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

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!
To take mildew out of linen
Take soap and rub it well, then scrape on some fine chalk, rub that also into the linen, lay it on the grass, as it dries, wet it a little, it will come out at twice doing. 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!
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!
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!
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!

BBC get stuck into Christmas jelly with us!

BBC get stuck into Christmas jelly with us!

See what Dr Lucy Worsley has to say about working with us here !

Anyone strolling through Presteigne in October may have seen the odd sight of bundles of holly, ivy and fir being dragged into The Judge’s Lodging out of season. Staff were preparing period rooms around the museum for the arrival of the BBC’s Food and Drink programme crew.

The Judge’s Lodging in Presteigne has always enjoyed historic cooking, from recreating grand Victorian dinners to puddings and even ‘jelly & ice-cream for grown-ups’ tours. This Christmas it will feature in the BBC’s Food and Drink Christmas Special, where appropriately, the presenters will be making a traditional Victorian Christmas jelly down in museum’s kitchen. The museum has had to keep under wraps the contents of the programme, but now they are excited to be able to share the contents of the mouth-watering programme with everyone. Historic food expert, Dr Annie Gray, took on the challenge of creating this traditional dish with the help of the well-known historian Lucy Worsley. Lucy is the Chief Curator for the Historic Royal Palaces and has presented several series for the BBC, including the recent ‘A Very British Murder’. Staff at the museum had great fun with the presenters, not least in the turning out of the jelly from a fancy mould – a difficult task even without being filmed for thousands of people to watch – we can let you into a secret that the first attempt completely collapsed!

You can see The Judge’s Lodging on the Food & Drink Christmas Special Wednesday 18^th December BBC 2 8pm

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