Victorian England
Queen Victoria’s Rule: 1837-1901
For much of the 20th century, the term Victorian, which literally describes things and events (roughly) in
the reign of Queen Victoria, conveyed connotations of "prudish," "repressed," and "old fashioned."
Although such associations have some basis in fact, they do not adequately indicate the nature of this
complex, paradoxical age that saw great expansion of wealth, power, and culture.
IMPERIALISM
In 1876 Victoria was declared Empress of India and the English Empire was constantly being expanded.
The prevailing attitude in Britain was that, for the following reasons, expansion of British control around
the globe was good for everyone:
One, England had an obligation to enlighten and civilize the 'less fortunate savages' of the
world (often referred to as the "White Man's Burden").
Second, they (as a chosen people) had a destiny to fulfil -- they were 'destined' to rule the
world.
Finally, they needed money, resources, labour, and new markets for expanding industry in
England.
CLASS STRUCTURE
Upper class – did not work, income came from inherited land and investments.
Aristocrats’ average annual allowances: £30,000
The aristocracy had a great deal of free time that was filled with social engagements.
They were expected to marry within their class, which made first cousins fair game.
Gentlemen (aristocratic men) would be educated at home by a governess or tutor until they
were old enough to attend Eton, Harrow, Rugby, Winchester, Westminster, Charterhouse, or a
small handful of lesser schools. The curriculum was heavily weighted towards the classics – the
languages and literature of Ancient Greece and Rome. After that, they would attend Oxford or
Cambridge.
Ladies (aristocratic women) took their education, almost entirely, at home. There were boarding
schools, but no University, and the studies were very different. She learned French, drawing,
dancing, music, and the use of globes. If the school, or the governess, was interested in teaching
any practical skills, she learned plain sewing as well as emb roidery, and accounts.
, Marriage: The accepted reasoning was that the career for ladies was
marriage. To get ready for courtship and marriage a girl was groomed like
a racehorse. In addition to being able to sing, play an instrument and
speak a little French or Italian, the qualities a young Victorian
gentlewoman needed, were to be innocent, virtuous, biddable, dutiful
and be ignorant of intellectual opinion. A gentlewoman ensured that the
home was a place of comfort for her husband and family from the
stresses of Industrial Britain.
Etiquette: A wealthy woman's day was governed by etiquette rules that
encumbered her with up to six wardrobe changes a day and the needs
varied over three seasons a year. A lady changed through a wide range of
clothing as occasion dictated.
A gentleman’s duty was to please his lady by following his own strict rules
of propriety.
Gentlemen belonged to social societies to occupy their time.
Middle class - men performed mental or "clean" work, paid monthly or annually
Salaries: Upper middle class (merchants, bankers, etc.) £10,000; Middle middle class (doctors,
lawyers, clerks) £300-800; Lower middleclass (head teachers, journalists, shopkeepers , etc.)
£150-300
The home was regarded as a haven from the busy
and chaotic public world of politics and business,
and from the grubby world of the factory. Those
who could afford to, created cosy domestic
interiors with plush fabrics, heavy curtains and
fussy furnishings which effectively cocooned the
inhabitants from the world outside. The middle-
class household contained concrete expressions of
domesticity in the form of servants, décor,
furnishings, entertainment and clothing.
The middle class female body was dressed to emphasize a woman’s separation from the world of
work.
Working class – men, women, and children who performed physical labour, paid daily or weekly wages.
Salaries: Labourers,
soldiers £25; Sailors and domestic staff £40-75; Skilled workers
(carpenters, typesetters, etc.) £75-100
Queen Victoria’s Rule: 1837-1901
For much of the 20th century, the term Victorian, which literally describes things and events (roughly) in
the reign of Queen Victoria, conveyed connotations of "prudish," "repressed," and "old fashioned."
Although such associations have some basis in fact, they do not adequately indicate the nature of this
complex, paradoxical age that saw great expansion of wealth, power, and culture.
IMPERIALISM
In 1876 Victoria was declared Empress of India and the English Empire was constantly being expanded.
The prevailing attitude in Britain was that, for the following reasons, expansion of British control around
the globe was good for everyone:
One, England had an obligation to enlighten and civilize the 'less fortunate savages' of the
world (often referred to as the "White Man's Burden").
Second, they (as a chosen people) had a destiny to fulfil -- they were 'destined' to rule the
world.
Finally, they needed money, resources, labour, and new markets for expanding industry in
England.
CLASS STRUCTURE
Upper class – did not work, income came from inherited land and investments.
Aristocrats’ average annual allowances: £30,000
The aristocracy had a great deal of free time that was filled with social engagements.
They were expected to marry within their class, which made first cousins fair game.
Gentlemen (aristocratic men) would be educated at home by a governess or tutor until they
were old enough to attend Eton, Harrow, Rugby, Winchester, Westminster, Charterhouse, or a
small handful of lesser schools. The curriculum was heavily weighted towards the classics – the
languages and literature of Ancient Greece and Rome. After that, they would attend Oxford or
Cambridge.
Ladies (aristocratic women) took their education, almost entirely, at home. There were boarding
schools, but no University, and the studies were very different. She learned French, drawing,
dancing, music, and the use of globes. If the school, or the governess, was interested in teaching
any practical skills, she learned plain sewing as well as emb roidery, and accounts.
, Marriage: The accepted reasoning was that the career for ladies was
marriage. To get ready for courtship and marriage a girl was groomed like
a racehorse. In addition to being able to sing, play an instrument and
speak a little French or Italian, the qualities a young Victorian
gentlewoman needed, were to be innocent, virtuous, biddable, dutiful
and be ignorant of intellectual opinion. A gentlewoman ensured that the
home was a place of comfort for her husband and family from the
stresses of Industrial Britain.
Etiquette: A wealthy woman's day was governed by etiquette rules that
encumbered her with up to six wardrobe changes a day and the needs
varied over three seasons a year. A lady changed through a wide range of
clothing as occasion dictated.
A gentleman’s duty was to please his lady by following his own strict rules
of propriety.
Gentlemen belonged to social societies to occupy their time.
Middle class - men performed mental or "clean" work, paid monthly or annually
Salaries: Upper middle class (merchants, bankers, etc.) £10,000; Middle middle class (doctors,
lawyers, clerks) £300-800; Lower middleclass (head teachers, journalists, shopkeepers , etc.)
£150-300
The home was regarded as a haven from the busy
and chaotic public world of politics and business,
and from the grubby world of the factory. Those
who could afford to, created cosy domestic
interiors with plush fabrics, heavy curtains and
fussy furnishings which effectively cocooned the
inhabitants from the world outside. The middle-
class household contained concrete expressions of
domesticity in the form of servants, décor,
furnishings, entertainment and clothing.
The middle class female body was dressed to emphasize a woman’s separation from the world of
work.
Working class – men, women, and children who performed physical labour, paid daily or weekly wages.
Salaries: Labourers,
soldiers £25; Sailors and domestic staff £40-75; Skilled workers
(carpenters, typesetters, etc.) £75-100
