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!

     

Pigs’ ears, parrots and flaming nighties

Pigs’ ears, parrots and flaming nighties

The Judge’s Lodging is well know for attempting some peculiar Victorian recreations, but residents of Presteigne could not resist asking us what the awful smell was just before we opened for the season on 1st March.  The answer was not one they expected and perhaps they wished that they had not said anything – a boiled sheep’s head and roasted pigs’ ears.

We were playing host to a film crew and the filming in question has ranged from the gross to hilarious, with a good helping of the really fascinating thrown in. There’s been  a parrot  learning to talk, tests on fire-retardant nightdresses in the garden, leeches in jars, elaborate cooking experiments (hence the smell!), make-up tips, the Victorian way and much more.

Independent TV company Cwmni Da are working on a forthcoming history series for S4C Wales. Established in 1997 Cwmni Da is one of Wales’ largest and well established independent production companies. The company’s national and international output includes factual, children’s, comedy, events, drama and sports. The company’s productions have won critical acclaim both nationally and on the international stage.

The new series called “Byw yn ol y Llyfr” (“Living by the Book”), is based on a Welsh language Victorian self-help manual – Llyfr Pawb ar Bob Peth (“Everyone’s Book on Everything“) published around 1870. The series will see author Bethan Gwanas and comedian Tudur Owen don period clothing as they follow the book’s advice on all manner of things, ranging from DIY to social etiquette, learning about the values of Victorian society in the process. Large parts of the series have been filmed with us, with the crew just about to arrive back for the last session before they can put the series together. “Byw yn ol y Llyfr” (“Living by the Book”) is due to be shown on S4C in the Autumn.

Incidentally, the cooking got even worse, with roasted cow’s udder, but the bread and butter pudding they made was much appreciated by the staff!

For more information on the museum or the filming, please do not hesitate to contact us

May 2010

25th May – news update:  Cwmni Da just left the building after the final lot of filming for the series with us.  This time they cooked eel – it smelled ok!  To all the cast & crew, thank you for entertaining us over the last few months – it’s been fun.

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