In episode 54 of the Vlog, Adele challenges Rochester’s knowledge and asks him if he knows the story in Icelandic folklore of the 13 centaurs and two trolls who went around at Christmastime and devoured bad or misbehaving children. I was amazed to find this this folk tale does exist although Adele got some of the facts confused.

In the Vlog, The Autobiography of Jane Eyre, Rochester attributes Bertha's mental illness to post-partum depression when he is speaking to Jane after she finds out about the existence of Bertha. This is a believable diagnosis and represents an accurate modernization of the story in this area. Postpartum depression is very different than what's called "baby blues". The signs and symptoms are more intense and last longer, and may eventually interfere with the woman's ability to care for your baby and handle other daily tasks.

On page 436 of Gemma Hardy, Gemma relates to Hallie how she remembered the red-brown kitchen linoleum in her childhood home. I also grew up with linoleum floors and discovered that the product was invented in England and had a very strong Scottish connection.

Gemma Hardy p. 297

Gemma refers to this clock when she is waiting for Mr. White at the jewelry shop in Kirkwall, wanting to pawn her watch for much needed funds. She glances at a wall in the shop and sees a variety of clocks on the wall, spurring her memory of the one at St. Magnus cathedral.

The St. Magnus cathedral clock in Kirkwall was built during the First World War in Edinburgh by James Ritchie and Son, makers of the famous Floral Clock in Princes Street Gardens. It was eventually transported to Orkney and installed in 1919, just as the conflict ended.