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Historiagraphic Paper

Introduction

The Regency period lasted from 1811 till1820, which was ruled by King George III. It was the era during which females had quite a thorny and complicated role in the society. The women of that period were more or less completely dependent on men (Reitinger, p.09). Historians have attempted to explore the regency period through evidence gathered throughout many years, but some do not always come up with the same conclusions. Through this essay, I will analyze articles and books from chosen historians and see what evidence they used to come to their decisions and how these decisions have changed over time. Some historians consider the Regency period to have a somewhat broader scope (1790-1837). It was a time of acute contrasts. On one hand the wealthy upper classes (the landed gentry and the aristocracy) enjoyed immense power and privilege; but on the other hand, the poor suffered due to a combination of causes.

In the writings of historians, most women in the regency era could not respectably and worthily work, except conceivably as writers, tutors, and governesses. According to Reitinger, women were not allowed to inherit property in any case except for the purpose of financial security; the single option was to get married. With slight besides to do, women overjoyed in fashion, gossip, social gatherings, and particularly balls. The dances they used to perform were bouncy and lively dances from English country. Together with dancing came a number of social expectations. Males could ask females to dance; however, females had just the power to say no. If a female did say no, she was to make it appear as still she had no intent to dance with anyone, in an attempt to not to be rude to the specific person who had asked her. Another most important aspect of the time period was the politeness and decorum expected between the opposite sex members (Reitinger, p.11). This was the starting of the social limitations that were one of the crucial traits of the Victorian period, which unswervingly pursued the Regency period.

Discussion

With reference to the position of women in Regency era, historians, in their writings, have also mentioned the role of King of Great Britain in this period. According to Hughes, King George III was slow to develop as he was eleven before he could read and retained feelings of inadequacy all his life, though these were combined with stubbornness. When he came to the throne he was determined to rule as well as reign (Hughes, p.36). He could choose his own ministers but found that they needed the support of a majority in parliament, so he set out to provide this by the use of royal patronage. George obstinately clung to Lord North as Prime Minister (1770-1782) and prolonged the American War of Independence, possibly by as much as two years, in a vain attempt to prevent American independence. The most overbearing use of his powers came in 1783 when he ensured the defeat of ...