I've been doing research for Book #3 of my WWI trilogy. I don't do a lot of research at this stage, just enough to lay an accurate framework and avoid having to change a bunch later on.
For this book, I had to know the differences between the various English titles - Earl, Viscount, Baron, Baronet, etc - and their forms of address (ie. what you'd call someone in public, how you'd refer to them to someone else). The hero of this story is the son of titled gentleman and I needed to know the proper forms of address for him and his father.
In my research, I ran across this awesome post about the different titles used in Downton Abbey and the proper forms of address for each person. It was one of the simpler explanations I came across - because, boy, can this stuff get complicated! The author mentioned how numerous books and movies get these things wrong, but Downton Abbey has done a great job getting it right. Another reason the show is good research!
Speaking of Downton Abbey, not sure how I'm feeling about Season 4. No Matthew or Sybil and now O'Brian isn't coming back either. While she wasn't ever really nice, she did bring good conflict upstairs and down. But I'll still watch it - gotta find out what's going to happen next. :)
What are your predictions for Downton Abbey Season 4? Are you looking forward to it? Have you wrapped your head around all these English titles?
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Stacy Henrie
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- Stacy Henrie
- I'm a stay-at-home mom to three kids and an author of inspirational historical romance. I love laughing with my family, reading, interior decorating, and chocolate.
Lady Outlaw, published by Harlequin Love Inspired Historical in 2012, is my first novel.
I am represented by Jessica Alvarez of BookEnds, LLC.
Lady Outlaw
No one would ever imagine a fresh-faced young woman could be robbing stage bandits of their ill-gotten fortunes. But Jennie Jones is desperate to save her family's ranch from foreclosure. And the risks seem worth it, until her upright new ranch hand offers a glimpse of how much is really at stake.
Former bounty hunter Caleb Johnson is ready for a new, clean start. With a woman like Jennie, he could build a future there in Utah territory. But only if his gentle faith can guide her in a choice between the land she's fought so hard to save and a future by his side.
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3 comments:
I think it is so confusing and I'm always more appreciative of you authors who write historicals!
Oh yes, I'm going to watch. I was torn up by all of it, but I have hope they'll do something wonderful to make me forget. For one, the cousin is coming and she ought to shake the place up a bit. I wonder if she'll end up with Brannon. :)
I'm writing a French book right now and the titles are of course all different because they're French. Downtown Abbey can't exactly help me with that. But I'm totally stoked about Season 4, though I will surely miss Cousin Mathew's blue eyes :)
Jessica - That's right - Rose is coming to Downton! What a pair she and Branson would make. :)
Jessie - Ah yes - those blue eyes! :) Like Jessica said, hopefully there will be such great stuff this next season will won't feel the loss of Matthew too keenly!
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