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!

     

Facilities

Children’s Facilities

Here are a few notes and suggestions which will help you get the most from your session with us.

Please do leave yourself enough time.  Although the sessions last for 2.5 hours, we do not kick you out! Most groups take time after their session to have lunch and look around the shop. We are also happy for you to spend time with your students looking around, taking notes etc afterwards. We do not recommend that children take notes during the sessions, as we work them very hard and they rarely have their hands free!

 

Lunch

There is plenty of space for you to each lunch, usually in the Courtroom public gallery.  We will provide a bag for rubbish. Some groups like to bring only things that the Victorians would have had in their packed lunches.

 

Other Facilities

The shop sells a selection of small items suitable for children, including slates and pencils, replica Victorian toys, colouring cards and books ranging from 10p to £10.

There are three toilets on site (2 Victorian and 1 modern) and children will be asked before and after the session if they wish to use them.

 

Getting Dirty!

We do warn that children might get a bit wet and/or grubby whilst performing their tasks. We will provide everyone with suitable maid’s and butler’s aprons which usually deflect the worst! It can often prove all the more fulfilling for the children if you consider making the visit ‘dressed up’. If you would like some ideas on easy and suitable clothes your pupils could wear, do not hesitate to contact us.

 

Just in case we are ill!

On ‘Life Below Stairs’ sessions you will usually meet at least two servants. However, illness, freak weather conditions etc may mean that one of us cannot be with you. In this event, the other staff will take over the tasks of those not here, ie. we will not cut out any of the activities. Likewise, please do let us know if you are having trouble getting to us – we understand that weather may sometimes stop a trip altogether or make it difficult to get through – if we do not know you are having problems, we sit around in costume talking to ourselves and feeling rather silly.

Education

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