The Language of Flowers with Sarah Bedford

This online talk is part of the Jane Austen Festival.

Before Floriography became a Victorian craze, Jane Austen was already using botanical codes to define her heroines. Shifting from the cold, scientific botany of the 1700s to the emotional symbolism of the Romantic movement, this talk reveals how flowers spoke when words could not. Discover why Elizabeth Bennet’s wild gardens were a social rebellion and how Darcy’s violets signalled a hidden modesty. From the Austen family’s crop-tracking to the secret codes of Regency bouquets, join Sarah Bedford to discover the tiny, floral meanings Austen hid in plain sight. Whether you are a gardener, a scholar, or a romantic at heart, you will leave with a new floral lens through which to read your favourite novels.

Please note that the ticket you are purchasing allows you to watch this talk live & online via the BRLSI website at the time stated only (all times are UK times). The talk will not be recorded or available to watch at a future time.

In-person tickets for the talk are on sale via the Jane Austen Festival website. 

Instructions on how to watch online will be detailed on your ticket confirmation email; please read them carefully as you will need to log in to the BRLSI website again at the time of the talk (we do not send out Zoom codes). If you have any queries about watching online, contact BRLSI on reception@brlsi.org.

All other queries can be directed to the Jane Austen Festival.

PostScript Books are returning as sponsors of the Jane Austen Festival for 2026, as well as being the official Festival bookseller for the first time! Postscript have curated lists of suggested books… perfect for all those who just can’t wait for September to start learning about the topics we’ll be covering throughout the Jane Austen Festival.

Follow this link to be taken to the PostScript Books website, where you can find the themed book collections they have put together for each talk.