Expert: Mark Smith - 5/19/2004

Question
I would like to know if you can tell me anything about the Regency era? Or when it was?

Answer
Hello Sabrina. Strictly speaking the Regency period lasted just nine years from February 1811 to January 1820. From the date when George, Prince of Wales was declared Prince Regent to rule with the powers of his insane father, George III until King George died and the Prince Regent became King himself as George IV.
However in a cultural sense it lasted much longer. It is used to describe a new style in the decorative arts, architecture and fashion and a period of aristocratic extravagence and gaiety. In that sense the Regency is loosely used to cover the period from c 1800 to 1840 when a more restrictive code in all things became the norm.
Mark