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!

     

See us on TV this Autumn & Winter

See us on TV this Autumn & Winter

Newsflash!

The Christmas special will be aired on S4C on 28th December at 7pm, repeated on 31st at 2.15pm. The next 6 episodes of the series then kick off on 12th January 2011 at 8.25pm. See Tudur trying his hand at cutting down his own tree and dragging it to the house, whilst Bethan makes decorations and helps chef Padrig Jones with the traditional roast dinner and the huge 10lb Christmas pudding!

Bethan Gwanas & Tudur Owen

S4C’s new programme on Victorian household management, Byw yn ôl y Llyfr (Living by the Book) kicks off on Wed 15th September. This 12 part series has been filmed largely at The Judge’s Lodging and in the area. Staff at the museum have had a wonderful time through the year welcoming the film crew and presenters  – comedian Tudur Owen and writer/presenter Bethan Gwanas – to the building.

The series is based on a Welsh language Victorian self-help manual – Llyfr Pawb ar Bob Peth (“Everyone’s Book on Everything“) published around 1870 and follows Bethan & Tudur as they don period clothing and  try to follow the book’s advice on all manner of things, ranging from DIY to social etiquette, learning about the values of Victorian society in the process. We really want to spread the word, as it truly looks like a series not only to inform you but have you crying with laughter. Just the site of Bethan sniffing our garden soil in full costume to cure TB really was funny recently!

To find out a bit more about what has been going on,  see S4C’s own press release here and look at our original news item, involving flaming nighties and pigs’ ears here

What’s coming up:  Episode 2

For those who do not get S4C or are not used to watching it, you can get subtitles and if you can’t pick up the channel on your television, it is available to watch live or on ‘catch up’ through the S4C website.  So there is no excuse not to join in the fun!

S4C have been so pleased with how the series is looking that they have just commissioned a Christmas special, to be filmed at the museum in October  – and yes, that does mean we are getting our huge Christmas tree up rather early this year!

…and if you look out you may even spot our very own Museum Assistant, Dave Frazer, who appears as an extra several times!

 

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