In this episode, I’m joined by historian, author, and Austen expert Jackie Herring as we step inside Bath Abbey, home to over 1,500 memorials, each with its own story. Amongst the stones, we uncover not only the world Jane Austen knew, but the real people who may have shaped her writing and world in ways we are still discovering today.
Jackie brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, having previously served as Director of the Jane Austen Festival, leading tours in Bath and the Abbey for many years, and now working as Editor of Jane Austen’s Regency World Magazine. Together, we explore the rich and often surprising connections between the Abbey and Austen’s life.
From a royal governess connected to Queen Charlotte’s household, to an innkeeper whose name echoes through Emma, to an ambitious entrepreneur who revolutionised the postal system, these lives, memorialised in the Abbey, offer fascinating glimpses into the society Austen observed so closely. We also explore more personal connections, from the apothecary who cared for Austen’s family, to the grief surrounding her father’s death, and a family friend whose story hints at the complex realities behind novels like Mansfield Park.
Jane Austen lived in Bath from 1801 to 1806, and while the Abbey would have looked different in her time, its walls and floors still hold echoes of her world. This conversation invites us to slow down, to look closer, and to remember that history is not just written in books-it is set in stone.
Visit Bath Abbey: https://bathabbey.digitickets.co.uk/event-tickets/62090?catID=59521&
Jackie’s book Jane Austen's Bath Abbey: https://www.janeaustenmagazine.co.uk/books.php
Jane Austen’s Regency World Magazine: https://www.janeaustenmagazine.co.uk/issues.php
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What the Austen? is a cosy podcast hosted by Izzy Meakin, exploring the wit, charm, and quirks of Jane Austen’s novels through lively conversations with fellow enthusiasts. On YouTube and all podcasting platforms. @whattheausten
