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Archive for the ‘Dancing’ Category

Almack’s Assembly Rooms

Posted in Dancing, Marriage, tagged on August 28, 2006|


The patronesses of Almack’s Assembly Rooms on King Street near St. James’s Park could make or break one socially, although the food they served left something to be desired.

The Great Metropolis was written in 1837 by James Grant, a member of Almack’s. In a chapter in his book, he discusses Almack’s origin and impact on Society.

Find another description of Almack’s here.

And more information on Wikipedia.

Find a detailed, if dry, description of Almack’s on King Street on this British History Online site.

Finally, want to have some fun? Find a detailed, erudite description of the history of Almack’s on Almack’s Online Gaming Club. You can even join the club and play bridge or backgammon! There are privileged rates for hereditary peers. (You must live in an area where gaming is allowed.)

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Shall We Dance? Regency Style

Posted in Dancing on August 26, 2006|

(The First Quadrille at Almack’s, Wikimedia Commons:  The quadrille was introduced to England around 1808 by a woman known as Miss Berry. It was introduced to the Duke of Devonshire and made fashionable by 1813. In the following years it was taught to the upper classes, and around 1816 many people could dance a quadrille. It became the standard dance of the Victorian ball.)

“In 1814 the famous Lady Jersey was at the head of the Council, and the balls at Almack’s were the ne plus ultra of fashionable entertainments. In those days a voucher for Almack’s, only obtained from one of the six lady patronesses, was the aim and object of all who wished to shine in the mystic circle of the ultra-fashionable clique of London society; and an introduction to one of these great ladies was a matter of most anxious importance. The very stringent code of rules which guarded these gatherings from the intrusion of anyone outside the privileged circle was drawn up by Lady Jersey and her co-patronesses, and an admission was fraught with great difficulties. Each lady could only give a certain number of vouchers, and only the quintessence of aristocracy were present, while it was said three-fourths of the nobility knocked in vain at the portals of Almack’s.” – Mrs. Armytage

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