Grand Tour
From the seventeenth century until the French Revolutionary Wars, it was customary for aristocratic young men in Britain to be sent off on a long tour of Europe. After the defeat of Napoleon in 1815, this custom was resumed.
Enthusiasm
In this era, the term implied 'fanaticism'.
Excise Department
See note on Excise Taxes above
Toll Roads
Before the creation of 'Turnpike Trusts' to upkeep roads over the course of the eighteenth century, roads were in a poor state. With a Toll Road, a piece of road was fenced off at both ends and a Toll House levied a charge for its use. This meant that it was increasingly difficult for highwaymen to use the roads for a fast escape from pursuit.
Bounty Hunters
In the absence of a police force, the capture of lawbreakers was a haphazard business, involving local constables and night watchmen and the services of freelance "Thief Takers in pursuit of rewards, besides the semi-official Bow Street Runners" (see above).
A dependant on her brother
An unmarried woman from the middle ranks of society at this time would be a financial dependant on her male relatives for life. Otherwise, she had to take up work as a companion or a governess.
War with France
In March 1793, Great Britain, along with Austria, Prussia, Spain, Piedmont and the United Provinces invaded France to restore monarchial power.
Sapete song
'Voi Che Sapete' from Mozart's 'The Marriage of Figaro', 1786
Connections with Trade
Connections with trade were seen as vulgar by the old landed families, though increasingly, impoverished members of the aristocracy and gentry did marry into families who had made their money through trade. Isabella's family is nouveau riche, though her father has been knighted. In proposing to marry her Edmund Ravensdale, let alone his cousin the Earl, is going to marry far below himself on the social scale.
Great Workshops
During this period, the development of machinery and manufacturing processes increased rapidly. 'The Industrial Revolution' was about to begin. The dispossession of the rural poor increased the massive migration to the workplaces in the towns and cities on to the workplaces in the towns and cities.
Stopping the wedding procession
A common theme in classic robber novels, featuring in 'Rinaldo Rinaldini' and the later (1831) novel by Alexander Pushkin, 'Dubrovsky'.
Ravensdale Page 6