Thanks to the preeminent Shonda Rhimes, when you hear the words “scandal sheets,” your mind probably goes to Bridgerton. Lady Whistledown, the author of the eponymous gossip sheet in the series, uncovered all the secrets and scandals of Regency London. The Ton followed her every word religiously and prayed they wouldn’t be the next subject. While Bridgerton is an excellent example of gossip columns in historical romance novels, it's actually quite a popular plot element—and for good reason. Gossip columns emerged at the end of the 17th century and took off like wildfire. Their legacy still survives today. So who was writing these salacious stories? And more importantly, who was featured?

The Golden Age of Gossip

The popularity of the written word—especially words that cut down your social rivals—emerged through a confluence of factors. First, the literacy rate rose quickly during the Georgian period. It was the first time that more men could read than could not. While women’s literacy was also on the rise, it was not universally celebrated. As Penelope Corfield puts it in her book The Georgians:

“Concerns were also expressed that the tender female brains would be taxed by rigorous schooling, and that young women in particular would be distracted from their maternal duties by reading novels.”

Too true, Penelope. Too true. Well, let’s see what else my tender little brain can come up with…

With the rise of literacy came a demand for news. The expansion of print culture and its impact on society in the 18th century really can’t be overstated. Some scholars argue that the Georgian period saw the publication of the first English novel. Others argue that it was actually published in 1684: Love Letters Between a Nobleman and His Sister by Aphra Behn (a topic for another newsletter). What is certain is that this era saw the emergence of the mass-market book, the predecessor of our beloved mass-market paperback, which catered to the cheaper end of the market.

Another factor was the lapsing of the Licensing Acts in 1695—specifically, the Licensing of the Press Act passed in 1662, which required all books and newspapers to be approved by official censors before publication and restricted the ownership of printing presses. Parliament chose not to renew it. All of a sudden, anyone with the capital could create a magazine or pamphlet. This seismic shift in media is perhaps only matched by the rise of modern social media platforms, as both democratized distribution.

So in conclusion: people could print. People could read. Risqué reportage was inevitable.

Crim. Con. Coverage

It sounds like true crime—and in a way, it was. But Crim. Con. is short for criminal conversation, the polite legal term for adultery. “Conversation” here is a euphemism for sexual acts, and “criminal” because they were extra-marital. When a spouse (usually a husband) sued his partner’s lover for damages, the whole affair was dragged into court and straight onto the pages of the press. Public trials, sordid testimony, and steamy insinuations? It’s been called soft-core porn of the Georgian era. By me… and also reputable scholars.

I’m not one to air anyone’s dirty laundry, but… a real-life story might provide better clarity. So get this:

In 1769, the papers were maliciously excited to report on none other than the Prime Minister's sordid affairs. Augustus Henry Fitzroy, 3rd Duke of Grafton, previously a promising young politician, had been openly living with his mistress as man and wife since 1764. It did not seem that the duchess was particularly bothered, however, as she became pregnant with her lover’s child in 1768. The resulting divorce played out very publicly despite the couple's best efforts, with servants offering in-depth testimony. It did no favors to Grafton’s political career. As the BBC helpfully notes, he was the last prime minister to divorce and remarry while in office—until Boris Johnson.1

Talking of the Ton

Another popular topic for the gossip columns was the goings-on of the Ton—a fascination many of us historical romance readers share. They were, after all, in some ways the modern celebrities. However, celebrity and popularity do not always go hand in hand. Much of the gossip highlighted the worst behavior of the highest class. The hypocrisy of the nobles was often on display. However, not all scandals stemmed from moral failings…some arose from society’s narrow view of who was deemed worthy of elevated rank.

A transgression of the highest order shook society in 1771, when the King’s brother, Henry, Duke of Cumberland, married Anne Horton, a widowed commoner in secret. The gossip columns were ruthless, publishing intimate details about Horton’s father, dissecting her appearance, and speculating about their love affair. Horton was a renowned beauty, but the ever bitchy Horace Walpole, notorious gossip and politician, deemed her just “pretty”. Their relationship dominated the headlines and resulted in their removal from court. However, I’m happy to report that the couple lived happily on Pall-Mall until the Duke’s death in 1790.2

The Real Lady Whistledown

So who were these men and women behind the scenes? The first to kick off their column was Richard Steele, launching The Tatler in 1709. (The modern-day Tatler is a reincarnation rather than a continuation of the original.) Steele wrote under the first-person persona of Isaac Bickerstaff, an established fictitious writer (sounds like an oxymoron, I know). He published news and gossip that he “overheard,” which was sometimes true and sometimes fabricated.

Inspired by The Tatler, an unidentified author writing under the pseudonym Mrs. Crackenthorpe launched The Female Tatler. No points for originality. The Female Tatler was wildly popular. Mrs. Crackenthorpe is often deemed the real Lady Whistledown. She used her biting wit to mock much of the Ton, though she made use of the em dash to avoid direct libel charges a.k.a. Lady D—.

There were numerous others, some lasting less than a year and others transforming into modern periodicals still on the shelves today. One of the last “great” scandal mongers was Theodore Hook, who wrote his biting pro-Tory magazine, John Bull. You might remember him from The Silver Forked Tongue.

You may be surprised to learn how many contemporary publications have roots in Georgian gossip columns—The Telegraph, The Times, The Observer, among many others.

If you're craving some gossip, and want something more elevated than the Daily Mail, here are a few recommendations:

The Bridgerton Series by Julia Quinn (obviously)

In Regency London's high society, no secret is safe from the pen of Lady Whistledown, the anonymous gossip columnist whose missives drive marriages, ruin reputations, and stir delicious drama. The Bridgertons may be the ton’s most eligible family, but navigating love under the public gaze proves a challenge. With each romance, Lady Whistledown chronicles every misstep—whether matchmaking, misbehavior, or scandalous ballroom encounters.

Scandal & Scoundrels Series by Sarah MacLean

Inspired by Regency-era scandal sheets, this series opens each book with a tabloid-style exposé—naming names and sparing no blushes. Fallen women, disgraced dukes, and revenge plots unfold under the ton’s relentless gaze, where reputations are destroyed with a single headline. The characters must not only win love, but also outwit the ever-watchful press.

The Wicked Quills of London Series by Eva Leigh

In this trio of romances, the heroines are writers—novelists, editors, and pamphleteers—who know exactly how much power the printed word holds. From salacious serials to politically charged critiques, gossip and ink flow freely through London’s literary underground. When love sparks between a writer and her subject, scandal is just one chapter away.

Pleasure for Pleasure by Eloisa James

Nicknamed “The Scottish Sausage” by a vicious gossip column, Josie Essex finds herself the target of cruel public ridicule before she’s even debuted. But with sharp wit and an even sharper wardrobe, she reclaims her narrative—and her desirability. Eloisa James delivers a biting critique of beauty standards and the ton’s obsession with scandal.

RomCo Note: There’s also a brilliant storyline about a salacious “memoir”

Never Judge a Lady by her Cover by Sarah MacLean

Lady Georgiana carries a scandalous past and a secret identity—but it's Duncan West, the savvy journalist, who holds the pen that could destroy her. As she balances her role as both disgraced aristocrat and underworld queen, Georgiana must outmaneuver the one man who sees too much and asks too many questions. All the while, she's rebuilding her place in society—one carefully crafted article at a time.