During the Regency there was an important decision between a commoner and a person who is common born.
Everyone who was not a peer, peeress, or royal was a commoner. That includes the sons and daughters of peers. Even that gentleman with a courtesy title is a commoner. This distinction is important. Peers and peeresses had several privileges. They could not be thrown into debtor’s prison. If brought up on allegations of a crime or in a civil suit (even divorce) the trial had to take place in the House of Lords.
A person that was common born was not part of the gentry. In other words, the person was of a lower social class. Another way of putting it is that the person is not gently born.
#RegencyTrivia #HistoricalRomance #Regency
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Ella Quinn ~ Author 
Reblogged this on Dog Eared Pages and commented:
Just Thought I’d share!
Finally, a good explanation of this distinction. I remember (this was awhile back) when Prince Charles chose Lady Diana Spencer to be his wife. They would say–oh! the Prince of Wales is marrying a commoner.
Now please explain morganatic marriage. Could a duke have a morganatic marriage during the Regency?
Thank you, Angelyn! I’ll have to think about the morganatic marriage.