Accusing Mr. Darcy by Kelly Miller: Guest Post + Giveaway

Hello, friends! I’m happy to welcome Kelly Miller back to my blog to celebrate the release of Accusing Mr. Darcy. Kelly is here to share a little about Tideswell Church, which is featured in the novel. Please give her a warm welcome!

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Tideswell Church

In Accusing Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth Bennet and her friends travel to the town of Tideswell and stop at its celebrated church. Today the church is a Grade 1 listed building known as St John the Baptist Church or the nickname, “The Cathedral of the Peak.”

Two conflicting stories endure for how Tideswell got its name. Some sources claim the town name honours a Saxon chieftain named Tidi. Others point to the existence of an ancient “tiding well” located in the garden of an inn called Craven House.

The town of Tideswell received a market charter in 1251 and grew to become a principal source for wool, lead, and local produce. The town’s prosperity led to the construction of their magnificent medieval church. Construction on the church, to replace a small Norman church, began in 1320. However, all work on the church halted for many years due to the Black Death, which felled one third of England’s population, so the church was not completed until 1400. The initial construction followed the Late Gothic architectural style, but the subsequent work, including the tower and chancel, evidences a transition to Perpendicular style.

Notable tombs at the church include that of two unknown ladies dating back to the 1300’s and the tomb of Sir Sampson Meverill, allegedly a victor in the Battle of Agincourt, who died in 1462.

In 1873, the church went through a major restoration. Stunning stained-glass windows and the work of a local wood carver, Avent Hunstone, added to the church’s decor during this timeframe.

In my story, Elizabeth is fascinated by the elaborate alabaster tomb of Sir Thurstan de Bower and his wife. The wealthy de Bower family had been prominent in the area. Sir Thurstan de Bower, who died around 1423, contributed towards the construction of the church and is credited as the sole benefactor for the spacious south transept.

I viewed de Bower’s tomb when I visited the church last summer and was dismayed to find it in a makeshift storeroom surrounded by random supplies. The tomb showed signs of age, but it remained a compelling memorial to one of the church’s benefactors.

Photo by Kelly Miller

Photo by Kelly Miller

Eyam

Located near Tideswell is the town of Eyam, known as “Plague Village” for the extraordinary sacrifice made by the village when the plague returned in the 17th century. During my trip to England last summer, our tour guide drove us by Eyam and mentioned its sad history. I thought this significant period to be worth mentioning for anyone who might be unaware, especially in this time of Covid-19.

In September 1665, a bale of cloth sent from London arrived in Eyam containing fleas infected with the plague. The unfortunate tailor’s assistant who opened the bale became the town’s first victim of the plague. The man, who had intended to remain in town for a week to help make clothes for Wakes Week, a religious festival, did not survive.

Forty-two people in Eyam died from the plague in the next two months. Villagers began to distance themselves, with church services held in the open air and families standing apart from each other. Some villagers began to speak of leaving their homes to escape the plague. Eyam’s rector, William Mompesson, opposed the notion of anyone leaving. He decided the town must be quarantined to prevent the plague’s spread. However, the parishioners resisted the new and unpopular rector’s plea that amounted to risking their lives for the sake of others.

The town’s former rector, Thomas Stanley, had been removed by the church for refusing to acknowledge the 1662 Act of Uniformity, which dictated the use of the Book of Common Prayer. In desperation, Mompesson asked Stanley’s assistance, and the two men met with the townspeople on June 24, 1666.

Mompesson told his parishioners that the town had to be closed off else the disease would spread throughout the country. By then, he had contacted the Duke of Devonshire, living nearby at Chatsworth House. The duke offered to provide them with food and supplies if they agreed to the quarantine. Mompesson averred that he would rather sacrifice his life than be responsible for spreading the sickness to countless others. Stanley spoke in favour of Mompesson’s plan and with his influence, the villagers agreed: they would risk their own lives and cut themselves off from the surrounding towns.

Relentless devastation ensued in the next months. In some cases, entire families succumbed. In November of 1666, the disease was eradicated. 260 of Eyam’s residents perished from the plague. Historians estimate the total population before the plague had been between 350 and 800 people. Mompesson survived, but his 27-year-old wife perished.

Today many of the houses in Eyam bear plaques detailing the people lost in the plague. In addition, the Eyam Museum ensures that this episode of history will not be forgotten.

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About Accusing Mr. Darcy

Could Fitzwilliam Darcy harbour a shocking, sinister secret?

Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet count themselves among the many guests of the Kendall family, whose estate lies amidst the picturesque hills, gorges, and rocky slopes of the Peak District in Derbyshire. Elizabeth’s cousin Rose Kendall believes her dashing brother-in-law, Captain James Kendall, is Elizabeth’s ideal match. Rose’s husband, Nicholas, hopes his good friend Darcy—a rich, proud, and taciturn gentleman with a spotless reputation—will fancy one of the other eligible lady guests.

News of a brutal killing at a neighbouring estate sends a wave of shock through the genial group of friends and family. When one of the Kendalls’ guests is attacked, all of the gentlemen become suspects, but the former Bow Street runner tasked with investigating the crime finds the evidence against Mr. Darcy particularly compelling.

In this romantic mystery, the beloved couple from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice cross paths with a ruthless killer. When faced with dire warnings against Mr. Darcy, will Elizabeth heed them or follow the dictates of her heart?

Buy: Amazon US | Amazon UK

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About the Author

Kelly Miller

Kelly Miller is a native Californian and Anglophile, who made her first visit to England in 2019. When not pondering a plot point or a turn of phrase, she can be found playing the piano (although like Elizabeth Bennet, she is errant when it comes to practicing), singing, and walking her dogs. Kelly Miller resides in Silicon Valley with her husband, daughter, and their many pets.

Accusing Mr. Darcy is her third novel published by Meryton Press. Her previous books are: Death Takes a Holiday at Pemberley, a Pride and Prejudice Regency romantic sequel with a touch of fantasy; and Mr. Darcy’s Perfect Match, a Pride and Prejudice Regency romantic variation.

Kelly’s blog page is found at www.kellymiller.merytonpress.com, her email address is kellyrei007@hotmail.com, her Twitter handle is @kellyrei007, and she is on Facebook: www.facebook.Author.Kelly.Miller.

Connect with Kelly: Amazon Author Page | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Blog

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Giveaway

Meryton Press is generously offering a giveaway of 8 ebook copies of Accusing Mr. Darcy as part of the blog tour. You must enter through this Rafflecopter link. Good luck!

Thank you, Kelly, for being my guest today, and congratulations on your new book!