The Battle of Waterloo was the final battle in the Napoleonic wars, fought in Waterloo, France, in 1815, between British forces and Napoleon. The defeat at Waterloo sent Napoleon into exile for the remainder of his life and effectively began an era of British world dominance. Mr. Parker's attention to Waterloo as the "thing now" suggests that the story is taking place shortly after the victory at Waterloo and British society continues to feel the triumph of Britain over France.

Video Recap: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDZGL1xsqzs https://www.history.com/topics/british-history/battle-of-waterloo#section_5

The Battle of Trafalgar was a naval battle between Great Britain and the combined forces of France and Spain in 1805. The battle took place off the coast of Spain during the height of the Napoleonic wars and concluded shortly prior to Austen's writing of Sanditon.

Video Recap of War: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRtUrvmok-c

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Trafalgar

The bathing machine was a roofed and walled wooden cart, set along the beaches for people to change out of their day attire into their swimsuits. The bathing machine served as part of the beach etiquette and women were especially expected to use the bathing machine for changing. It appears inappropriate to show up to the beach already wearing one's swimsuit.

https://janeaustensworld.wordpress.com/2009/08/10/benjamin-beale-bathing-machines/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bathing_machine

Chapter #2 Synopsis:

The Parkers stayed a fortnight. The Heywood’s were charming and attentive hosts. Mr. Parker reveals his story and designs for Sanditon. He is deemed an enthusiastic on the subject and can talk of little else. Until a few years ago it had been a small unpretentious fishing village. With his partner he hoped to make it into a fashionable seaside resort. He was 35, happily married with 4 children of easy but not large fortune who inherited “property which two or three generations had been holding and accumulating before him.” He had 2 brothers and 2 sisters all single and independent by collateral inheritance. He was seeking a medical man for Sanditon and was convinced it would promote the rise and prosperity of the place. His own 2 sisters are invalids. Mr. Parker was amiable, but with more imagination than judgment. Mrs. Parker was sweet-tempered but could not check her husband’s enthusiasm. Sandition was his second wife, his hobbyhorse. He wanted them all to visit for no one is healthy unless they spend at least six week by the sea. He could not convince Mr. and Mrs. Heywood to visit. They never leave home, but agree that their daughter Charlotte age 22 may return with them to Sanditon.

https://austenprose.com/sanditon-plot-summary-by-chapter/sanditon-plot-summary-chapters-1-4/

Chapter #1 Synopsis:

While this first chapter has served its purpose of establishing health as an important theme, it is not a typical opening Austen chapter. Firstly, the chapter opens with travelers far from their home rather than a description of a family and their village estate. Secondly, the chapter opens with injury. Thirdly, Austen novels all involve a marriage plot and marriage is brought up immediately. However, in this opening chapter it is not clear which young eligible lady is the main character who will eventually find love. This chapter feels like a first draft, likely because it is.

https://austenprose.com/sanditon-plot-summary-by-chapter/sanditon-plot-summary-chapters-1-4/

Chapter #3 Synopsis:

The Parker family travels back to Sanditon along with Charlotte Heywood. Lady Denham is introduced as the great lady of Sanditon. Lady Denham has a history of two marriages and immense wealth, she married her first husband, Mr. Hollis, for his money. She married her second husband, Mr. Denham, for his title. Lady Denhma does not have any children, but is accompanied by a cousin, Clara Brereton. Clara as well as Lady Denham's nephew, Sir Edward Denham, are vying for the inheritance of her fortune.

https://austenprose.com/sanditon-plot-summary-by-chapter/sanditon-plot-summary-chapters-1-4/

Phrase meaning a number of different situations, reasons, and influences making an issue complicated and difficult to understand. https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/wheels-within-wheels

Leeches have been used in medicine as a means of breaking up blood clots and increasing circulation. The use of Leeches here would serve to attempt to increase brain blood flow in order to relieve Susan's headaches. https://www.healthline.com/health/what-is-leech-therapy

Intermittent fits of irritation or regurgitation of bile fluids located in the gallbladder. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002237.htm

A shop specializing in the production and sale of women's hats. https://www.dictionary.com/browse/milliner

Colored footwear became popular in the 1800s as a means of complimenting plain white dresses. An especially common shoe was the blue shoe, a blue boot seen as best complimenting a white dress. https://janeaustensworld.wordpress.com/2011/03/09/regency-fashion-ladies-half-boots/

A leather, laced up boot, that became popular for women to wear outside. Geared for longer walks and durability, although the leather was usually very thin.

https://janeaustensworld.wordpress.com/2011/03/09/regency-fashion-ladies-half-boots/