Today I am delighted to welcome Sharon Lathan to Diary of an Eccentric to celebrate her latest release, Darcy and Elizabeth: Hope of the Future. I hope you enjoy her guest post on the history of wedding cakes, an excerpt from her new novel, and a very generous giveaway. Please give her a warm welcome!
Thank you, Anna, for hosting me on your blog today. It is an honor to be here, and a great pleasure to share a bit of my research with your readers. Especially, of course, is my thrill in sharing my latest novel! Darcy and Elizabeth: Hope of the Future is the second book in the two-volume Darcy Saga Prequel Duo, which began with Darcy and Elizabeth: A Season of Courtship. These two novels perfectly fit with my Darcy Saga Sequel to Pride and Prejudice, the series now including nine lengthy novels and one novella. That is a lot of happily ever after! Of course, a couple cannot have a happily ever after until they are married, and that means a ceremony and celebratory feast with a CAKE!
Wedding Cake Trivia
As everyone knows, the wedding cake is a vital necessity for a perfect wedding ceremony, on par with the wedding gown and flowers, and almost as important as the groom himself! A cake at the wedding feast, like the flowers, has been a central focus for centuries and in nearly every culture. Dating far into antiquity, it is the Romans who are credited with placing special significance onto a cake. Largely this is due to the symbolism of fertility, plenty, and health attached to various grains, from which also arises the custom of tossing rice and grain seeds onto the newly married couple.
As the Roman Empire spread across the then-know world, wedding cake traditions were adopted, including in England. With cake in mind, today I am sharing a handful of English wedding cake historical tidbits.
—Early wedding cakes were single tiered and small. Elaborate decorations were rare, the preference for simplicity, and cakes fit the regional traditions and superstitions.
—The first stacked cakes were of spiced buns and tiny cakes piled into a tower. An example is the Croquembouche, a French wedding cake created in the 1700s.
—Tiered cakes were impossible to manage beyond two levels due to the heaviness of flour and sugar before the ability to refine. Before 1870, any tiered cake contained upper “mock” tiers of spun sugar, not cake.
—The first recorded recipe specifically for a wedding dessert was in The Accomplisht Cook by Robert May in 1685. Called “Bride’s Pye” the recipe included oysters, pine kernels, cockscombs, lamb testicles, sweetbreads, and spices. Not exactly the wedding dessert we imagine!
—For a time, Bride’s Pies gained popularity in England. Pastry crusts were ornate and the meat fillings rich. A tradition was to hide a ring inside the pie, and the young lady who found the ring was fated to be the next married.
—A separate groom’s cake originated in England in the 17th century. Smaller, darker, and heavier than a bride’s cake, it was cut and given to the guests to take home. Tradition dictated the recipients place the cake under his or her pillow to pass the good luck by dreaming of future spouses.
—Sugar was readily available in England after 1650, but only in granulated form. Sugar could be “double refined” or ground by hand to create a smoother texture, but this increased the cost. True confectioner’s sugar (powdered sugar) did not exist until the late 1800s.
—White frosting of meringue and sugar first appeared in the 17th century. These early frostings needed to be heated in an oven to firm. Icing recipes recorded in the 1700s varied, but all required additional cooking to harden, were tricky to do right, and much more expensive. Having a white iced cake was an outward declaration of affluence.
—Hearkening to ancient traditions of tossing grains, in medieval and ancient England, the cake was broken over the bride’s head. This evolved to the bride cutting into the wedding cake and distributing to the guests, the belief being that her touch passed the happy blessing. As cakes increased in size, the groom was invited to “help” in the process.
—The tradition of sharing a slice of cake arose from the previous tradition. The bride would cut the first slice for the groom. He would eat a bite, then return the slice to his bride, who would then eat a bite. The gesture was a sign of their mutual commitment to provide for each other.
—Although a wedding cake was a firm tradition long before Queen Victoria, it was her famed white wedding cake with the spun-sugar figures atop (see image) that established the standard cake still most common today.
Anyone hungry yet? Ready to crash a wedding with me? The latter might be a tad improper, so perhaps it might be better to read my novel and attend the wedding of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth.
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Excerpt from Darcy and Elizabeth: Hope of the Future, courtesy of Sharon Lathan
Between bites, Mrs. Bennet informed them, “While I was downstairs a message arrived from Mrs. Filiatreau. She reports that the florist in Derbyshire can send Jacob’s ladder blooms as you requested, Lizzy.”
“That is excellent news! They were plentiful in Derbyshire, including in the gardens at Pemberley. A beautiful flower with a lovely fragrance. They will blend well with the lavender and honeysuckle, in both fragrance and appearance, to create a fabulous bouquet.”
“Bluish-purple flowers, is that right?”
“Yes, Jane. I saw some that were bluer than purple, the hue varying. Hopefully, the ones Mrs. Filiatreau sends are blue.”
“To match the necklace Mr. Darcy gave you! Oh, it is divine. Can we see it again, Lizzy?”
Lizzy shook her head, Kitty immediately pouting. “Sorry, but I asked Papa to keep it locked in his desk. I cannot fathom its worth, even without taking the sentimental value into account. Frankly, having possession of such a necklace is a frightening responsibility.”
“Might as well get used to it. Imagine the jewels you will have as Mrs. Darcy.” Flipping from a pout to dreaminess, Kitty sighed. “I bet there are cases and cases of diamonds, rubies, emeralds—”
“Precisely why the wedding must be perfect,” Mrs. Bennet interrupted. “Two Bennet daughters marrying wealthy, respected gentlemen of Society. We shall be the talk of the county for ages!”
Jane met Lizzy’s eyes, the sisters sharing a tolerant smile. Their expressions were amused, a contrast to the contortions of dread and embarrassment perpetually worn during the initial weeks of their engagements. Harnessing their dramatic mother was a feat they had found impossible to do anyway.
Moreover, after discussing it privately, the brides-to-be had a revelation. The near-fatal disaster of Lydia’s actions resulted in a hasty wedding none of them had been informed of in time to attend, even if they had wanted to. Despite Mrs. Bennet’s brave face and boasting of Lydia being married to a gentleman officer, they saw her pain. She had been robbed of her honorable, rightful place as a mother, unable to participate in any way. Therefore, while a tendency to roll their eyes remained and they did from time to time need to pull on the reins, they had agreed to concur with whatever she wanted.
“The flowers are arranged for, even the yellow flowers you wanted, Jane. Roses should not be a problem, and Mrs. Filiatreau has connections that may have late-blooming dahlias or peonies.”
“Thank you, Mama. I am content with whatever she can manage. I am still amazed you talked Reverend Jenney into placing ribbons and flowers on the pews. He is a dear man, but a stickler for traditions.”
Mrs. Bennet looked slightly offended. “He understands what an important wedding this is! Besides, I can be very persuasive.”
“Mr. Darcy spoke to Mr. Jenney, requesting the inclusion as a personal favor.”
Lizzy’s teacup hit the saucer with a sharp clink. “He did? How do you know that, Mary?”
Mary flushed and dropped her eyes. “I was at the church when Mr. Darcy came in. I was in the back pew, praying, so do not think he saw me. I did not mean to overhear, but they were standing a half-dozen feet away!” Finally convinced that no one thought her an active eavesdropper, she explained, “Mr. Darcy specifically noted that allowing modest decoration inside the church was his request as a gift to Mrs. Bennet for her kindness. Is that not kind of him? I do not think he wanted you to know, Mama, so do not make a fuss over it. He does not like undue attention.”
Lizzy was unsure what shocked her more—Darcy’s thoughtfulness toward Mrs. Bennet, whom he pretended fondness for but Lizzy knew he barely tolerated, or Mary’s astute observations of Mr. Darcy’s character. Lizzy honestly could not recall Mary and Mr. Darcy speaking a single word to each other outside of the obligatory greetings.
As they enjoyed the repast, Mrs. Bennet prattled on, methodically enumerating upon the church decorations before moving on to the wedding cake and breakfast menu. They had heard the reports a dozen times, but what bride doesn’t adore discussing her upcoming wedding?
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About Darcy and Elizabeth: Hope of the Future (Darcy Saga Prequel Book #2)
Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet will soon be joined in Holy Matrimony! The initial month of their Season of Courtship has passed. Together, the lovers strengthened their bond through honest communication, as they dealt with adversity, jealousy, and distrust. Ever growing in mutual love and understanding, a dramatic confrontation broke through the final barriers. Now their Hope of the Future “happily ever after” is assured! As long as Lady Catherine can be stopped in her scheme to interfere, that is. Or, will Mrs. Bennet’s bad advice ruin future marital felicity? Might increasing liberation lead to overwhelming passions that cannot be controlled, with catastrophe a result? Continue the journey begun in Darcy and Elizabeth: A Season of Courtship. Delight in their flourishing romance, ride along on their escapades in London, and be a witness at the wedding of the century. The miraculous design of how Two Shall Become One begins before the sacred vows. Darcy and Elizabeth: Hope of the Future is Volume 2 of the “prequel duo” for Sharon Lathan’s Darcy Saga sequel series to Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.
Purchasing links:
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About the Author
Sharon Lathan is the best-selling author of The Darcy Saga sequel series to Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice. Her first novel, Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy: Two Shall Become One, was published in 2009. Sharon’s series of “happily ever after” for the Darcys now totals nine full-length novels and one Christmas themed novella.
Darcy & Elizabeth: A Season of Courtship and Darcy & Elizabeth: Hope of the Future complete the “prequel to the sequel” duo recounting the betrothal months before the Darcy Saga began.
Sharon is a native Californian relocated in 2013 to the green hills of Kentucky, where she resides with her husband of over thirty years. Retired from a thirty-year profession as a registered nurse in Neonatal Intensive Care, Sharon is pursuing her dream as a full-time writer.
Sharon is a member of the Jane Austen Society of North America, JASNA Louisville, the Romance Writers of America (RWA), the Beau Monde chapter of the RWA, and serves as the website manager and on the board of the Louisville Romance Writers chapter of the RWA.
Sharon is the co-creator of Austen Authors, a group blog for authors of Austenesque literary fiction. Visit at: www.AustenAuthors.net
Connect with Sharon via Website/blog | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest
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Giveaway
Sharon is kindly offering 2 ebook copies of Darcy and Elizabeth: Hope of the Future. To enter, please leave a comment with your email address. We’d love to hear your thoughts on the wedding cake trivia or what most interests you about the book. This giveaway will close on Sunday, September 3, 2017. The winners will be chosen randomly and announced in the comments section of this post. Good luck!
Thanks, Sharon, for being my guest today, and congratulations on your new release!
What a lovely thing for Darcy to do! Do sweet and considerate of him!!
Yes,it’s true that because of Lydia’s rushed nuptials,Mrs B was robbed of the chance of organising the wedding breakfast for the happy couple a day playing her rightful part in the proceedings.
How very understanding of Jane and Lizzy to give her as much scope as possible in realising her dreams for her dear girls!
Lively excerpt! Cheers for sharing!
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Hi Mary! Thanks for stopping by. Oh yes, Mr. Darcy is a peach! But we already knew that, right? 🙂
I do have a slight soft spot for Mrs. Bennet, and can personally understand her feelings over Lydia’s unusual wedding circumstances.
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Well thank goodness they no longer have Bride’s Pye, I would rather have stayed single than eat that! Plus the breaking of the cake over the poor bride would have been painful at the least as they were apparently extremely heavy!!
Great excerpt. I love this book and went on to read the other books. I have just finished The Trouble With Mr Darcy. (Bliss!)
I’m really looking forward to Sharon continuing this series and please don’t enter me in the giveaway as I already have this lovely romantic book.
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The Bride’s Pye does sound disgusting, I agree. I accidentally tried sweetbreads once, and the memory still haunts me! LOL!
You are correct that the older cakes were very heavy. I’m not sure if the custom was to break the cake ON the bride’s head as much as to break it OVER her head so that the crumbs showered down. Either way, a bit messy! LOL!
You have been a busy reader! My goodness! I better start hustling on my writing! Yikes!!
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Wow! Such research is always delightful. I had no idea of the bride’s cake traditions throughout history. Thank you for sharing this with us. Anna, thank you for hosting today and Sharon, thank you for the generous give-a-way. Blessings on the book launch and success.
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Thanks J. W.! I do love the research, So much so that I need to rein myself in much like the Bennet brides had to rein in Mrs. Bennet. LOL!
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Wonderful excerpt. Fun post. My sister had a groom cake at her wedding. It was in the shape of an Amarillo. Yes, there is a story.lol. Thank you for the giveaway. Cherringtonmb at sbcglobal dot net
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The more I see the creative ideas for groom’s cakes, I think they are as much fun as the main wedding cake! For my son-in-law, we had a sheet cake made with an outdoor scene: river, lake, trees. And then added a mini-log cabin. He is from Kentucky, and loves the outdoors. The log cabin was designed to replicate the log cabin where Abraham Lincoln was born, which is in Kentucky just 15 miles from were we live!
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I enjoyed the history of the wedding cake. Thank you for sharing. Please do not enter me in the give away. I already have the eboo. k and am reading it.
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Hi Deborah! So happy you stopped by, and thanks for purchasing my novel! {hugs}
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Loved the excerpt and the history of the cake. For my part, I think I’ll skip the buns, ha ha! Thanks so much for featuring Sharon here. I have been waiting … waiting … for new books to come forth from her pen. No need to include me in the drawing as I already have the books. And as soon as I finish my edits on my own long story, I intend to delve in! Best Wishes Sharon! Jen Red
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The long wait is over. Praise the Lord! Thanks for hanging in there, Jen. Faithful fans mean the world to me. {hugs} Sharon
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I like the trivia re wedding cakes!
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Thanks for sharing your knowledge on wedding cakes, Sharon. I love reading the excerpt too.
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Eek, I forgot to in include my email. It’s evangelineace2020(at)yahoo(dot)com
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I enjoyed this information about the cake, too bad I really do not like cake. Now frosting is a different matter. I enjoyed reading the excerpt as well. My email is scrapper71(@)gmail(dot)com.
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I wish I didn’t like cake. Sure would make the dieting easier! LOL! Thanks for stopping by, Debra.
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Thank you for sharing the details on the wedding cake, then and now. I love hearing about what was usual before Queen Victoria and how she influenced what we do today. Thank you Sharon for your thorough research and including amazing details in your lovely story telling.
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It is truly amazing how many historical changes date to the reign of Victoria. But then, she reigned for such a long time that it does make sense. I’m glad my yummy blog was enjoyed. Thanks Samantha!
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Such interesting history on wedding cakes! Love the excerpt, Darcy definitely shows his thoughtfulness. It’s no wonder we love him so much!! Thank you for the giveaway! tdungnvu (at) yahoo (dot) com
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It continually amazes me how even the simplest things have a wealth of history. I am never bored! Thanks for stopping by, Dung. Good luck with the giveaway 🙂
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Like Lizzy, I like the insight shown by Mary – in both understanding Mr. Darcy and cautioning Mrs. Bennet. The story sounds great. Can’t wait to read!
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Mary has her moments. Few of them, but she can surprise! Thanks, Linda!
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Your descriptions of the evolution of wedding cakes is wonderful. You’re an amazing font of information.
Only Darcy would think of requesting that the minister oblige Mrs. Bennet. He will not only do whatever he can to insure Elizabeth’s happiness but also her family.
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Yep! That’s the Darcy we all know and love! I appreciate the comment, Kate. I only wish I had more time to write blogs on all the history I uncover. It is all so fascinating!
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Interesting trivia about wedding cakes–especially the custom of breaking the cake over the poor bride’s head! I have the first of the two prequels and look forward to reading the second to complete my Darcy Saga collection (yup, I have them all!)
rcmsilvia@gmail.com
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I always knew Darcy was a true gentleman! Love that he does something nice for Mrs B 🙂 And I love the trivia about wedding cakes, did not know they broke it over the bride’s head – wondering why not the groom’s as well? I don’t want wedding cake on my nice hair LOL! Erika Messer hopefuldelights1 (at) yahoo (dot) com
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Thanks to everyone who checked out Sharon’s wedding cake trivia!
The giveaway winners are BeckyC and Kate Geoffrion! Congrats and happy reading! Sharon will be in touch soon.
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Congratulations to Kate and BeckyC!
To everyone: Thanks for making my visit at Diary of an Eccentric so wonderful. It was super fun! Anna, you are the BEST! ❤
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Aw, thanks, Sharon! It was a pleasure having you as a guest!
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Woohoo! Thank you so much! Congratulations to Kate as well
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Wow, this is some in-depth wedding cake research.
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Indeed!
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