A rare flag flown from a polar sledge used to hunt for survivors of Captain Sir John Franklin’s doomed expedition has been saved for the nation thanks to a campaign backed by Michael Palin and Dan Snow. The National Museum of the Royal Navy (NMRN) launched a last-ditch campaign to raise the £120,000 needed to stop the Kellet sledge flag from passing into the hands of an … [Read more...] about Sledge flag used during 19th-century polar search saved for nation
Victorian Era History Articles
First direct evidence of harrowing lives of ‘pauper apprentices’ uncovered
Scientists have uncovered the first direct evidence of the harrowing lives of children known as “pauper apprentices” who were forced into labour during industrialisation in England. A team of experts analysed the skeletal remains of more than 150 individuals from a rural churchyard cemetery in the village of Fewston, North Yorkshire. Most of the remains belonged to young … [Read more...] about First direct evidence of harrowing lives of ‘pauper apprentices’ uncovered
New research into clothing patents reveals hidden history of women’s sport
A hidden history of women’s sports has been uncovered by new research into thousands of historic clothing patents stretching back over 200 years. The research shines a light on innovators and inventive clothing that helped women defy political and societal restrictions barring their access to living active and sporting lives. As part of the project, a selection of active … [Read more...] about New research into clothing patents reveals hidden history of women’s sport
Victorian era love letters sent by former PM’s parents published online
A selection of Victorian love letters written by the parents of a former prime minister are being published online for Valentine’s Day. The letters were written in 1843 by James Maitland Balfour, then MP for Haddington, and his bride-to-be, Lady Blanche Cecil, the daughter of a prominent nobleman, the Marquess of Salisbury. Their eldest son, Arthur, would go on to be … [Read more...] about Victorian era love letters sent by former PM’s parents published online
Two paintings by Queen Victoria to go under hammer
Two original paintings by Queen Victoria found in a Surrey cottage are set to go under the hammer. The pieces, which both depict colorful flowers, are believed to date back to the second half of the 19th century and were bought by a private collector in 1945, when items from Osborne House, the monarch’s holiday home in the Isle of Wight, were auctioned. They were found in … [Read more...] about Two paintings by Queen Victoria to go under hammer
Skeleton found on north Cornish coast may be 18th century shipwrecked sailor
The remains of a human skeleton discovered on a footpath on the north Cornish coast may have belonged to a shipwrecked sailor from the 18th or 19th centuries. The discovery at Trevone and overlooking Newtrain Bay, near Padstow, was made by a member of the public following erosion. Police and forensic experts attended the scene and established the remains were historic, … [Read more...] about Skeleton found on north Cornish coast may be 18th century shipwrecked sailor
Whitby Abbey illuminated with bats to mark 125 years of Dracula novel
A British landmark is being illuminated with a projection of bats to mark the 125th anniversary of Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula. English Heritage is lighting up Whitby Abbey, associated with the gothic horror, as it hosts Halloween events across the country. The abbey is also home to bats, a protected species which English Heritage works to preserve at its sites. Irish … [Read more...] about Whitby Abbey illuminated with bats to mark 125 years of Dracula novel
Ten Interest Facts about King William IV
The last of the Hanoverian monarchs, King William IV, not only marked the end of one dynasty but he helped to pave the way for the next. Taking over from his brother, King George IV, his reign oversaw a number of great reforms that helped lift up the impoverished. He had a number of interesting facts to come out of his life and his time on the throne that we will share with … [Read more...] about Ten Interest Facts about King William IV
Ten Interesting Facts about Queen Victoria
Until Queen Elizabeth II passed her in 2015, Queen Victoria had been the longest-reigning monarch in Britain’s history. Much like her descendent, Victoria took the throne as a young woman and reigned into another century. During her rule, Victoria oversaw Britain becoming a modern empire that stretched across the globe and cemented itself as a major world power. Naturally, … [Read more...] about Ten Interesting Facts about Queen Victoria
Victorian Britain: Ten Most Important Events in British History of the 1880s
Moving towards the end of the 19th Century, the 1880s was a period of reform in the rights of people and local communities. Politics and legislation certainly helped to shape the period from 1881 to 1890, but these were not the only important events. New inventions helped to expand travel while the British Empire solidified itself prior to the oncoming century. We have … [Read more...] about Victorian Britain: Ten Most Important Events in British History of the 1880s
Ten Interesting Facts about King George IV
The fourth of the Hanoverian kings and also the fourth George in the dynasty, George is known for his Regency Period (the era in history when he served as regent in place of his mentally-ill father) and for his extravagant lifestyle. From Prince Regent to King of a growing British Empire, George IV’s reign generated pretty interesting facts, though mostly for scandalous … [Read more...] about Ten Interesting Facts about King George IV
‘Rare’ Joseph Wright of Derby self-portrait ‘saved for the nation’
A “remarkable” self-portrait by world-renowned artist Joseph Wright of Derby has been acquired in a “triumph” for the world’s largest collection of his work, having been privately owned for 250 years. The artwork, titled Self-Portrait At The Age of About Forty, has been acquired by Derby Museums and will go on public display in the Joseph Wright Gallery from May 17. It is … [Read more...] about ‘Rare’ Joseph Wright of Derby self-portrait ‘saved for the nation’
Florence Nightingale letter on display in Chichester after spending 140 years in scrapbook
An original letter by Florence Nightingale in which she writes of her poor health following her return from the Crimean War has gone on display for the first time. The handwritten note by the nursing pioneer from 1872 is being put on show by the University of Chichester to mark International Nursing Day on Thursday, May 12. In the letter, which was found in near-pristine … [Read more...] about Florence Nightingale letter on display in Chichester after spending 140 years in scrapbook
Mystery solved: Victorian orphan who asked not to be forgotten was US hero
A Victorian orphanage choirboy, who hid a letter in a church pew asking not to be forgotten, went on to become a US naval hero, it has been revealed. Written in 1897 by 13-year-old William Elliott, the note was recently found by workmen renovating Sunderland’s former Holy Trinity Church. The choirboy, whose time at the nearby Sunderland Orphanage Asylum was drawing to an end, … [Read more...] about Mystery solved: Victorian orphan who asked not to be forgotten was US hero
Victorian Britain: Ten Important Events of the 1890s
As the Victorian period began to come to a close, the United Kingdom prepared itself for the 20th Century by becoming more progressive, increasing its influence, and seeing the publication of some of its greatest literary works. It also celebrated a milestone for the first time in its history when Queen Victoria reached the 60th year of her reign. Britain was at the cusp of a … [Read more...] about Victorian Britain: Ten Important Events of the 1890s
Choirboy’s hidden note found in church pew 125 years on
A hidden message from an orphanage choirboy pleading not to be forgotten has been found after it lay undisturbed in a church pew for 125 years. The letter by 13-year-old William Elliott was written on August 11 1897 on the back of a chorister’s order of service at Sunderland Parish Church. Work was carried out during lockdown to restore the Grade I Georgian listed … [Read more...] about Choirboy’s hidden note found in church pew 125 years on
Rescued Victorian-era rainfall data rewrites UK weather records
Millions of archived rainfall records dating back nearly 200 years which were digitized by volunteers during the pandemic have broken UK weather records and provided researchers with decades more data on weather trends. The University of Reading’s Rainfall Rescue project involved the transcription of 130 years worth of handwritten rainfall records – more than five million … [Read more...] about Rescued Victorian-era rainfall data rewrites UK weather records
Victorian Britain: Ten Most Important Events of the 1870s
The 1870s proved to be yet another transformational time for the United Kingdom. Wars raged on nearly every continent, while at home, Britain experienced social and economic advancement. From 1871 to 1880, the UK saw everything from new sports championships to an improvement in the quality of life for children. To document the ten most important events of the decade, we have … [Read more...] about Victorian Britain: Ten Most Important Events of the 1870s
Queen Victoria’s lost Japanese screen paintings rediscovered in Royal Collection
A pair of lost Japanese folding screen paintings sent to Queen Victoria in 1860 as part of a lavish diplomatic gift have been rediscovered in the Royal Collection. The screens, which were thought not to have survived, will go on public display next month for the first time since they arrived more than a century and a half ago. Extensive conservation work since they were … [Read more...] about Queen Victoria’s lost Japanese screen paintings rediscovered in Royal Collection
Victorian Britain: Ten Important Events in British History of the 1860s
The 1860s moved the United Kingdom closer to the country that we recognize today. From 1861 to 1870, organizations formed that are household names, wars were fought that became the basis of classic films, and engineering marvels became an indelible part of our modern world. Each year of the decade saw a formative event in British history, and we have laid out each of them … [Read more...] about Victorian Britain: Ten Important Events in British History of the 1860s
Victorian Britain: Ten Most Important Events of the 1850s
As the British Empire continued to expand its power and influence over the globe, the greatness of Britain was on exhibit at home. The decade from 1851 to 1860 saw exploration and war abroad while new publications, monuments, and institutions were established domestically. It was a decade in which the United Kingdom came into its own as a world power and it let everyone else … [Read more...] about Victorian Britain: Ten Most Important Events of the 1850s
Victorian Britain: Ten Important Events of the 1840s
The first full decade of the Victorian Era, the 1840s, saw a wave of changes that would shake the United Kingdom and the British Empire forever. From new governments at home to new territory abroad, Britain as we know it was fundamentally altered every year. New stories and doctrines found their ways to print, not only shaping the country but the rest of the world. Truly, 1841 … [Read more...] about Victorian Britain: Ten Important Events of the 1840s
Brit History: Ten Most Important Events in British History of the 1830s – Victorian Era Begins
The 1830s saw the beginning of one of the most important periods of British history—the Victorian era. While the period of Queen Victoria’s reign would certainly see the greatest expansion of the British Empire since Queen Elizabeth I, there were also plenty of things that happened before Victoria came to power. From election reform to the abolition of slavery, much progress … [Read more...] about Brit History: Ten Most Important Events in British History of the 1830s – Victorian Era Begins
19th Century Britain: Ten of the Most Important Events of the 1820s
New King, new decade. With King George IV coming into power in 1820, 1821 saw the start of a new era for both the Crown and for the United Kingdom. The period from 1821 to 1830 would see a number of great advances for Britain, including new knowledge of language and history, new sweets for the sweet, and new technology to help us capture those special moments. With so many … [Read more...] about 19th Century Britain: Ten of the Most Important Events of the 1820s
Historic Birnbeck Pier in Somerset to be renovated and returned to use for the RNLI
After years of decline, a historic Victorian pier is to be renovated and will have a new owner. The RNLI is returning to Weston-super-Mare’s Birnbeck Pier as part of a deal with North Somerset Council to safeguard the landmark’s future. Owner CNM Estates has agreed to sell the derelict Grade II listed-pier to the council, and renovation work will be carried out to transform … [Read more...] about Historic Birnbeck Pier in Somerset to be renovated and returned to use for the RNLI
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