TV Review: Elegance and Decadence: The Age of the Regency

Aired on BBC 4 some weeks back, this 3 part documentary series celebrates the 200th anniversary of the regency of George IV, which ran from 1811-1820 (the year he became king). While a bit quirky (at one point, she tries on some dandy clothes), the host, historian Lucy Worsley, does make this history lesson a bit fun and very informative. She talks to experts in varied fields about what their insight is to that particular part of the regency, such as a painter, employees, a food historian, and some employees at various regency significant locations (such as Kew Castle), and all have a small tale to tell. She covers topics like, the waltz, Jane Austen, architecture, the Napoleonic wars, and the Luddite revolts, among others, and I'm very glad I took the time to watch it. While I'm more of a Victorian kind of girl, I nonetheless rather enjoyed this series, and highly recommend you see it if you ever get the chance. I give Elegance and Decadence: The Age of the Regency 4 out of 5 stars.

BBC 4 Page

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3