Travelling through Regency Britain in the 1800s must have been a fabulous experience and very different from today.
Three generations of the Caldcleugh, Lewis and Ancrum families were lucky enough to experience the world in its heyday and The Story of a Honeymoon in 1814 gives a great insight to the exciting times.
It’s a social history book based on archival material from the families and the story unfolds with a honeymoon journal kept by Margaret after her marriage to merchant Arthur Lewis in Croydon in 1814.
Written by Michael J Richards, the book is an insight into travel through Regency Britain in a cramped landaulet carriage and features their visits to historical, geological and industrial sites of interest, such as Lancaster Cathedral, Peak Cavern (Devil’s Arse) and the Derby Silk Mill, revealing the places and people they meet.
The couple’s family and friends are introduced in more detail and the emigration of Margaret’s father to America in 1768 is recorded, along with his two elder brothers who ended up on opposite sides in the American War of Independence.
The reader can follow Emily, Margaret’s youngest daughter, as she enters into an ‘arranged’ marriage with Dr Ancrum, surgeon superintendent of the British Naval Hospital, Valparaiso (1848-1857).
Fascinatingly, some of the events in this section are now commemorated by the issue of postage stamps by the Pitcairn Island Government of British Overseas Territories, using images from the book.
In 1857 Emily returned to England with her small children on a voyage that was hazardous in the extreme. Ships that were hardly seaworthy, yellow fever sickness and the possibility that she might die leaving her children in the hands of strangers, this was a harrowing story over which love ultimately triumphed.
Such was the impact of Emily’s words on the author, that included in the book is an original score he composed for solo piano to celebrate her resilience.
The book is a remarkable story and journey, beautifully constructed through painstaking research and which provides a wealth of supporting and fascinating information.
Author, Michael Richards is a retired consultant anaesthetist who worked for 40 years in the NHS and with a continuing interest in supporting health care in Kenya. He is a family historian and curator of the archives of the Caldcleugh, Ancrum and Evans families.
Published: 30th April 2025
ISBN: 978-1-0687954-0-4 234
UK Price: £25.00
Pages: 344 pages with 138 illustrations, 23 maps and charts and colour throughout
Format: Hardback
The Story of a Honeymoon in 1814 – A Bridal Tour of Britain
By Michael J Richards
Published by Whittles Publishing
The Story of a Honeymoon in 1814 is available to buy on the Whittles Publishing website, from Blackwell’s and also on Amazon.
Author Bio:
Rebecca Hay is an experienced travel writer and member of The British Guild of Travel Writers. Follow her adventures with her family on Twitter and Instagram @emojiadventurer and on Facebook via EmojiAdventurers2.
Images courtesy of Whittles Publishing
What an amazing achievement which brings to life, life in England during the Regency and Victorian eras. This book not only masterfully explores social and industrial history of the times but highlights the skills,capabilites, determination and resilience of the key female characters, Margaret and Emily.It is a masterpiece and a must read.