'm writing a historical romance and being that I need to set my story in a region with wild and dramtic hills, rocky hills, I am planning to set the story in Shropshire....but then they characters have to travell ALL the way to London for the season.....about 336 miles or so. 6hours by CAR....wouldn't it take way too long by carriage?? Is it normal for a DUKE to retire to a country manor all the way in Shropshire?? If not, can you suggest a better location where there are many hills, rivers, etc.,
2006-07-24 21:46:15 · 3 answers · asked by J.Welkin 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
Derbyshire has a lot of stately homes; the Duke of Devonshire lives in Chatsworth. Yorkshire might be a good setting with its mysterious moors and wild scenery, but it is also a long way from London.
If your duke is wealthy, he would probably have teams of horses placed at coaching houses all along the route to London to facilitate his journey, so that his tired horses could be cared for and a fresh pair or team used - that would make the journey quicker. Lesser mortals would have to take the Mail or go by the stage. It would take several days. If he has a well-sprung, modern carriage, that would also be faster than the lumbering coaches. In any case, their horses would have to be changed, too. Also, if he's rich, he will have a well-ordered townhouse to go to, and obviously it will be ready for him when he arrives.
The upper classes would spend winter on their estates, with house guests visiting for perhaps several days; he might go off to visit other friends; they would hunt, shoot and fish. He would also have to spend some time overseeing his estates! He may have childhood friends nearby - he may even have an old mother (dowager) living there, or other dependents!
With a little research, you can find out how many miles a team of horses could pull a carriage per day and when they needed a rest. Then the occupants would have refreshment at the inn while the ostlers took care of the horses; and at the end of the day, they would spend the night there. A well-ordered staff would ensure your duke had clean sheets, a private room and everything ready.
You might research the Cotswolds, which would be a little nearer to London, or Kent and Sussex; but for wild and romantic scenery I feel you may have to go north, or to Wales.
2006-07-25 01:50:08 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
Let the setting be somewhere in India. Travel is no problem, because anything is possible in fiction.
2006-07-25 04:50:18 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Derbyshire...Darcy lived there in Pride and Prejudice and it was close enough to London. Too cliche though?
2006-07-25 05:19:45 · answer #3 · answered by Sandie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋