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!

Donate

Giving a future to the past

Our building is now the UK’s only remaining Judge’s Lodging that retains its original courtroom and domestic contents, and that is open to visitors. We have a handsome courtroom with full fittings and cells below, whilst the house retains a huge proportion of its original 1820s fittings and furnishings. We also care for and display Presteigne’s remarkable community collection, formerly housed at the Town Museum.

In 1997, painstaking restoration opened the Lodging up to the public, revealing its original décor and gas lighting, dining and sitting rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and courtroom. So much that is retained at here conveys a unique experience of the Victorian domestic and civic world. Our work now is about preserving and continuing to share that.

Please click through to our JustGiving page to learn more about how we work and to support us.

OR contact us on 01544 260650 / email info@judgeslodging.org.uk. We’d love to talk to you about supporting or sponsoring our work or about leaving a legacy to The Judge’s Lodging.

If you wish to offer objects for donation to the museum or to volunteer, please email info@judgeslodging.org.uk in the first instance and we will make sure the right person responds to you.

Every donation is enormously appreciated and goes purely towards supporting The Judge’s Lodging’s charitable aims. Donors help us to protect the building and the collections we cherish, and to ensure that visitors can share the incredible atmosphere of our period rooms. School children, families, the community and visitors can participate in a uniquely memorable experience that shapes their understanding of the past.

Every person who donates will get their name on our ‘Thank You’ page. If you wish to be anonymous, we will, of course, honour that.

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