Its always nice to have a little context while either reading or writing a Regency. As such, I have prepared a month long look at of some of the major Parliamentary Acts between 1801-1819 with some descriptions to delight, enhance, and inform.
We kick off in 1801.
The Act of Union, (Jan. 1, 1801) was a controversial legislative agreement uniting Great Britain (England and Scotland) and Ireland under the name of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Following the Irish Rebellion of 1798 the British Parliament was concerned about the potential for further conflict, and argued that a union would help spur economic development in Ireland.
In reality, the balance of power was thought to be in Britain’s favor and was secured with “the undisguised purchase of votes, either by cash or by bestowal of honours, secured a majority in both the British and Irish Houses that carried the union on March 28, 1800” (http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/614673/Act-of-Union)
For more on the “disastrous” act, see: http://www.victorianweb.org/history/ireland1.html
Another landmark (albeit domestic) case happened in 1801, with the The Addison-Campbell Divorce Act 1801. Until 1857, when the Matrimonial Causes Act of 1857 allowed for legal processing of divorce, the only way to obtain a divorce was to be granted an Act of Parliament. There were only two causes which would grant such an Act, adultery or life-threatening cruelty. The Addison-Campbell Divorce was significant because it was the first petition submitted and granted by and to a woman.
“Jane Campbell divorced her husband, Edward Addison, on the grounds of “incestuous adultery” with her sister, Jessy Campbell. She also obtained custody of their children, which was very unusual for a woman in this period. Evidence was given by Jessy Campbell’s maid that Mr Addison had frequently visited her mistress in his dressing gown and slippers “about an Hour or an Hour and an Half after she had been Bed”” (http://www.totalpolitics.com/history/321577/the-first-divorce-obtained-by-a-woman.thtml)
For more, check out the original filings: http://www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/transformingsociety/private-lives/relationships/collections1/from-the-parliamentary-collections-divorce/
In addition to these two historically significant Acts, there were also a variety of other actions taken in 1801 including:
(The Annual Register, Or, A View of the History, Politics, and Literature)
