British Money during the Regency Era

British money is a bit more complicated than

American. British coinage has a base of 12,

whereas American is based on 10. Plus, we

have not only the difference between American

and English coin values, but we also have to

consider the inflation over 200+ years.

When I read that a dowry is 10,000 pounds, I try to comprehend what that means compared to today’s money. Searching the internet, I discovered that in 2020 1 £ was equal to approximately $93, and accounting for inflation since then, we should figure each Pound (1 £) had a buying power of a bit over $114. That would make a £10,000 dowry around $ I.146 million in 2023 America. And it means that each pence back then had the buying power of what we could purchase for about 47½ ¢ today.

So Rob and Odell are gambling for farthings, ha’pennies, or shillings. Compare that to things we can buy today. A candy bar usually costs between $1.75 and $2.00 today; Rob or Odell would pay 3 or 4 pence. A banana is about 64¢ per pound. Rob and Odell would pay about 1.3 pence per 16 ounces. Apples are $1.49 a pound (weight); Odell could buy a pound of apples for 3 pence. I hope this helps you get a deeper understanding of the Regency money and costs. The picture above is a Regency Era Shilling.

Robert Mandeville, Knave of Hearts

Knave of Hearts, the prequel to That Wylde Woman, is currently in the editing process. Robert Mandeville is the knave. He is a man of many faces. Rob is brought up in a modest household by a father who gave up the establishments of the well-to-do to marry the woman he loved. Rob, the younger of his two biological sons, saw both the homespun world of modest cottage life and his Great Grandfather’s ton life of wealth and peerage.

Rob always craved acceptance from the world of the ton. The handsome Rob, almost a duplicate in looks of his Great Grandfather, has inherited his propensity for gambling. Rob decided this would be his method of entering into the world of the ton.

 

As a young man, Rob loves to love the ladies. Still, he steers clear of any long-lasting entanglements because he is determined to be notable, wealthy, and respected. When Lady Luck temporarily abandons Robert, a “five finger discount” for pawnable items was a substantial sideline venture to make quick cash. Soon you will be able to read all about the handsome and charming Robert, The Knave of Hearts.