Category Archives: On Research

Medieval Times: The Question of Birth Control

Posted on January 30, 2014 by Jenna Jaxon

One’s mind does not leap to the idea of contraception during the Medieval period for a couple of reasons.  First, the Catholic Church, the major influence on much of Western Europe during the period, considered birth control a sin and … Continue reading →

Posted in Medieval Times, On Research | Tagged , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

B is for Bedding the Bride

Posted on January 10, 2014 by Jenna Jaxon

Marriage customs during the Middle Ages were varied and in some cases, exceedingly strange to our modern-day sensibilities.  One such custom was “bedding the bride.” The ceremony actually should be called “bedding the couple” because both bride and groom were … Continue reading →

Posted in Alphabet Post, On Research | Tagged , , , | 39 Comments

H is for Haggis

Posted on May 3, 2013 by Jenna Jaxon

I am sure there are many things H could stand for, but as I was searching for a topic this week I thought I might want to change things up a bit.  And for no reason at all Haggis–that peculiar … Continue reading →

Posted in Alphabet Post, Food, On History, On Research | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

C is for Courtesan

Posted on March 22, 2013 by Jenna Jaxon

Welcome to my latest “Alphabet Post.”  Today I’m talking about a certain kind of woman who lived in earlier centuries.  A woman of ill-repute–The Courtesan. First, the definition of courtesan from the OED, is “a prostitute, especially one with wealthy … Continue reading →

Posted in Alphabet Post, On Research, On Writing Historical Romance | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 20 Comments

B is for Bubonic Plague

Posted on March 14, 2013 by Jenna Jaxon

Probably not what you were thinking for the letter B.  What the heck does the plague have to do with romance novels? Well, the Bubonic Plague or Black Death was a very important part of the medieval period and helped … Continue reading →

Posted in Alphabet Post, On Research, On Time Enough to Love, On Writing, On Writing Historical Romance | Tagged , , , , , , , | 36 Comments

A Blade in Her Hand–Lady Katarina’s Unusual “Hobby”

Posted on October 12, 2012 by Jenna Jaxon

Many historical romance novels of the Georgian period (and before) make use of swordplay, one of several reasons I am drawn to the earlier periods.  In Only Scandal Will Do, I set up my heroine, Lady Katarina Fitzwilliam, to be … Continue reading →

Posted in On Only Scandal Will Do, On Research, On Writing Historical Romance | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 30 Comments

Virginity Unmasked

Posted on August 23, 2012 by Jenna Jaxon

As an author of historical romance, I find myself preoccupied with rather odd things to research at times.  Bathing, as I’ve commented on in an earlier post, ways to execute people, symptoms of the Bubonic Plague.  You know, fun stuff. … Continue reading →

Posted in On Only Scandal Will Do, On Research, On Writing, On Writing Historical Romance, Only Marriage Will Do | Tagged , , , , , , , | 20 Comments