The Victorian era was a time of grand innovation, rigid social codes, and striking contrasts. It was anything but simple, with steam-powered industrial advances, strict etiquette, and moral standards alongside sharp class divisions, this era left a lasting impact on culture, society, and even technology. From the rise of the middle class to the mysteries of spiritualism, here’s what truly defined the Victorian experience.
Toilets Were New Inventions
In Victorian times, our modern flush toilet was a novelty. Inventors like Sir John Harington and then Thomas Crapper were the first to popularize water closets, first appearing in middle and upper-class homes in the 19th century. Before that time, outdoor privies and chamber pots were the most common ways to do your business. So when indoor plumbing arrived, it revolutionized sanitation, and meant more people had access to easy waste disposal.
Penny Dreadfuls Were Widely Read
Penny dreadfuls were cheap, sensational literature that exploded in popularity in the Victorian era. They cost one penny each and contained serialized stories featuring chilling tales of adventure, crime, and horror, the perfect entertainment for working-class youth. Characters like Varney the Vampire and Sweeney Todd originated from penny dreadfuls, and played a major role in shaping future pop culture.
Mourning Lasted Years
© The Trustees of the British Museum/Wikimedia Commons
Queen Victoria set the standard for mourning after she wore black for 40 years after Prince Albert’s death. Mourning customs in Victorian times were strict, especially for women. Widows were expected to mourn for no less than two years, often wearing only black and participating in little to no social engagement. Jewelry made from the deceased’s hair, mourning dresses, and post-mortem photography were all part of the Victorian grieving process.
Mail Was Always On Time
Victorian Britain probably had one, if not the best, postal system in the world. Innovations like the Penny Post and its expansive railway network made sure people in London could effectively receive up to 12 mail deliveries each day. Invitations, love letters, and business correspondence could be sent and read within hours, which made communication in the 19th century more reliable than many in our time expect.
Fog Would Fill Streets
Victorian cities, especially London, often became shrouded in fog that was called “pea soupers.” The fog wasn’t only due to natural weather phenomena, but was intensified due to the amount of pollution released by factories and coal fires. It fog was dense, and had a yellowish color that usually lasted for many days, worsening respiratory illnesses and reducing visibility. Many of these eerie fogs became the backdrop to Victorian literature, including works from Arthur Conan Doyle and Charles Dickens.
Opioids Were Widely Used In Medicine
Victorian doctors regularly prescribed opioids like laudanum (which is a mix of opium and alcohol) to various ailments like headaches, coughs, menstrual pain, and anxiety. They were available over the counter, as laudanum was used by nearly everyone, from housewives to children and even poets like Elizabeth Barrett Browning. While the concoction did provide relief, it also led to widespread addiction, which wasn’t fully understood at that time.
Social Etiquette and Manners Were Expected At All Times
Victorian society placed great importance on decorum and manners. Everything from how to properly address a stranger to how a teacup was held, etiquette guided Victorian daily life. Guides and manuals were commonly published to assist people, especially women, in navigating these social expectations. If you breach these etiquette rules, it could lead to social ruin, making them crucial no matter what your class is.
Cities Bustled With People
When the Industrial Revolution began, it spurred rapid urbanization, transforming cities like Birmingham, Manchester, and London into centers of labor and commerce. These cities became chaotic, noisy places, teeming with people from all walks of life. Factory workers, street vendors, carriages, and chimney sweepers all competed for the limited space, making city life exciting, but overwhelming at the same time.
Workhouses Were The Poor’s Only Option
Victorian England was not kind to the destitute, as workhouses were the only place of refuge for the poorest of the poor. Workhouses were established after the Poor Law Amendment Act was passed in 1843, providing those in need with food and shelter in exchange for hard labor. Conditions were intentionally harsh, as they discouraged reliance on public assistance. Discipline was strict and families were separated, but despite their grim nature, these workhouses became a defining part of Victorian social policy.
Child Labor From Dawn ‘Til Dusk
Victorian children were expected to work long hours in mines, factories, and as domestic servants. Some children began working as young as five or six, enduring extreme danger for little to no pay. Textile work, chimney sweeping, and street selling were just some of the most common jobs performed by children. Despite child labor laws steadily emerging, like the Factory Acts, working-class children had no choice but to contribute to their household’s earnings.
Coal-Fired Hearths Heated Homes
In the Victorian times, coal was the dominant fuel source, even when it came to heating homes. Every household, whether they were rich or poor, relied on coal-fired stoves and hearths to cook and stay warm. However, keeping these fires alive was labor-intensive, requiring hourly tending and ash removal. The coal soot originating from these fires is one of the reasons for the Victorian age’s urban smog problem, staining fabrics and walls alike. Despite its many drawbacks, the coal hearth was still the heart of any Victorian home.
Modern Plumbing Was Nearly Non-Existent
Victorian homes, particularly those in poor neighborhoods, lacked proper indoor plumbing. Water was still drawn from wells and communal pumps, and mass waste disposal was still done by hand. It was more common to use outhouses and chamber pots than anything else, leading to various sanitation problems around cities. One such issue is highlighted by the Great Stink of 1858 in London, forecasting the dire need for a proper sewage system and prompting the construction of modern sewer systems by prominent engineers like Joseph Bazalgette.
Communal Bathhouses and Sponge Bath Rituals
The limited access to running water meant many Victorians had to visit public bathhouses for their weekly cleansings. These communal spaces offered most citizens a rare chance to wash the grime off. But at home, sponge baths were the only alternative, using a simple basin, a cloth, and a small bit of soap. Funnily enough, many baths were situated in living rooms or areas of convenience, meaning you weren’t always guaranteed privacy, especially among poor families.
Progress and Anxiety Came Hand in Hand
The Victorian era supplied incredible progress, like steam power, railroads, industrial growth, and scientific discoveries. But with advancement came a deep anxiety regarding morality, the pace of change, and class upheaval. Art and literature most often reflected public tension, with the period switching between the celebration of progress and a fear of decline.
Fat and Bread Were Working-Class Staples
The Victorian working class consumed meals that were simple and calorie-dense to sustain and survive constant hard labor. Lard, bread, and dripping (fat from cooked meat) were staples for most households. These foods weren’t only filling, but cheap, and lacked the proper nutrition, which saw health problems rise in later years. Fresh produce and meat were luxuries, while tea and bread were seen as common dinners, since a hot meal might only come around once each day, if you were lucky.
