This is a rework of a post from August 2023
One of my first posts was a post about the Regency period, and so I have decided to revisit it ahead of a rewatch of all Bridgerton seasons. I have tweaked aspects of this post, but the post will remain largely the same as my original post.
This post is not designed to be an in depth history lesson, but rather a short and brief introduction to the Regency Period, and what a Regent is.
What is the Regency Period?
The Regency is an historical, and political, period of British history that covers the incapacitation of the Monarch, which required a Regent to act in place of the Monarch. This period began in 1811 with the enactment of the Regency Act, and ended in 1820 with the death of King George III when The Prince Regent then ascended the throne as King George IV.
This time period coincided with the latter part of the British Industrial Revolution (1760-1840), as well as shifts in political and cultural norms with the French Revolution, and following Napoleonic wars influencing these shifts. Fashion was one such aspect of society influenced by the unrest on Continental Europe, with the fashionable of the day adopting simpler styles, and popularising the Empire silhouette, whilst men had fitted, tailored jackets and trousers.
Image Source: RosyBVM.com
What is a Regent?
The term Regent is a legal term, and is defined as a person who is appointed to administer a state because the monarch is a minor, absent or incapacitated. It is important to note that a Regent acts in place of a Monarch, and is appointed via an Act of Parliament (legislation), this is not what we would refer to someone acting on behalf of a minor who inherited a title within the peerage. I have seen a lot of misinformation in the Bridgerton fandom saying that Colin is acting as the Regent for his son, who is the new Lord Featherington, however this is not the correct usage of this term and misunderstands what a Regent is. Colin is managing the estate, but he is not acting in place of his son as Lord Featherington, and this was not set out for him via an Act of Parliament.
In 1811 HRH Prince George, The Prince of Wales, was legally appointed as Regent via an act of Parliament due to the incapacitation of King George III. Under this act The Prince of Wales undertook all of the duties of the monarch, and was the monarch in all but name.
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Image: Portrait of King George IV by Sir Thomas Lawrence via NationalTrustCollections.org.uk
The Regency Act:
Prior to 1937 there was no one Regency Act in the United Kingdom, and legislation was passed on an ad hoc basis as required, such as the 'the Care of the King During His Illness Etc Act 1811', commonly referred to as the Regency Act 1811, which brought into being the official Regency period in Britain.
The act states that "His Royal Highness George Augustus Frederick Prince of Wales shall have full Power and Authority, in the Name and on the Behalf of His Majesty, and under the Stile and Title of "Regent of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland," to exercise and administer the Royal Power and Authority to the Crown of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland belonging, and to use, execute and perform all Authorities, Prerogatives, Acts of Government and Administration of the same, which lawfully belong to the King of the said United Kingdom"
The legislation passed in Parliament, thus suspending the King from his duties as Head of State with The Prince of Wales assuming the Regency, on 5 February 1811.
The Regency ended with the death of King George III on 29 January 1820 when The Prince of Wales ascended the throne as King George IV.
