Jane Austen’s Birthday, and a glimpse at life in Steventon

Jane Austen was born on this day, 16th December in 1775. The little imagining that follows is a picture, a glimpse into life at Steventon, written from Jane’s point of view as she remembers carefree, summer days and a birthday with her cousin, Eliza de Feuillide. It is the smells and sounds of Steventon that [...]

Read Full Post »

Eliza de Feuillide – Part Two

By Christmas 1787, Eliza was at Steventon Rectory again, and excited about performing in a make-shift theatre (her uncle’s tithe barn) with her cousins. The Austen brothers most likely fitted out the barn with a stage, scenery, curtain and oil lamps to illuminate the actors. Eliza tried unsuccessfully to invite her cousin Phila to join [...]

Read Full Post »

Eliza de Feuillide – Part One

Eliza de Feuillide (1761-1813) is a fascinating personality in Jane Austen’s life. Eliza’s mother was Jane’s aunt, her father’s sister, Philadelphia Hancock. Jane’s father George and Philadelphia had been orphaned from a young age and though it seems they managed to stay in touch with one another, they both had to make their way in [...]

Read Full Post »