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!

     

Museum mourns loss of great actor and friend

Museum mourns loss of great actor and friend

PRESS RELEASE:

 Robert Hardy opens The Judge's LodgingThe Judge’s Lodging museum, the award-winning historic courthouse and judge’s accommodation, has been hugely saddened by the passing of Robert Hardy, a wonderful actor, great mind and staunch supporter of them.

Mr Hardy leant his voice to the museum’s atmospheric ‘eavesdropping’ audiotour, which leads enthralled visitors through the gaslit world of an unusual Victorian household,  taking the role of Richard Lister Venables, Chairman of the Magistrates, and as such is the highlight of the tour.

 In 1997, he leant his presence to the opening of the building as a museum, when he processed through the streets of the tiny Welsh border town of Presteigne in an 1860s horse-drawn carriage, flanked by the local police, who gamely wore Victorian uniforms, and the local cadets, who took on the duties of the Victorian javelin-men, protectors of visiting judges.  On arrival, he gave a rousing speech about the value of protecting heritage sites such as this courthouse, which has been described as the ‘Most preserved historic court in the UK’, ‘One of the world’s greatest small museums’ and most recently by HRH Prince of Wales as ‘Truly inspirational’.

 On cutting the ribbon, Mr Hardy’s official duties were complete, but he never stopped asking after the museum. Staff have seen visitors change over the years since they opened, but all, young and old, have always been excited to see photographs of him on the opening day as they go in – his appeal has been such that they’ve heard ‘Ooh, look, it’ that vet’ to ‘It’s Churchill’ to the young, Harry Potter generation exclaiming ‘OMG, it’s the Minister for Magic!’.

If you take the audiotour of The Judge’s Lodging, you can sit in the Judge’s withdrawing Room, close your eyes and really believe that the Victorian gentleman talking to you is there with you.

 The Judge’s Lodging is open Tues – Sun and Bank Holiday Mondays

 If you would like any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

  • Photograph of Robert Hardy on the opening of The Judge’s Lodging in 1997, just after cutting the ribbon

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