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!

     

Lawrence of Arabia charity shows support

Lawrence of Arabia charity shows support

PRESS RELEASE 9th May 2013

The Judge’s Lodging in Presteigne has received a wonderful surprise. The Seven Pillars or Wisdom charitable trust has shown its support for the work of the museum in preserving the building and its past in a very complimentary letter and donation towards the museum’s work of £500.  

The charitable trust was set upon the death of T E Lawrence, to distribute the royalties received from his famous writings.  Born in 1888 in North Wales, Lawrence worked as a British intelligence officer during WWI and was instrumental in mobilising the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Turks in 1917-18, earning him the title by which he is often best known, Lawrence of Arabia. 

Seven Pillars of Wisdom was his autobiographical account of his experiences.   It was originally published in a small run for a subscription-only audience in 1926, but on Lawrence’s untimely death in a motorcycle accident in 1935, the book was made widely available. His brother Arnold set up a Trust to distribute the royalties from the book to good works in his brother’s name. And that is what the Seven Pillars of Wisdom Trust still does. True to its founding principles, it awards grants for archaeological, environmental and other academic projects that the Trustees feel worthy.

 The letter to The Judge’s Lodging admits that Trustees had anonymously visited last year and were so impressed by the building, it’s work and the friendliness of its staff that they felt they wanted to show their support for its future.  Gaby Rivers, The Judge’s Lodging’s Curator says ‘We are very moved by their support of us. Their kindness towards our work and comments about our friendliness are very touching. We are proud to have received a donation from an organisation associated with such a great man.’

 

Find out more about T E Lawrence here

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