Georgian

Historically the Georgian period refers to the reigns of the first three Georges:

• George I (1714-1727)
• George II (1727-1760)
• George III (1760-1820)

There is some overlap with the Regency period because the Prince became Regent in 1811 due to the madness of King George III.

Writers enjoy the Georgian era due to the flamboyant nature of the men -- powdered wigs, high heels, paint, jewels, and swords -- together the political intrigue of the Court. Another charm of the Georgian period is the high style of upper class life. One author who frequently writes in this period is Jo Beverley who writes:

"Georgian has come to be synonymous with elegance -- in houses (Adams), furniture (Chippendale and Hepplewhite) and landscape (Capability Brown). On beautiful estates, or in London, Bath, and Paris, the nobility played at balls and routs, enjoyed musical soirees and literary salons, and gambled for ruinously high stakes without, of course, ever showing by a blink that they cared about the turn of the card or the roll of the dice.

"It was also, unlike the later Regency and Victorian ages, a time of damn-your-eyes amorality. Life was still rough and chancy, even for the nobility, and they made the most of it, often indulging without stint in food, wine, and sex. Syphilis was a serious problem, as were many other infectious diseases.