Sarah Murden
@sarahmurden.bsky.social
18th century historian, FRHistS, genealogist and author for Pen & Sword books.
Host of the website: All Things Georgian. https://georgianera.wordpress.com/
Host of the website: All Things Georgian. https://georgianera.wordpress.com/
Pinned
The Madness of Margaret Nicholson – Guest post by Elaine Thornton
Today, I am delighted to welcome back Elaine Thornton, who has carried out extensive reearch into 'The Madness of Margaret Nicholson' and will set the record straight regarding various aspects of her life, which have been misquoted for generations. On 2 August 1786, a small group of people were waiting outside the garden door of St James’s Palace to see George III arrive for an afternoon levee. As the royal carriage drove up to the entrance the spectators, among them a middle-aged seamstress called Margaret Nicholson, pressed forward to catch a glimpse of the sovereign.
georgianera.wordpress.com
The Madness of Margaret Nicholson – Guest post by Elaine Thornton
Today, I am delighted to welcome back Elaine Thornton, who has carried out extensive reearch into 'The Madness of Margaret Nicholson' and will set the record straight regarding various aspects of her life, which have been misquoted…
Today, I am delighted to welcome back Elaine Thornton, who has carried out extensive reearch into 'The Madness of Margaret Nicholson' and will set the record straight regarding various aspects of her life, which have been misquoted…
Reposted by Sarah Murden
The Madness of Margaret Nicholson – Guest post by Elaine Thornton
Today, I am delighted to welcome back Elaine Thornton, who has carried out extensive reearch into 'The Madness of Margaret Nicholson' and will set the record straight regarding various aspects of her life, which have been misquoted…
Today, I am delighted to welcome back Elaine Thornton, who has carried out extensive reearch into 'The Madness of Margaret Nicholson' and will set the record straight regarding various aspects of her life, which have been misquoted…
The Madness of Margaret Nicholson – Guest post by Elaine Thornton
Today, I am delighted to welcome back Elaine Thornton, who has carried out extensive reearch into 'The Madness of Margaret Nicholson' and will set the record straight regarding various aspects of her life, which have been misquoted for generations. On 2 August 1786, a small group of people were waiting outside the garden door of St James’s Palace to see George III arrive for an afternoon levee. As the royal carriage drove up to the entrance the spectators, among them a middle-aged seamstress called Margaret Nicholson, pressed forward to catch a glimpse of the sovereign.
georgianera.wordpress.com
February 16, 2026 at 8:12 AM
The Madness of Margaret Nicholson – Guest post by Elaine Thornton
Today, I am delighted to welcome back Elaine Thornton, who has carried out extensive reearch into 'The Madness of Margaret Nicholson' and will set the record straight regarding various aspects of her life, which have been misquoted…
Today, I am delighted to welcome back Elaine Thornton, who has carried out extensive reearch into 'The Madness of Margaret Nicholson' and will set the record straight regarding various aspects of her life, which have been misquoted…
The Madness of Margaret Nicholson – Guest post by Elaine Thornton
Today, I am delighted to welcome back Elaine Thornton, who has carried out extensive reearch into 'The Madness of Margaret Nicholson' and will set the record straight regarding various aspects of her life, which have been misquoted…
Today, I am delighted to welcome back Elaine Thornton, who has carried out extensive reearch into 'The Madness of Margaret Nicholson' and will set the record straight regarding various aspects of her life, which have been misquoted…
The Madness of Margaret Nicholson – Guest post by Elaine Thornton
Today, I am delighted to welcome back Elaine Thornton, who has carried out extensive reearch into 'The Madness of Margaret Nicholson' and will set the record straight regarding various aspects of her life, which have been misquoted for generations. On 2 August 1786, a small group of people were waiting outside the garden door of St James’s Palace to see George III arrive for an afternoon levee. As the royal carriage drove up to the entrance the spectators, among them a middle-aged seamstress called Margaret Nicholson, pressed forward to catch a glimpse of the sovereign.
georgianera.wordpress.com
February 16, 2026 at 8:12 AM
The Madness of Margaret Nicholson – Guest post by Elaine Thornton
Today, I am delighted to welcome back Elaine Thornton, who has carried out extensive reearch into 'The Madness of Margaret Nicholson' and will set the record straight regarding various aspects of her life, which have been misquoted…
Today, I am delighted to welcome back Elaine Thornton, who has carried out extensive reearch into 'The Madness of Margaret Nicholson' and will set the record straight regarding various aspects of her life, which have been misquoted…
Reposted by Sarah Murden
What was fashionable for men in early 1800s, Jane Austen's and Bridgeton's times, or Regency Era? #JaneAusten #Bridgerton #Regencyfashion
books2read.com/SuziLoveFash...
books2read.com/SuziLoveFash...
February 11, 2026 at 12:48 AM
What was fashionable for men in early 1800s, Jane Austen's and Bridgeton's times, or Regency Era? #JaneAusten #Bridgerton #Regencyfashion
books2read.com/SuziLoveFash...
books2read.com/SuziLoveFash...
From the archives of All Things Georgian, 'The Morse and Cator Families' - wp.me/p3JTNy-6Up #MondayBlogs
The Morse and Cator Families
I have recently looked the Duff family and this story is one that is extremely closely linked to it and encompasses a large part of the globe, from Jamaica to India. We begin with a conversation pi…
wp.me
February 9, 2026 at 12:02 PM
From the archives of All Things Georgian, 'The Morse and Cator Families' - wp.me/p3JTNy-6Up #MondayBlogs
Reposted by Sarah Murden
Not content with describing the pterosaur and coprolites at the 6 February 1829 Geological Society meeting, Buckland also covered the discovery of fossil sepia, noting that it could be reconstructed as a drawing pigment. The 'eminent artist' may have been his friend Francis Chantrey.
February 6, 2026 at 7:43 AM
Not content with describing the pterosaur and coprolites at the 6 February 1829 Geological Society meeting, Buckland also covered the discovery of fossil sepia, noting that it could be reconstructed as a drawing pigment. The 'eminent artist' may have been his friend Francis Chantrey.
Reposted by Sarah Murden
New on All Things Georgian, 'Maria Theresa Phipoe - ‘Dead Men Tell No Tales’' - wp.me/p3JTNy-7nl #mondayblogs
February 2, 2026 at 12:37 PM
New on All Things Georgian, 'Maria Theresa Phipoe - ‘Dead Men Tell No Tales’' - wp.me/p3JTNy-7nl #mondayblogs
New on All Things Georgian, 'Maria Theresa Phipoe - ‘Dead Men Tell No Tales’' - wp.me/p3JTNy-7nl #mondayblogs
February 2, 2026 at 12:37 PM
New on All Things Georgian, 'Maria Theresa Phipoe - ‘Dead Men Tell No Tales’' - wp.me/p3JTNy-7nl #mondayblogs
Reposted by Sarah Murden
Great to speak to The Observer about the moving response we’ve had to our #Minnesota adaptation of the song #SanFrancisco - observer.co.uk/news/nationa... … Trying to get approval to release it. 🤞 #solidarity
English family’s protest song strikes a chord in the US
The Marsh Family from Kent joins Billy Bragg and Bruce Springsteen in releasingsongs about Minnesota
observer.co.uk
February 1, 2026 at 11:54 AM
Great to speak to The Observer about the moving response we’ve had to our #Minnesota adaptation of the song #SanFrancisco - observer.co.uk/news/nationa... … Trying to get approval to release it. 🤞 #solidarity
Reposted by Sarah Murden
JOB ALERT: Lead Curator, Modern Archives & Manuscripts (1601-1800) at The British Library - closing date: 18th Feb
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DQH179/l...
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DQH179/l...
Lead Curator: Modern Archives & Manuscripts (1601 – 1800) at British Library
Explore an exciting academic career as a Lead Curator: Modern Archives & Manuscripts (1601 – 1800). Don't miss out on other academic jobs. Click to apply and explore more opportunities.
www.jobs.ac.uk
January 28, 2026 at 12:15 PM
JOB ALERT: Lead Curator, Modern Archives & Manuscripts (1601-1800) at The British Library - closing date: 18th Feb
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DQH179/l...
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DQH179/l...
Reposted by Sarah Murden
We hope the good people of #SanFrancisco will forgive us for adapting a song about their city in 1967 to address the shocking and tragic events in #Minnesota in recent weeks. This is dedicated to Renée Good and Alex Pretti, and in solidarity. Our version is called "Minnesota" ❤️
youtu.be/BRHxXHZmVAM
youtu.be/BRHxXHZmVAM
"Minnesota" - Marsh Family adaptation of "San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Some Flowers in Your Hair)"
YouTube video by Marsh Family
youtu.be
January 28, 2026 at 12:21 AM
We hope the good people of #SanFrancisco will forgive us for adapting a song about their city in 1967 to address the shocking and tragic events in #Minnesota in recent weeks. This is dedicated to Renée Good and Alex Pretti, and in solidarity. Our version is called "Minnesota" ❤️
youtu.be/BRHxXHZmVAM
youtu.be/BRHxXHZmVAM
Reposted by Sarah Murden
Look forward to February!
Here is a list of new #non_fiction #books about the #18thcentury scheduled for next month:
regency-explorer.net/new-releases/
#Regency #Napoleon #history #Bronte #Waterloo #JaneAusten #18thc
Here is a list of new #non_fiction #books about the #18thcentury scheduled for next month:
regency-explorer.net/new-releases/
#Regency #Napoleon #history #Bronte #Waterloo #JaneAusten #18thc
January 26, 2026 at 4:24 PM
Look forward to February!
Here is a list of new #non_fiction #books about the #18thcentury scheduled for next month:
regency-explorer.net/new-releases/
#Regency #Napoleon #history #Bronte #Waterloo #JaneAusten #18thc
Here is a list of new #non_fiction #books about the #18thcentury scheduled for next month:
regency-explorer.net/new-releases/
#Regency #Napoleon #history #Bronte #Waterloo #JaneAusten #18thc
From the archives of All Things Georgian, 'Servants wages in the late Georgian Era' - wp.me/p3JTNy-72G #MondayBlogs
Servants wages in the late Georgian Era
I have been trying to find out the average wages of servants in the Georgian era, which has proved more difficult than anticipated. The newspapers of the day carried numerous adverts by employers f…
wp.me
January 26, 2026 at 2:32 PM
From the archives of All Things Georgian, 'Servants wages in the late Georgian Era' - wp.me/p3JTNy-72G #MondayBlogs
Reposted by Sarah Murden
Huge happy 80th birthday this week to the legendary #DollyParton 🎉- we are marking it with a parody of her 2nd number 1 hit, written by the #BeeGees. Our 🎶 version's called "Donald's Sewage Stream" - since he brought his sick drivel to #Europe #Davos #NATO & our #armedforces:
youtu.be/F4nefIN4_LY
youtu.be/F4nefIN4_LY
"Donald's Sewage Stream" - Marsh Family adapt "Islands in the Stream" by Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers
YouTube video by Marsh Family
youtu.be
January 24, 2026 at 9:11 PM
Huge happy 80th birthday this week to the legendary #DollyParton 🎉- we are marking it with a parody of her 2nd number 1 hit, written by the #BeeGees. Our 🎶 version's called "Donald's Sewage Stream" - since he brought his sick drivel to #Europe #Davos #NATO & our #armedforces:
youtu.be/F4nefIN4_LY
youtu.be/F4nefIN4_LY
From the archives of All Things Georgian, 'The women behind 18th century condom making' - wp.me/p3JTNy-6OJ
January 24, 2026 at 9:41 AM
From the archives of All Things Georgian, 'The women behind 18th century condom making' - wp.me/p3JTNy-6OJ
Reposted by Sarah Murden
A Failed Attempt to Bring the Metric System to the US by Dr Judith E Pearson
As always, it is a pleasure to welcome a regular guest to All Things Georgian, Dr Judith Pearson, who has written several articles on here, such as How Mount Vernon, Virginia got its Name and A Mansion, a Grand Dame, and…
As always, it is a pleasure to welcome a regular guest to All Things Georgian, Dr Judith Pearson, who has written several articles on here, such as How Mount Vernon, Virginia got its Name and A Mansion, a Grand Dame, and…
A Failed Attempt to Bring the Metric System to the US by Dr Judith E Pearson
As always, it is a pleasure to welcome a regular guest to All Things Georgian, Dr Judith Pearson, who has written several articles on here, such as How Mount Vernon, Virginia got its Name and A Mansion, a Grand Dame, and a Portrait by George Romney. With that introduction I'll hand you over to Judith. A small, strange-looking object sits in a glass display case at the National Institute of Science and Technology Museum in Gaithersburg, Maryland, on the outskirts of Washington, DC. This museum houses a collection of measurement devices, scientific instruments, artefacts, and archives relating to measurement, standardisation, science and technology in the United States.
georgianera.wordpress.com
January 19, 2026 at 8:58 AM
A Failed Attempt to Bring the Metric System to the US by Dr Judith E Pearson
As always, it is a pleasure to welcome a regular guest to All Things Georgian, Dr Judith Pearson, who has written several articles on here, such as How Mount Vernon, Virginia got its Name and A Mansion, a Grand Dame, and…
As always, it is a pleasure to welcome a regular guest to All Things Georgian, Dr Judith Pearson, who has written several articles on here, such as How Mount Vernon, Virginia got its Name and A Mansion, a Grand Dame, and…
Reposted by Sarah Murden
This is our parody of "Piece of My Heart" by the amazing soulful Erma Franklin. Our version addresses the situation unfolding with #Trump and #Greenland, & has rude words - it's called "Piece of Denmark". In solidarity with all fellow Europeans facing tariffs and trauma. #25th
youtu.be/jSDIkpwlqsA
youtu.be/jSDIkpwlqsA
"Piece of Denmark" - Marsh Family parody of "Piece of My Heart" by Erma Franklin on Greenland/Trump
YouTube video by Marsh Family
youtu.be
January 19, 2026 at 11:56 PM
This is our parody of "Piece of My Heart" by the amazing soulful Erma Franklin. Our version addresses the situation unfolding with #Trump and #Greenland, & has rude words - it's called "Piece of Denmark". In solidarity with all fellow Europeans facing tariffs and trauma. #25th
youtu.be/jSDIkpwlqsA
youtu.be/jSDIkpwlqsA
A Failed Attempt to Bring the Metric System to the US by Dr Judith E Pearson
As always, it is a pleasure to welcome a regular guest to All Things Georgian, Dr Judith Pearson, who has written several articles on here, such as How Mount Vernon, Virginia got its Name and A Mansion, a Grand Dame, and…
As always, it is a pleasure to welcome a regular guest to All Things Georgian, Dr Judith Pearson, who has written several articles on here, such as How Mount Vernon, Virginia got its Name and A Mansion, a Grand Dame, and…
A Failed Attempt to Bring the Metric System to the US by Dr Judith E Pearson
As always, it is a pleasure to welcome a regular guest to All Things Georgian, Dr Judith Pearson, who has written several articles on here, such as How Mount Vernon, Virginia got its Name and A Mansion, a Grand Dame, and a Portrait by George Romney. With that introduction I'll hand you over to Judith. A small, strange-looking object sits in a glass display case at the National Institute of Science and Technology Museum in Gaithersburg, Maryland, on the outskirts of Washington, DC. This museum houses a collection of measurement devices, scientific instruments, artefacts, and archives relating to measurement, standardisation, science and technology in the United States.
georgianera.wordpress.com
January 19, 2026 at 8:58 AM
A Failed Attempt to Bring the Metric System to the US by Dr Judith E Pearson
As always, it is a pleasure to welcome a regular guest to All Things Georgian, Dr Judith Pearson, who has written several articles on here, such as How Mount Vernon, Virginia got its Name and A Mansion, a Grand Dame, and…
As always, it is a pleasure to welcome a regular guest to All Things Georgian, Dr Judith Pearson, who has written several articles on here, such as How Mount Vernon, Virginia got its Name and A Mansion, a Grand Dame, and…
Reposted by Sarah Murden
Young man in a green coat with red stripes, white waistcoat and yellow breeches with green embroidery. Magasin des Modes Nouvelles Françaises et Anglaises, 1787. #FashionPlateFriday #dresshistory #18thc
![Magasin des Modes Nouvelles Françaises et Anglaises, 30 septembre 1787, 32e cahier, 2e année, Pl. 1.
Original description translated into English:
The young man, on whom we have depicted the current fashion, is dressed in a Louviers cloth coat with broad dark green stripes and broad dark red stripes, which are clear and pronounced.
Many different colours of cloth with two very broad faded stripes are worn. Some even wear cloth with three stripes, but in these cases the middle stripe is smaller than the other two, blending into each side and, so to speak, merely linking and nuancing the other two stripes.
The two blended stripes are usually pale yellow; purple and red; purple and pink; blue and yellow; etc.
The three stripes are purple, pink and sky blue: the pink stripe in the middle; grey, white and blue: the white stripe in the middle; scarlet, yellow and purple: the yellow stripe in the middle; etc.
The young man's coat is lined with red twill and trimmed with dark purple piping.
Under his coat, the young man wears a white waistcoat, edged with a long white silk trim;
Casimir cloth breeches, where the seams of the garters, buttonholes, and drawstring, now narrow, are made of green silk and form delicate embroidery.
We may recall that two months ago, we said that this fashion for seams of various colours was beginning to catch on; it is almost the only one accepted today.
The young man wears white silk stockings.
His shoes have large oval buckles.
[Text continues on next image]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:plxiecprr6zzjwkcylt7nsgw/bafkreigbwuvowm4fptfj5yrglhnbdt7i5kzzzivtfns2tfwwsm2g4crdue@jpeg)
![[Detail from plate]
Continuation of the original description translated into English:
In his pockets, he has two watches, one of which has a gold chain adorned with gold charms, and the other a simple blue silk cord adorned with a very large key, either in gold, silver, or crystal surrounded by a gold circle, or in agate similarly surrounded by a gold circle.
His hair is curled into two very long curls on each side, and in a Greek style at the back, parted in a horseshoe shape at the back and falling slightly in a shell shape on his forehead. At the back his hair is tied in a long plait à la Panurge.
His shirt is trimmed with cuffs and a jabot of fine batiste, all plain.
Around his neck is a wide cravat, which is wrapped three times and forms a medium-sized bow at the front.
He holds his hat in his hand, refurbished in the Androsmane style.
He is depicted bowing in greeting as he walks along a public promenade.
Rijksmuseum object number RP-P-2009-1659A](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:plxiecprr6zzjwkcylt7nsgw/bafkreiben775rzwpzyxpceetpvvolm7dbpldpl23szvwwxcxhi4tgdeve4@jpeg)
January 16, 2026 at 9:52 PM
Young man in a green coat with red stripes, white waistcoat and yellow breeches with green embroidery. Magasin des Modes Nouvelles Françaises et Anglaises, 1787. #FashionPlateFriday #dresshistory #18thc
Reposted by Sarah Murden
18th century 📚 on sale from @yalebooks.bsky.social, including postage in the UK #18thcentury
Take 30% off selected 18th century history titles until 31.1.2026 - including books by @fourredshoes.bsky.social and @chloewigstonsmith.bsky.social.
Includes free postage in the UK!
Browse online here: yalebooks.co.uk/bsecs26/
Includes free postage in the UK!
Browse online here: yalebooks.co.uk/bsecs26/
January 17, 2026 at 6:25 AM
18th century 📚 on sale from @yalebooks.bsky.social, including postage in the UK #18thcentury
Reposted by Sarah Murden
Was delighted to be invited to the launch of the Hannah More Letters Edition Online.
Such a wonderful event at Barley Wood House where Hannah More lived. More to come from this amazing project. Anyone interested in 18th and 19th century history, link is here: www.hannahmoreletters.org
#18c #19c
Such a wonderful event at Barley Wood House where Hannah More lived. More to come from this amazing project. Anyone interested in 18th and 19th century history, link is here: www.hannahmoreletters.org
#18c #19c
Hannah More Letters Online
Hannah More Letters Online - A digital archive of Hannah More's correspondence
www.hannahmoreletters.org
January 17, 2026 at 7:14 PM
Was delighted to be invited to the launch of the Hannah More Letters Edition Online.
Such a wonderful event at Barley Wood House where Hannah More lived. More to come from this amazing project. Anyone interested in 18th and 19th century history, link is here: www.hannahmoreletters.org
#18c #19c
Such a wonderful event at Barley Wood House where Hannah More lived. More to come from this amazing project. Anyone interested in 18th and 19th century history, link is here: www.hannahmoreletters.org
#18c #19c
Reposted by Sarah Murden
From the archives of All Things Georgian, 'The Beautiful Mrs Graham' - wp.me/p3JTNy-74s #MondayBlogs
The Beautiful Mrs Graham
I have long admired this portrait, one of Gainsborough’s masterpieces, but until now, haven’t explored her the sitter’s life in any detail, so today this is being rectified. There were three siblin…
wp.me
January 12, 2026 at 12:28 PM
From the archives of All Things Georgian, 'The Beautiful Mrs Graham' - wp.me/p3JTNy-74s #MondayBlogs
From the archives of All Things Georgian, 'The Beautiful Mrs Graham' - wp.me/p3JTNy-74s #MondayBlogs
The Beautiful Mrs Graham
I have long admired this portrait, one of Gainsborough’s masterpieces, but until now, haven’t explored her the sitter’s life in any detail, so today this is being rectified. There were three siblin…
wp.me
January 12, 2026 at 12:28 PM
From the archives of All Things Georgian, 'The Beautiful Mrs Graham' - wp.me/p3JTNy-74s #MondayBlogs
Reposted by Sarah Murden
French palaeography hive mind ! We've been doing some work @brunelmuseum.bsky.social on Marc Brunel's French naval records from the 1790s and are trying to make sense of one illegible bit.
Any ideas?
'3 8bre p[ension] p[ermanente] le havre [ne ????] pas servi'
Any ideas?
'3 8bre p[ension] p[ermanente] le havre [ne ????] pas servi'
January 12, 2026 at 11:53 AM
French palaeography hive mind ! We've been doing some work @brunelmuseum.bsky.social on Marc Brunel's French naval records from the 1790s and are trying to make sense of one illegible bit.
Any ideas?
'3 8bre p[ension] p[ermanente] le havre [ne ????] pas servi'
Any ideas?
'3 8bre p[ension] p[ermanente] le havre [ne ????] pas servi'
Reposted by Sarah Murden
And for the people fleeing wannabe space wanker and his racist hordes there is also this starter pack for women in history …
January 11, 2026 at 8:06 PM
And for the people fleeing wannabe space wanker and his racist hordes there is also this starter pack for women in history …
Reposted by Sarah Murden
"Battle Hymn of the Republic" is not a song to be taken on lightly ... but in light of this New Year Trumpian news onslaught, we're sharing this adaptation, called "Battle Hymn of the Empire" - as Trump goes marching on, and dragging us all back to the nineteenth century.
youtu.be/8saU0WeocP0
youtu.be/8saU0WeocP0
"Battle Hymn of the Empire" - Marsh Family adaptation of "Battle Hymn of the Republic" about Trump
YouTube video by Marsh Family
youtu.be
January 11, 2026 at 1:38 AM
"Battle Hymn of the Republic" is not a song to be taken on lightly ... but in light of this New Year Trumpian news onslaught, we're sharing this adaptation, called "Battle Hymn of the Empire" - as Trump goes marching on, and dragging us all back to the nineteenth century.
youtu.be/8saU0WeocP0
youtu.be/8saU0WeocP0