5 Awful Things About the Victorian Era
The good old days weren’t always so good.
If you could open a door to the past and walk through it, would you? You’re in good company if you said yes because lots of people who wax nostalgic about the “good old days” wouldn’t hesitate to run through. You might want to pause, though, before crossing the threshold back into the Victorian era because there were some things you might not want to experience…
Poorhouses
In my recent release, 12 Days at Bleakly Manor, my heroine is valiantly trying to keep the family inn afloat so her mother and brother don't have to bear the fate of going to a poorhouse or a workhouse. A poorhouse was specifically run by the government and was full of people unable to pay their debts. Those who lived in such an institute were required to work to contribute to the cost of their room and board and also to save up enough money in order to pay back their debt. Children were not excluded from this awful environment, for whole families were often tossed into one of these fine establishments and were separated from the time they entered until the time they left.
Surgery
If your life depended upon an operation of any sort, well, you might want to just hang up your hat and call it quits. Not only were there no painkillers, but 1 in 4 patients died following surgery. And if you merely did something as simple as breaking a bone, sorry, but you most likely will have to suffer that limb being amputated.
Air Pollution
During the industrial revolution, everything was covered by soot from all the burning coal, making buildings black and your lungs, too. Lung diseases were common. Tuberculosis, anyone? Added to that coal dust was the billowing fog rolling in from the humid River Thames. When the combination of fog and smoke became particularly bad, it was called a pea-souper.
Lifespan
While London is glamorous, back in the Victorian era, it would be better for your health if you lived outside the big city. The average life span of a London resident in the 1850s was only 27 years old. And for members of the lower classes, it was only 22.
Body Odor
During the nineteenth century, many doctors advised against bathing. The belief that bathing was bad for you was widespread. Upper class people bathed at most only a few times a month—and that in tepid water. The lower classes were lucky to bathe once a year.
Death Photography
Photography was birthed in the Victorian era—which meant it was extremely costly to have your picture snapped. More than likely, any photograph you happened to be in would also include a dead person. When a loved one died, often relatives would pose with the corpse for a picture. The deceased would often have their eyes either propped open or pupils would be painted on to the final photo. Rosy cheeks would be added as an added feature as well.
There you have it. Ready to walk through that time travel door for a visit to Dickens England? Yeah, me neither. So instead, how about you play it safe and simply read about it in my newest release, 12 Days at Bleakly Manor. Or better yet, sign up to win 1 of 12 signed copies.