If you’re like me, it’s not just Jane Austen that gets your engine going. Chances are, you’re a general fan of history, particularly those bits of history orbitting the Georgian and Regency Eras. So for this post, I’m keepin’ it short and sweet and providing you with a quick list of some of the podcasts I’ve been enjoying lately.
Now first, I have to say that today’s article is entirely inspired by my desire to share the podcast Trashy Royals which takes a look at various historical royal families across Europe. In the episode I’m sharing here, the hosts focused on John of Gaunt, the father of Europe. Are you a bit skeptical?? I was! But I promise it’s a story worth a’listenin’ to. If nothing about this podcast appeals to you, fast forward to the final minutes where the hosts list out some of John of Gaunt’s descendants. Your mind will be blown too:
Ok, so next up is a little gem I discovered recently: The Victorian Gaslamp. In particular, if you’ve ever wondered why the early part of Jane Austen’s lifetime is called the Georgian Period and the latter is referred to as The Regency, here’s why:
At this site, you’ll find so so much more to discover and enjoy. All in 15-25ish minute tid-bits. Perfect!
Now, in keeping to the overall ethos of this site, which is afterall, about living my own life deeply embedded in my love of Austen (obsession, you mean?? duh), let’s not forget that Austen herself is descended from a range of famous and well-known British royals and nobility.
Did you know, for instance, that Austen is descended on her mother’s side from Sir Thomas Leigh, Lord Mayor of London in 1558. In this same year, Leigh led the coronoation procession for Queen Elizabeth I. (Though Jane wouldn’t have thought much of that!) Interestingly, Sir Thomas Leigh is not the origin of the name Stoneleigh Abbey, though he did marry the daughter of the man who bought it after the Dissolution of the Monarchies, thus becoming the inheritor of that property. You may have heard of it as the home of Jane’s very wealthy aunt and uncle, though they ultimately did very little for their poor Austen relations upon their deaths, a source of great disappointment to Jane and inspiration for a future article for me.
Here are more sites where you can explore the interesting ancestry of our beloved dearest writer:
Tracing Jane Austen’s Royal Ancestors
A Partial Pedigree of Jane Austen
A Life in Austen 
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