Jane Austen's World: Women's Lives in Regency England

Overview

We think we are familiar with the lives of regency women from screen adaptions of Jane Austen's works and other romantic novels. But what was life really like for middle-class women during this important period in history?

In this day school, four expert speakers will consider aspects of middle class women’s lives in Jane Austen’s England: the books they read, the objects they consumed, their domestic accomplishments such as embroidery and other textile crafts, and their involvement with the outside world via the law.  At the end of the day school attendees will be able to judge for themselves how close the Regency period as depicted on TV and cinema is to the social history, materiality and actuality of women’s lives during this period.

Please note: this event will close to enrolments at 23:59 GMT on 25 February 2026.

Programme details

Saturday 28 February

9.45am
Registration at Rewley House Reception

10am
Women's Reading in Regency England 
Dr Kim Simpson, Chawton House/University of Southampton

11.15am
Tea/coffee break

11.45am
Austen, Women and the Law
Professor Sandie Byrne, Oxford Life Long Learning

1pm
Lunch break

2pm
Clergy Lives and Clergymen's Wives: Consumption in the Georgian Parsonage
Professor Jon Stobart, Manchester Metropolitan University

3.15pm
Tea/coffee break

3.45pm
Crafting Worlds: Women's Domestic Accomplishments in the Era of Jane Austen
Dr Freya Gowrley, University of Bristol

5pm
Course Disperses 

Fees

Description Costs
Event Fee (includes tea/coffee) £120.00
Baguette lunch £7.50
Hot lunch £21.25

Funding

If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit or are a full-time student in the UK you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees.

Concessionary fees for short courses

Tutor

Prof Sandie Byrne

Sandie Byrne is Associate Professor of English Literature and Director of Studies in English, OUDCE and a Fellow of Kellogg College, Oxford. She is the author of a number of books and articles on nineteenth- and twentieth-century writing.

Application

Please use the 'Book' button on this page. Alternatively, please contact us to obtain an application form.

Accommodation

If you wish to stay with us before and/or after the event, please contact our Residential Centre for availability and discounted rates.

Call +44 (0) 1865 270362 or email res-ctr@conted.ox.ac.uk

Our accommodation in Wellington Square has been rated as 4-Star Campus Accommodation under Visit England. All bedrooms are modern, comfortably furnished with tea/coffee making facilities, Freeview television, private bath/shower rooms and free WiFi. For more details see our accommodation information.