How far can a local place be in writing?

Question

Just wondering, would it make sense to say a local rectory if I took over an our to walk to? Or is it simpler to just say rectory?

"One evening, not long ago, she even accompanied him to a rectory to request for the minister’s prayers"

"They walked for over an hour, and when they finally reached her supposed home, he was suddenly alert to the reality of his situation. This was the abandoned rectory which he visited with his beloved."

Philip · Accepted Answer

It's a question of function, I think. If this is the rectory that goes with the local parish, it would be local. Otherwise, it could be nearby or neighboring.

Mister Micawber · Answer

sailsofoblivion, would it make sense to say a local rectory if I took over an our to walk to?

It depends upon the distribution of rectories. If it is one of the nearest ones, 'local' is fine.

sailsofoblivionOr is it simpler to just say rectory? One evening, not long ago, she even accompanied him to a rectory to request the minister’s prayers

This sounds like there could be three or four rectories per city block.

Sailsofoblivion · Answer

Mister Micawber sailsofoblivion, would it make sense to say a local rectory if I took over an our to walk to?It depends upon the distribution of rectories. If it is one of the nearest ones, 'local' is fine.sailsofoblivionOr is it simpler to just say rectory? One evening, not long ago, she even accompanied him to a rectory to request the minister’s prayersThis sounds like there could be three or four rectories per city block.

That's the idea I was going for, so I'm assuming it's OK as long as it's nearby? As in, within an hour's work?

Mister Micawber · Answer

sailsofoblivion I'm assuming it's OK as long as it's nearby? As in, within an hour's walk?

Seems fine to me.

Sailsofoblivion · Answer

I was also wondering, how accurate would you as a reader expect historical fiction to be? This particular story is set in 19th century Edinburgh, and I know there were a lot of rectorys around in the city at that point, but for the sake of the story, it makes more sense to imply that they existed outwith the city... Thanks again! <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' alt='Emotion: smile'/>

Mister Micawber · Answer

rectories

sailsofoblivionhow accurate would you as a reader expect historical fiction to be?

Personally expect? I have no expectations; the range is great. Personally hope for—99%.

Blue Jay · Answer

sailsofoblivionI was also wondering, how accurate would you as a reader expect historical fiction to be?

The more accurate the better! If you think the reader might notice an inconsistency, you should probably try to find a way to fix it.
Enjoying a story generally requires maintaining a suspension of disbelief. One thing that always bugs me is finding something that makes me think "That's not right!" or "That doesn't make sense!" or "There's no way that would happen!". It's especially annoying when it appears that the author couldn't be bothered to pay attention to the details, or didn't care to take the time to work out how to fit everything together in a believable way. A work of fiction is just that, fiction, but you want to try to avoid anything that will catch the eye of a moderately knowledgeable reader. You may not be able to entirely avoid the local historian who complains that your character couldn't have turned down Milton St. from Burton St. in 1886 because Milton St. only went as far as Gable St. until 1887. You don't want every other reader noticing that you got the year of Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee completely wrong.

Philip · Answer

To my knowledge, the only use of rectory is to designate the residence of a parish priest or minister. It would belong to a specific church. I can't speak to the number of rectories in any historical city, but I believe it would be dependent on the number of churches.

My experience is that a rectory belongs to a Catholic or Anglican church; the equivalents are a manse in the Presbyterian church and a parsonage in other denominations. In the US today, many churches have given up the practice of such residences, giving their clergy a housing allowance so they can buy their own homes.

My preference in casual reading is historical fiction. I expect enough historical accuracy to make the situation, plot and characters believable.

How far can a local place be in writing?

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