Victoria: A Brief Guide to the Idea of a Regency

With Victoria facing the possibility of death in childbirth, she had to choose a regent just in case her child survived. Here’s some historical context.

The Regency period is generally quite popular in fiction, and we suspect that the works of one Jane Austen might have something to do with it. A romance novel aficionado can’t go more than two steps in the section without tripping over at least five regency romances. However, Victoria takes place after what we know as the Regency period…so why did everyone throw the word “regent” around this week?

To make a long story very short, a regency in general refers to a period of time in which an adult or adults (keep this in mind for later) rules in place of someone else. In Victoria’s case, should she have died giving birth, the regent she named, Albert, would have ruled for their child until said child reached his or her majority. Victoria herself didn’t have a regent, since she was already 18 when she ascended the throne.

Now, as for what we call the Regency period, the definitions are a bit loose. For example, the Oxford Dictionary specifically says that describing something British as Regency means it has to come from between 1811 and 1820. Encyclopedia Britannica, on the other hand, extends the period to 1830. After all, the Regent of the Regency period, the king we know as George IV, reigned until 1830. (He took over for his father, George III, in that 1811-20 period.)

As for an actual regency for a child in action, look no further than the Tudors. Elizabeth I’s half-brother, Edward VI, took the throne at the age of nine. He then died before reaching his majority. He had a regency council. However, it did not go well, and there were struggles for power.

In other words, Victoria’s choice to pick a single regent in Albert was not a bad idea at all.

At the same time, we don’t have to worry. We know from history that Victoria will live until 1901.

Next: Gillian Anderson Could be the Next Doctor

Victoria airs its season finale on PBS this coming Sunday.