WESTERCON 63: CONFIRMATION
CONCHORD 23
Regency Dance
by John HertzOf course we'll have Regency dancing at Confirmation. If you don't know how, I'll teach you. Come in costume, or come as you are.
The English Regency period was around the year 1800. Napoleon ruled Europe, and world-class wise guy "Beau" Brummell ruled England - more or less. Right away you see the English had good priorities.
By 1811 there was a Prince Regent. History still can't make up its mind about him.
We fans delight in Georgette Heyer's novels of Regency aristocrats. Book dealer Marty Massoglia says Heyer is his best-selling author at cons. Jane Austen lived in this period, one of the greatest authors ever. But she was writing in her own time, and didn't explain.
Heyer, like a good s-f writer, brings you into a different world. Her books are witty, she keeps a light touch, and she has an ear for the right word. Try "Frederica" or "Cotillion." Everybody loves "The Grand Sophy."
If you read fanzines, you know I tried to explain in Mimosa; see it on the Web at Regency Explained