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

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!

Vegetables

Colliflowers Fry’d

Ingredients Two fine cauliflower Milk Water 1/2 lb of butter 2 spoonful of water Dust of flour Pepper Salt Steps Take two fine colliflowers, boil them in milk and water,…

Brockely in Sallad

Brockely is a pretty dish, by way of Sallad in the middle of the table. Boil it like asparagus, lay it in a dish, and beat up oil and vinegar,…

Spinach with Cream & Eggs

‘Spinage’ with Cream and Eggs This being a pretty genteel dish, it is a pity to leave it out. Scald it in a morsel of butter and water and salt,…

Salads, the Victorian way

Of Salads: Salad herbs are cooling and refreshing. They correct the putrescent tendency of animal food, and are anti-scorbutic. Salads are at any rate a harmless luxury where they agree…

Strange But True

Inexpressibles

What did Victoria do first

Now that’s what we call a cake!

Victorian ladies’ knickers had no middle

Would you wee in your dining room?

The last ducking stool to be used in England

Handy Hints

Keeping your kettle clean

To take mildew out of linen

Antidote against mice

To remove grease from books

An insect trap

To clean gilt buckles, chains &c.

Vegetables

Colliflowers Fry’d

Brockely in Sallad

Spinach with Cream & Eggs

Salads, the Victorian way

Recipe Categories