknamed Farting Lane.
Parliament tried everything to block out the stench of the river, including soaking sheets in disinfectant and hanging them in the windows. But the brand new, extremely expensive building, was quite obviously uninhabitable. Fear of disease alone prevented any work getting done.
In the 1850s they had microscopes that could examine the water and see all the filthy creatures floating around in it. They suspected a connection between disease and contaminated drinking water, but the prevailing theory was that disease was caused by foul air. Parliament didn’t fear the water—although they certainly should have. They feared the smell of it.
If the Thames couldn’t be cleaned up, they would have to abandon the new Parliament and relocate outside London. Desperate politicians performed the impossible—they passed a bill for a new sewage system for all London in eighteen days. By the end of July, they had approved the expenditure of £2.5 million (about £300 million in today’s money). The Big Stink had to have driven them out of their minds. 
In 1855, an act had been passed centralizing the sewer and water systems. The act allowed a sewage system that would be for “preventing as far as may be practicable, the sewage of the Metropolis from passing into the River Thames within the Metropolis.” The language, plus the enormous allotment of funds, allowed Joseph Bazalgette, chief engineer of the Metropolitan Board of Works, to put into action an ambitious plan he’d been working on for years.
If you want to read more about how Bazalgette replaced 165 miles of sewer and built 1100 miles of new ones, start here. https://www.open.edu/openlearn/science-maths-technology/engineering-technology/how-london-got-its-victorian-sewers
Without mechanical diggers, they had to shovel 3.5 million cubic yards of earth and lay 318 million bricks and made previously unknown Portland cement a household word. It took until 1868 to finish the entire project, well over budget, needless to say.
Some of the sewer pumping stations were so grandiose that they were named after royalty and royalty attended their grand opening ceremonies. 
(Inside Crossness Station on right)
My poor hero is a mere engineer without that kind of money or royalty to help him, but I now know he can use Portland cement to repair anything that needs repairing.
How much reality do you want to see in your historical romance? <G>
Great article, Pat.
I’ve read a couple of articles about these pumping stations and was taken by the grandioseness of them. The picture you showed of Crossness Station is beautiful.
I always wonder for whom they are decorated. I have the same wonder when I see buildings with carvings and sculptures placed at the level of the second, third or higher story. Who sees them. If you are walking by, you have to stop and crane your neck to get just a glimpse of them. In no way are you able to see the intricacies of the artwork, which is such a shame.
As far as reality in historical romance, I like there to be quite a bit. It is one reason I read the genre and don’t care for modern romance. So, please continue down the rabbit holes.
Great article, Pat.
I’ve read a couple of articles about these pumping stations and was taken by the grandioseness of them. The picture you showed of Crossness Station is beautiful.
I always wonder for whom they are decorated. I have the same wonder when I see buildings with carvings and sculptures placed at the level of the second, third or higher story. Who sees them. If you are walking by, you have to stop and crane your neck to get just a glimpse of them. In no way are you able to see the intricacies of the artwork, which is such a shame.
As far as reality in historical romance, I like there to be quite a bit. It is one reason I read the genre and don’t care for modern romance. So, please continue down the rabbit holes.
Great article, Pat.
I’ve read a couple of articles about these pumping stations and was taken by the grandioseness of them. The picture you showed of Crossness Station is beautiful.
I always wonder for whom they are decorated. I have the same wonder when I see buildings with carvings and sculptures placed at the level of the second, third or higher story. Who sees them. If you are walking by, you have to stop and crane your neck to get just a glimpse of them. In no way are you able to see the intricacies of the artwork, which is such a shame.
As far as reality in historical romance, I like there to be quite a bit. It is one reason I read the genre and don’t care for modern romance. So, please continue down the rabbit holes.
Great article, Pat.
I’ve read a couple of articles about these pumping stations and was taken by the grandioseness of them. The picture you showed of Crossness Station is beautiful.
I always wonder for whom they are decorated. I have the same wonder when I see buildings with carvings and sculptures placed at the level of the second, third or higher story. Who sees them. If you are walking by, you have to stop and crane your neck to get just a glimpse of them. In no way are you able to see the intricacies of the artwork, which is such a shame.
As far as reality in historical romance, I like there to be quite a bit. It is one reason I read the genre and don’t care for modern romance. So, please continue down the rabbit holes.
Great article, Pat.
I’ve read a couple of articles about these pumping stations and was taken by the grandioseness of them. The picture you showed of Crossness Station is beautiful.
I always wonder for whom they are decorated. I have the same wonder when I see buildings with carvings and sculptures placed at the level of the second, third or higher story. Who sees them. If you are walking by, you have to stop and crane your neck to get just a glimpse of them. In no way are you able to see the intricacies of the artwork, which is such a shame.
As far as reality in historical romance, I like there to be quite a bit. It is one reason I read the genre and don’t care for modern romance. So, please continue down the rabbit holes.
Great post, Pat! I saw a tv programme about this and it is incredible! I love Victorian buildings in any shape or form 🙂 Thank goodness they got rid of the stench!
Great post, Pat! I saw a tv programme about this and it is incredible! I love Victorian buildings in any shape or form 🙂 Thank goodness they got rid of the stench!
Great post, Pat! I saw a tv programme about this and it is incredible! I love Victorian buildings in any shape or form 🙂 Thank goodness they got rid of the stench!
Great post, Pat! I saw a tv programme about this and it is incredible! I love Victorian buildings in any shape or form 🙂 Thank goodness they got rid of the stench!
Great post, Pat! I saw a tv programme about this and it is incredible! I love Victorian buildings in any shape or form 🙂 Thank goodness they got rid of the stench!
Wonderful information.
The London situation is more grandiose and more important than the St. Louis one — but St. Louis has clean water because of the 1904 World’s Fair. City water had come directily for the Mississippi (which had all mud from the upper Missouri being dumped into it just north of the city. Something needed to be done for the fair! So the first settling tanks were created, the mud was settled out and chemicals were added to keep the water safe.
I was never taught HOW the settling tanks worked, but the reason behind their existence is true history.
And, as a side note — the ice from the ice-making machines must have been more attractive when not frozen from muddy water. If the water had stayed muddy would we have had ice cream cones?
Wonderful information.
The London situation is more grandiose and more important than the St. Louis one — but St. Louis has clean water because of the 1904 World’s Fair. City water had come directily for the Mississippi (which had all mud from the upper Missouri being dumped into it just north of the city. Something needed to be done for the fair! So the first settling tanks were created, the mud was settled out and chemicals were added to keep the water safe.
I was never taught HOW the settling tanks worked, but the reason behind their existence is true history.
And, as a side note — the ice from the ice-making machines must have been more attractive when not frozen from muddy water. If the water had stayed muddy would we have had ice cream cones?
Wonderful information.
The London situation is more grandiose and more important than the St. Louis one — but St. Louis has clean water because of the 1904 World’s Fair. City water had come directily for the Mississippi (which had all mud from the upper Missouri being dumped into it just north of the city. Something needed to be done for the fair! So the first settling tanks were created, the mud was settled out and chemicals were added to keep the water safe.
I was never taught HOW the settling tanks worked, but the reason behind their existence is true history.
And, as a side note — the ice from the ice-making machines must have been more attractive when not frozen from muddy water. If the water had stayed muddy would we have had ice cream cones?
Wonderful information.
The London situation is more grandiose and more important than the St. Louis one — but St. Louis has clean water because of the 1904 World’s Fair. City water had come directily for the Mississippi (which had all mud from the upper Missouri being dumped into it just north of the city. Something needed to be done for the fair! So the first settling tanks were created, the mud was settled out and chemicals were added to keep the water safe.
I was never taught HOW the settling tanks worked, but the reason behind their existence is true history.
And, as a side note — the ice from the ice-making machines must have been more attractive when not frozen from muddy water. If the water had stayed muddy would we have had ice cream cones?
Wonderful information.
The London situation is more grandiose and more important than the St. Louis one — but St. Louis has clean water because of the 1904 World’s Fair. City water had come directily for the Mississippi (which had all mud from the upper Missouri being dumped into it just north of the city. Something needed to be done for the fair! So the first settling tanks were created, the mud was settled out and chemicals were added to keep the water safe.
I was never taught HOW the settling tanks worked, but the reason behind their existence is true history.
And, as a side note — the ice from the ice-making machines must have been more attractive when not frozen from muddy water. If the water had stayed muddy would we have had ice cream cones?
In a mystery such as Andrea’s Wrexford and Sloane series, I like to have a hero skirting around piles of dung as he walks in a less than savory area in London, up to his the ankles of his highly polished dress boots if necessary. It helps set the tone of the book.
In a historical Romance, if a lady is walking through Mayfair with her maid then the streets would have been better kempt, but not to the standards we enjoy today. She may have to pay a coin to a boy who is sweeping the crossroads. A chance encounter can be created if a hero whips off his cloak to prevent a lady from being splashed with offal and could turn her head that he’s not such a dastardly rogue as she though he was.
Plumbing can also provide a little humor or tension to a romance. I can imagine a hero trying to fix the plumbing in his own house or property, He’s working shirtless, and the plumbing…well belches. He’s now covered like Andy Dufresne in “the Shawshank Redemption” after his escape through a river of excrement. He has lost all sense of timing and the lady he’s trying to charm is due for tea. She sees him in his dishabille and predicament, but the stench prevents her from appreciating a half naked man. He’s trying to apologize as she hastily retreats.
It depends on the book as to how grimy the various settings needs to be.
In a mystery such as Andrea’s Wrexford and Sloane series, I like to have a hero skirting around piles of dung as he walks in a less than savory area in London, up to his the ankles of his highly polished dress boots if necessary. It helps set the tone of the book.
In a historical Romance, if a lady is walking through Mayfair with her maid then the streets would have been better kempt, but not to the standards we enjoy today. She may have to pay a coin to a boy who is sweeping the crossroads. A chance encounter can be created if a hero whips off his cloak to prevent a lady from being splashed with offal and could turn her head that he’s not such a dastardly rogue as she though he was.
Plumbing can also provide a little humor or tension to a romance. I can imagine a hero trying to fix the plumbing in his own house or property, He’s working shirtless, and the plumbing…well belches. He’s now covered like Andy Dufresne in “the Shawshank Redemption” after his escape through a river of excrement. He has lost all sense of timing and the lady he’s trying to charm is due for tea. She sees him in his dishabille and predicament, but the stench prevents her from appreciating a half naked man. He’s trying to apologize as she hastily retreats.
It depends on the book as to how grimy the various settings needs to be.
In a mystery such as Andrea’s Wrexford and Sloane series, I like to have a hero skirting around piles of dung as he walks in a less than savory area in London, up to his the ankles of his highly polished dress boots if necessary. It helps set the tone of the book.
In a historical Romance, if a lady is walking through Mayfair with her maid then the streets would have been better kempt, but not to the standards we enjoy today. She may have to pay a coin to a boy who is sweeping the crossroads. A chance encounter can be created if a hero whips off his cloak to prevent a lady from being splashed with offal and could turn her head that he’s not such a dastardly rogue as she though he was.
Plumbing can also provide a little humor or tension to a romance. I can imagine a hero trying to fix the plumbing in his own house or property, He’s working shirtless, and the plumbing…well belches. He’s now covered like Andy Dufresne in “the Shawshank Redemption” after his escape through a river of excrement. He has lost all sense of timing and the lady he’s trying to charm is due for tea. She sees him in his dishabille and predicament, but the stench prevents her from appreciating a half naked man. He’s trying to apologize as she hastily retreats.
It depends on the book as to how grimy the various settings needs to be.
In a mystery such as Andrea’s Wrexford and Sloane series, I like to have a hero skirting around piles of dung as he walks in a less than savory area in London, up to his the ankles of his highly polished dress boots if necessary. It helps set the tone of the book.
In a historical Romance, if a lady is walking through Mayfair with her maid then the streets would have been better kempt, but not to the standards we enjoy today. She may have to pay a coin to a boy who is sweeping the crossroads. A chance encounter can be created if a hero whips off his cloak to prevent a lady from being splashed with offal and could turn her head that he’s not such a dastardly rogue as she though he was.
Plumbing can also provide a little humor or tension to a romance. I can imagine a hero trying to fix the plumbing in his own house or property, He’s working shirtless, and the plumbing…well belches. He’s now covered like Andy Dufresne in “the Shawshank Redemption” after his escape through a river of excrement. He has lost all sense of timing and the lady he’s trying to charm is due for tea. She sees him in his dishabille and predicament, but the stench prevents her from appreciating a half naked man. He’s trying to apologize as she hastily retreats.
It depends on the book as to how grimy the various settings needs to be.
In a mystery such as Andrea’s Wrexford and Sloane series, I like to have a hero skirting around piles of dung as he walks in a less than savory area in London, up to his the ankles of his highly polished dress boots if necessary. It helps set the tone of the book.
In a historical Romance, if a lady is walking through Mayfair with her maid then the streets would have been better kempt, but not to the standards we enjoy today. She may have to pay a coin to a boy who is sweeping the crossroads. A chance encounter can be created if a hero whips off his cloak to prevent a lady from being splashed with offal and could turn her head that he’s not such a dastardly rogue as she though he was.
Plumbing can also provide a little humor or tension to a romance. I can imagine a hero trying to fix the plumbing in his own house or property, He’s working shirtless, and the plumbing…well belches. He’s now covered like Andy Dufresne in “the Shawshank Redemption” after his escape through a river of excrement. He has lost all sense of timing and the lady he’s trying to charm is due for tea. She sees him in his dishabille and predicament, but the stench prevents her from appreciating a half naked man. He’s trying to apologize as she hastily retreats.
It depends on the book as to how grimy the various settings needs to be.
What a fascinating post, Pat! I’ve been enjoying the comments, too. I appreciate historical detail in the books I read, but some limits are good, too.
What a fascinating post, Pat! I’ve been enjoying the comments, too. I appreciate historical detail in the books I read, but some limits are good, too.
What a fascinating post, Pat! I’ve been enjoying the comments, too. I appreciate historical detail in the books I read, but some limits are good, too.
What a fascinating post, Pat! I’ve been enjoying the comments, too. I appreciate historical detail in the books I read, but some limits are good, too.
What a fascinating post, Pat! I’ve been enjoying the comments, too. I appreciate historical detail in the books I read, but some limits are good, too.
I loved this piece and it is fascinating. How they managed big projects such as this with the equipment they had amazes me. I enjoy reading such things in the stories as it gives the characters historic connections. I especially like new inventions as part of a story or how new machines progress in development with the story.
For many readers, sewage treatment may not be of much interest in a historic romance. All these processes and life changes had their start in past decades and improved our living conditions.
I loved this piece and it is fascinating. How they managed big projects such as this with the equipment they had amazes me. I enjoy reading such things in the stories as it gives the characters historic connections. I especially like new inventions as part of a story or how new machines progress in development with the story.
For many readers, sewage treatment may not be of much interest in a historic romance. All these processes and life changes had their start in past decades and improved our living conditions.
I loved this piece and it is fascinating. How they managed big projects such as this with the equipment they had amazes me. I enjoy reading such things in the stories as it gives the characters historic connections. I especially like new inventions as part of a story or how new machines progress in development with the story.
For many readers, sewage treatment may not be of much interest in a historic romance. All these processes and life changes had their start in past decades and improved our living conditions.
I loved this piece and it is fascinating. How they managed big projects such as this with the equipment they had amazes me. I enjoy reading such things in the stories as it gives the characters historic connections. I especially like new inventions as part of a story or how new machines progress in development with the story.
For many readers, sewage treatment may not be of much interest in a historic romance. All these processes and life changes had their start in past decades and improved our living conditions.
I loved this piece and it is fascinating. How they managed big projects such as this with the equipment they had amazes me. I enjoy reading such things in the stories as it gives the characters historic connections. I especially like new inventions as part of a story or how new machines progress in development with the story.
For many readers, sewage treatment may not be of much interest in a historic romance. All these processes and life changes had their start in past decades and improved our living conditions.
I would be interested in reading an historical comparison between British and French sewer system development.
I remember my dad telling me about the open sewers that he witnessed when he was in French Guyana during WWII.
I would be interested in reading an historical comparison between British and French sewer system development.
I remember my dad telling me about the open sewers that he witnessed when he was in French Guyana during WWII.
I would be interested in reading an historical comparison between British and French sewer system development.
I remember my dad telling me about the open sewers that he witnessed when he was in French Guyana during WWII.
I would be interested in reading an historical comparison between British and French sewer system development.
I remember my dad telling me about the open sewers that he witnessed when he was in French Guyana during WWII.
I would be interested in reading an historical comparison between British and French sewer system development.
I remember my dad telling me about the open sewers that he witnessed when he was in French Guyana during WWII.
Alas, if only I could use all this lovely research in my tales! But I’m afraid I walked away with Portland cement and no more.
Interesting question about the artwork. I suspect artisans were cheap, and the Victorians really did love their intricate detail. Some of their furniture is simply exquisite in detailed carving. In medieval eras, I believe a lot of the work was to discourage demons and evil and plague and whatever superstition beset the builder. But it would be a good topic to research!
Alas, if only I could use all this lovely research in my tales! But I’m afraid I walked away with Portland cement and no more.
Interesting question about the artwork. I suspect artisans were cheap, and the Victorians really did love their intricate detail. Some of their furniture is simply exquisite in detailed carving. In medieval eras, I believe a lot of the work was to discourage demons and evil and plague and whatever superstition beset the builder. But it would be a good topic to research!
Alas, if only I could use all this lovely research in my tales! But I’m afraid I walked away with Portland cement and no more.
Interesting question about the artwork. I suspect artisans were cheap, and the Victorians really did love their intricate detail. Some of their furniture is simply exquisite in detailed carving. In medieval eras, I believe a lot of the work was to discourage demons and evil and plague and whatever superstition beset the builder. But it would be a good topic to research!
Alas, if only I could use all this lovely research in my tales! But I’m afraid I walked away with Portland cement and no more.
Interesting question about the artwork. I suspect artisans were cheap, and the Victorians really did love their intricate detail. Some of their furniture is simply exquisite in detailed carving. In medieval eras, I believe a lot of the work was to discourage demons and evil and plague and whatever superstition beset the builder. But it would be a good topic to research!
Alas, if only I could use all this lovely research in my tales! But I’m afraid I walked away with Portland cement and no more.
Interesting question about the artwork. I suspect artisans were cheap, and the Victorians really did love their intricate detail. Some of their furniture is simply exquisite in detailed carving. In medieval eras, I believe a lot of the work was to discourage demons and evil and plague and whatever superstition beset the builder. But it would be a good topic to research!
It’s a shame it took that level of stench to make them understand that a running river of waste wasn’t healthy!
It’s a shame it took that level of stench to make them understand that a running river of waste wasn’t healthy!
It’s a shame it took that level of stench to make them understand that a running river of waste wasn’t healthy!
It’s a shame it took that level of stench to make them understand that a running river of waste wasn’t healthy!
It’s a shame it took that level of stench to make them understand that a running river of waste wasn’t healthy!
oh, what a though on the ice cream cones! Maybe they had a way of filtering water? The 1904 World’s Fair was such a boon to St Louis in so many ways. It’s a pity we can’t bring that level of innovation to small countries these days.
oh, what a though on the ice cream cones! Maybe they had a way of filtering water? The 1904 World’s Fair was such a boon to St Louis in so many ways. It’s a pity we can’t bring that level of innovation to small countries these days.
oh, what a though on the ice cream cones! Maybe they had a way of filtering water? The 1904 World’s Fair was such a boon to St Louis in so many ways. It’s a pity we can’t bring that level of innovation to small countries these days.
oh, what a though on the ice cream cones! Maybe they had a way of filtering water? The 1904 World’s Fair was such a boon to St Louis in so many ways. It’s a pity we can’t bring that level of innovation to small countries these days.
oh, what a though on the ice cream cones! Maybe they had a way of filtering water? The 1904 World’s Fair was such a boon to St Louis in so many ways. It’s a pity we can’t bring that level of innovation to small countries these days.
I’m laughing as I read the plumbing scenario. I think I came close. Just not quite as spectacularly. May need to rethink that scene.
I’m laughing as I read the plumbing scenario. I think I came close. Just not quite as spectacularly. May need to rethink that scene.
I’m laughing as I read the plumbing scenario. I think I came close. Just not quite as spectacularly. May need to rethink that scene.
I’m laughing as I read the plumbing scenario. I think I came close. Just not quite as spectacularly. May need to rethink that scene.
I’m laughing as I read the plumbing scenario. I think I came close. Just not quite as spectacularly. May need to rethink that scene.
Yeah, I kinda thought a few limits might keep the “romance” in romance.
Yeah, I kinda thought a few limits might keep the “romance” in romance.
Yeah, I kinda thought a few limits might keep the “romance” in romance.
Yeah, I kinda thought a few limits might keep the “romance” in romance.
Yeah, I kinda thought a few limits might keep the “romance” in romance.
it’s probably a matter of how we feed the information to the reader. I really wanted to send my people to London after reading this, but alas, they’re stuck in an ancient castle in Scotland and dealing with Roman plumbing… Now there’s the story I should have researched. Why didn’t all that Roman knowledge stay with us through the dark ages?
it’s probably a matter of how we feed the information to the reader. I really wanted to send my people to London after reading this, but alas, they’re stuck in an ancient castle in Scotland and dealing with Roman plumbing… Now there’s the story I should have researched. Why didn’t all that Roman knowledge stay with us through the dark ages?
it’s probably a matter of how we feed the information to the reader. I really wanted to send my people to London after reading this, but alas, they’re stuck in an ancient castle in Scotland and dealing with Roman plumbing… Now there’s the story I should have researched. Why didn’t all that Roman knowledge stay with us through the dark ages?
it’s probably a matter of how we feed the information to the reader. I really wanted to send my people to London after reading this, but alas, they’re stuck in an ancient castle in Scotland and dealing with Roman plumbing… Now there’s the story I should have researched. Why didn’t all that Roman knowledge stay with us through the dark ages?
it’s probably a matter of how we feed the information to the reader. I really wanted to send my people to London after reading this, but alas, they’re stuck in an ancient castle in Scotland and dealing with Roman plumbing… Now there’s the story I should have researched. Why didn’t all that Roman knowledge stay with us through the dark ages?
Mary Jo told me she’s toured the sewers of Paris, so you have an opportunity… if we can ever travel again.
Mary Jo told me she’s toured the sewers of Paris, so you have an opportunity… if we can ever travel again.
Mary Jo told me she’s toured the sewers of Paris, so you have an opportunity… if we can ever travel again.
Mary Jo told me she’s toured the sewers of Paris, so you have an opportunity… if we can ever travel again.
Mary Jo told me she’s toured the sewers of Paris, so you have an opportunity… if we can ever travel again.
I remember once hearing that the early colonists in America wrote back to England saying that the water was so clean you could drink it!
But I do want at least some reality in my historicals, even if it doesn’t extend to rotten teeth and the details of cleaning out the chamber pots. A bit of reality makes the story believable and keeps it from being nothing but a fairy tale. This is probably even more important when there is magic in the story. Without some historical grounding, it’s all in Never-Never Land.
I remember once hearing that the early colonists in America wrote back to England saying that the water was so clean you could drink it!
But I do want at least some reality in my historicals, even if it doesn’t extend to rotten teeth and the details of cleaning out the chamber pots. A bit of reality makes the story believable and keeps it from being nothing but a fairy tale. This is probably even more important when there is magic in the story. Without some historical grounding, it’s all in Never-Never Land.
I remember once hearing that the early colonists in America wrote back to England saying that the water was so clean you could drink it!
But I do want at least some reality in my historicals, even if it doesn’t extend to rotten teeth and the details of cleaning out the chamber pots. A bit of reality makes the story believable and keeps it from being nothing but a fairy tale. This is probably even more important when there is magic in the story. Without some historical grounding, it’s all in Never-Never Land.
I remember once hearing that the early colonists in America wrote back to England saying that the water was so clean you could drink it!
But I do want at least some reality in my historicals, even if it doesn’t extend to rotten teeth and the details of cleaning out the chamber pots. A bit of reality makes the story believable and keeps it from being nothing but a fairy tale. This is probably even more important when there is magic in the story. Without some historical grounding, it’s all in Never-Never Land.
I remember once hearing that the early colonists in America wrote back to England saying that the water was so clean you could drink it!
But I do want at least some reality in my historicals, even if it doesn’t extend to rotten teeth and the details of cleaning out the chamber pots. A bit of reality makes the story believable and keeps it from being nothing but a fairy tale. This is probably even more important when there is magic in the story. Without some historical grounding, it’s all in Never-Never Land.
I loved this history, Pat. Thank you for posting it.
I love to read as much realism of a time period as possible as long as it works strongly in the story connecting to the characters without it being just background.
I loved this history, Pat. Thank you for posting it.
I love to read as much realism of a time period as possible as long as it works strongly in the story connecting to the characters without it being just background.
I loved this history, Pat. Thank you for posting it.
I love to read as much realism of a time period as possible as long as it works strongly in the story connecting to the characters without it being just background.
I loved this history, Pat. Thank you for posting it.
I love to read as much realism of a time period as possible as long as it works strongly in the story connecting to the characters without it being just background.
I loved this history, Pat. Thank you for posting it.
I love to read as much realism of a time period as possible as long as it works strongly in the story connecting to the characters without it being just background.
Right now, Neverland may be a good place to be… But I agree. Historical romance needs to have history, paranormal or not. It’s the little details that ground the story and make it come alive.
Right now, Neverland may be a good place to be… But I agree. Historical romance needs to have history, paranormal or not. It’s the little details that ground the story and make it come alive.
Right now, Neverland may be a good place to be… But I agree. Historical romance needs to have history, paranormal or not. It’s the little details that ground the story and make it come alive.
Right now, Neverland may be a good place to be… But I agree. Historical romance needs to have history, paranormal or not. It’s the little details that ground the story and make it come alive.
Right now, Neverland may be a good place to be… But I agree. Historical romance needs to have history, paranormal or not. It’s the little details that ground the story and make it come alive.
That one’s a tough call. History can be pretty ugly and it’s obvious I like a little fantasy. But yeah, everything doesn’t have to be gritty and I want Real Stuff and not just wallpaper.
That one’s a tough call. History can be pretty ugly and it’s obvious I like a little fantasy. But yeah, everything doesn’t have to be gritty and I want Real Stuff and not just wallpaper.
That one’s a tough call. History can be pretty ugly and it’s obvious I like a little fantasy. But yeah, everything doesn’t have to be gritty and I want Real Stuff and not just wallpaper.
That one’s a tough call. History can be pretty ugly and it’s obvious I like a little fantasy. But yeah, everything doesn’t have to be gritty and I want Real Stuff and not just wallpaper.
That one’s a tough call. History can be pretty ugly and it’s obvious I like a little fantasy. But yeah, everything doesn’t have to be gritty and I want Real Stuff and not just wallpaper.
Thanks so much for this post. There is something wonderful about a society that made beautiful construction and design a part of everything including taking care of sewage.
I realize it is just me, but because of my personal issues, some situations create anxiety. I am no longer dealing well with anxiety. I know that in the past there were things that were horrendous. Those facts are in my head, but I would prefer not to have those facts overpower a story.
If I am honest, I read what I read because generally it is light reading. That is what I can handle.
Thanks so much for this post. There is something wonderful about a society that made beautiful construction and design a part of everything including taking care of sewage.
I realize it is just me, but because of my personal issues, some situations create anxiety. I am no longer dealing well with anxiety. I know that in the past there were things that were horrendous. Those facts are in my head, but I would prefer not to have those facts overpower a story.
If I am honest, I read what I read because generally it is light reading. That is what I can handle.
Thanks so much for this post. There is something wonderful about a society that made beautiful construction and design a part of everything including taking care of sewage.
I realize it is just me, but because of my personal issues, some situations create anxiety. I am no longer dealing well with anxiety. I know that in the past there were things that were horrendous. Those facts are in my head, but I would prefer not to have those facts overpower a story.
If I am honest, I read what I read because generally it is light reading. That is what I can handle.
Thanks so much for this post. There is something wonderful about a society that made beautiful construction and design a part of everything including taking care of sewage.
I realize it is just me, but because of my personal issues, some situations create anxiety. I am no longer dealing well with anxiety. I know that in the past there were things that were horrendous. Those facts are in my head, but I would prefer not to have those facts overpower a story.
If I am honest, I read what I read because generally it is light reading. That is what I can handle.
Thanks so much for this post. There is something wonderful about a society that made beautiful construction and design a part of everything including taking care of sewage.
I realize it is just me, but because of my personal issues, some situations create anxiety. I am no longer dealing well with anxiety. I know that in the past there were things that were horrendous. Those facts are in my head, but I would prefer not to have those facts overpower a story.
If I am honest, I read what I read because generally it is light reading. That is what I can handle.
I can’t handle too much stress in my stories either. I want to relax and indulge myself. I’m afraid that shows up in my writing. I totally know where you’re coming from.
I can’t handle too much stress in my stories either. I want to relax and indulge myself. I’m afraid that shows up in my writing. I totally know where you’re coming from.
I can’t handle too much stress in my stories either. I want to relax and indulge myself. I’m afraid that shows up in my writing. I totally know where you’re coming from.
I can’t handle too much stress in my stories either. I want to relax and indulge myself. I’m afraid that shows up in my writing. I totally know where you’re coming from.
I can’t handle too much stress in my stories either. I want to relax and indulge myself. I’m afraid that shows up in my writing. I totally know where you’re coming from.
I agree with Alison. That is why I read the genre also and don’t care for modern romance either!
I agree with Alison. That is why I read the genre also and don’t care for modern romance either!
I agree with Alison. That is why I read the genre also and don’t care for modern romance either!
I agree with Alison. That is why I read the genre also and don’t care for modern romance either!
I agree with Alison. That is why I read the genre also and don’t care for modern romance either!
Love the post. I really enjoy all the background and research that historical authors put into their books (thank you so much). It is one way of learning while our favourite authors entertain us with their interwoven tales – one of the reasons why I love historical romance so much.
Love the post. I really enjoy all the background and research that historical authors put into their books (thank you so much). It is one way of learning while our favourite authors entertain us with their interwoven tales – one of the reasons why I love historical romance so much.
Love the post. I really enjoy all the background and research that historical authors put into their books (thank you so much). It is one way of learning while our favourite authors entertain us with their interwoven tales – one of the reasons why I love historical romance so much.
Love the post. I really enjoy all the background and research that historical authors put into their books (thank you so much). It is one way of learning while our favourite authors entertain us with their interwoven tales – one of the reasons why I love historical romance so much.
Love the post. I really enjoy all the background and research that historical authors put into their books (thank you so much). It is one way of learning while our favourite authors entertain us with their interwoven tales – one of the reasons why I love historical romance so much.
Thank you, Jenny. Lucky for everyone, we love the research!
Thank you, Jenny. Lucky for everyone, we love the research!
Thank you, Jenny. Lucky for everyone, we love the research!
Thank you, Jenny. Lucky for everyone, we love the research!
Thank you, Jenny. Lucky for everyone, we love the research!