Strange But True

Strange But True

Inexpressibles
The name given to the tight trousers worn by some Regency gentlemen, such as the notorious Beau Brummell and his ‘dandy’ followers, as they showed off their leg muscles.
What did Victoria do first
after her coronation in 1837? Have a parliamentary meeting? Have tea with all the royal dignitaries? No – she gave her dog, Dash, a bath.
Now that’s what we call a cake!
Victoria and Albert’s wedding cake was a colossal 9 feet wide and weighed 300 pounds.
Victorian ladies’ knickers had no middle
Once they got all those big dresses on, they couldn’t reach their knickers to pull them down, so they could stand over a potty to wee with these on instead.
Would you wee in your dining room?
Victorian gentlemen did! Some dining rooms (like ours) had a special cupboard to house a chamber pot so all the gentlemen could go for a wee without leaving the table (once the ladies had left the room, of course!).
The last ducking stool to be used in England
(in 1809) can still be seen not far from us in the Priory Church, Leominster, Herefordshire. It’s huge.

Handy Hints

Handy Hints

An insect trap
Scoop out the inside of a turnip, scallop the edges, and place it downward in the earth. The insects will pass into it as a place of retreat through the holes, and the cucumbers, squashes, melons etc., may soon be clear of them. 1852

As with all our historical handy hints, this is a real tip from a Victorian book. We cannot say that it’ll work and it’s up to you if you want to try!
Anti-magnetic properties of the onion
The magnetic power of a compass needle, will be entirely discharged or changed by being touched with the juice of an onion.

As with all our historical handy hints, this is a real tip from a Victorian book. We cannot say that it’ll work and it’s up to you if you want to try!
To clean gilt buckles, chains &c.
Dip a soft brush in water, rub a little soap on it, and brush the article for a minute or two, then wash it clean, wipe it, and place it near the fire till dry, then brush it with burnt bread finely powdered. 1823

As with all our historical handy hints, this is a real tip from a Victorian book. We cannot say that it’ll work and it’s up to you if you want to try!
To remove grease from books
Lay upon the spoon a little magnesium or powdered chalk, and under it the same; set on it a warm flat iron, and as soon as the grease is melted, it will be all absorbed, and leave the paper clean. 1852

As with all our historical handy hints, this is a real tip from a Victorian book. We cannot say that it’ll work and it’s up to you if you want to try!
Antidote against mice
Gather wild mint, put it where you wish to keep them out, and they will not trouble you. 1852

As with all our historical handy hints, this is a real tip from a Victorian book. We cannot say that it’ll work and it’s up to you if you want to try!
Keeping your kettle clean
To prevent teakettles coating with lime – put the shell of an oyster in the teakettle and the lime will adhere to it, instead of coating the sides. 1852
As with all our historical handy hints, this is a real tip from a Victorian book. We cannot say that it’ll work and it’s up to you if you want to try!

mystery objects

mystery objects

Cymraeg

What does it do?

Looking at objects is a great way to think about how people lived in the past. You can think not only about how objects were used, but who used them and made them, how they were made and used and how they might be like things you have in your own home.

There are a variety of activities you can do with the objects we have to show you here. You may wish to start by guessing what the object was used for in a Victorian house. Each picture has another image as a clue to help you and if you really get stuck you can click to find out the answer. Some of the objects you might find easy to work out, but others may be a bit tougher – and sometimes the clues could be even harder to work out!

You may wish to look at each picture and think through some questions about it, such as those suggested below.

Perhaps you could draw the objects for yourself and write down your thoughts on them. You could also print out both the pictures and their picture clues and attempt to put them into pairs.

Questions you might like to think about:

What is it made of?

Is it composed of more than one substance?

What sort of person made it? And how did they do it? (hand-made, in a mould, by a machine?)

Is it decorated? How? Why?

Do you think it would cost a lot for a Victorian to buy?

Does anything on it move?

Do you think it would be easy or hard to use?

What would you use in your house to do the same job?

Who would use it in Victorian times?

And of course… what is it?

Education