Why Are We So Obsessed With The Regency Era?

Ah, yes, the Regency Era. Such a fleeting period of British history — only about nine years in length (1811 to 1820) — and yet it still occupies our fantasies over two centuries later. We daydream of the frills and ornate gowns and waltzes and witty banter, but why? It’s been over 200 social seasons … what are we holding onto?

MARION BIONDI // FLAT HAT MAGAZINE

It helps to have a little historical context. When King George III fell ill and became incapable of ruling, power passed in 1811 to his son, who became the “Prince Regent” for nine years before assuming full power as king after his father’s passing. The Prince of Wales, however, had a penchant for irresponsibility and was therefore … discouraged from making any serious or official governing decisions.

So what is one to idly do on the throne? Naturally, become an exorbitant patron of the arts and indulge in wildly extravagant parties.

And so begins a period marked by social prosperity and abundant wealth, innovation, and fashion — a mini Renaissance, if you will. Well, at least for the few thousand rich people that comprised “the ton,” or the upper echelon of British society.

Now, this is all well and interesting, but is this really the part we care about? Is this what Jane Austen’s notorious Pride and Prejudice gets on about? Apparently not. 

While historians hone in on the politics, some artists and authors — both today and of the time — capitalized on the other, more stimulating side of the Regency Era: courtship, romance, and custom. It is from these tenets that works like the Austen classics, the revered Netflix show Bridgerton (whose second season just premiered), and modern author Tessa Dare’s regency romance novels are born, and, in my opinion, where our little obsession stems from. 

You see, the Regency’s upper class — the object of our gaze — were themselves obsessed with matters of social convention and etiquette. They held true to their title le bon ton: “in the fashionable mode.” Every individual had their place and was obliged to uphold it — unless, of course, one preferred social ostracism.

COURTESY IMAGE // UNSPLASH

In fact, the social decorum might have been even more elaborate than the jewels and regalia. Gentlemen are introduced to ladies, not the other way around. Ladies should be pleasant and delightful but never loud. Bow your head but do not extend your hand when meeting a lady. No discussion of politics or science around ladies, even the educated ones. A visit should last no more than 30 minutes, otherwise it is seen as rude. Embrace the art of listening by never interrupting someone mid-speech. 

Sounds exhausting, yes, but also perhaps exciting. An entire group of people abiding by the same set of complex rules and expectations that breed scandal and social consequence at one misstep. This is hardly to say social conventions are a thing of the past, but what’s extraordinary about the Regency Era is the pure omnipotence of the social structure. If the Prince Regent wasn’t really governing England, then Regency decorum certainly was.

And while the formalities certainly added a rigid component to the reveling, the Regency’s sharp line between propriety and scandal made blurring those lines all the more thrilling. The need to conceal your angst of not knowing whether the suitor you’ve been eyeing all night will ask for your hand in a dance. The witty banter and conversation accompanying the evening, with both parties playfully toeing the line between proper and promiscuous. The sexual tension manifested in the few stolen touches during a walk in the garden (gotta love a good slow burn). Illicit affairs being just as intoxicating as they are damning.

COURTESY IMAGE // UNSPLASH

The Regency Era was utter grandeur and drama and passion — something that seems like a fantasy in today’s day and age, in which the extent of your romance is a few meager messages over Tinder, just for one person to ghost a few days later. Super classy. Today, we are burdened by monotony and indifference from our casual hookups, one-night stands, and oh-so-glamorous dating apps. Of all the magical things modernity has brought, it seems magic itself is not one of them.

Of course, it’s easy to invest your blood, sweat, and tears into the process of courting when that’s your one and only duty to society. The Regency would tragically wither in our overachieving capitalist society where one’s life would burst into flames upon ignoring responsibilities just to play debutante for the day. But alas, herein lies the very beauty of being able to escape into this world through our fantasies. Perhaps we might be so enamored because of how unattainable and ridiculous it all seems.

Now, after all that’s been said, it’s possible the Regency Era was not all that it was played up to be. While those with money and wealth flourished on what they already had, society was extremely economically stratified, and not surprisingly, proved unkind for the penniless. Not to mention, the fictional books and shows we escape to are exactly that — fictional. However, there is certainly something to the historical context inspiring these works that has still “bewitched us, body and soul” 200 years later.

Though we certainly have lost some of the magic that enraptured the Regency Era, I don’t think it has to be lost forever. In fact, I see our little obsession with it today as an attempt to rekindle the romance, and I commend us for it (you can even attend pop-up masquerade balls today if you know where to look). But hey, for all we know, the “Tinder Era” might be the next big thing in another 200 years, so I guess we may as well embrace it while we can.