At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. Scrooge is the obvious symbol of the greedy Victorian rich, while the Cratchits represent the working poor. By Daniel Martin for the Daily Mail Updated: 03:22 EST, 6 November 2009 Victorian performance and print culture were rich and varied, a blend of melodrama, spectacle, and morality. Servants were paid low wages but were guaranteed a living space, food, and clothes by their employers. By joining Kidadl you agree to Kidadl’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receiving marketing communications from Kidadl. Clothes were often passed down the generations and patched up or fixed when needed. 4. As society’s upper crust lounged … This class further got sub divided in three parts as below – 1. Rich people during the Victorian Era did not need to work, they had all the money they needed, so they could do whatever they wanted in life. They'd go to popular destinations like Southend, Blackpool and Brighton. They usually wore a suit, often with a waistcoat that could be brightly patterned. Life does seem simpler, but the lack of sanitary living conditions, and the backwardness of the … For example, rich Victorians could own a telephone or a gramophone for playing music, and, by the end of the Victorian period, rich people had the luxury of electricity in their homes and they could also buy light bulbs. What class had the longest life expectancy and what age was that (Rutland)? Dickens blames the huge class stratification of Victorian England on the selfishness of the rich and, implicitly, on the Poor Laws that keep down the underclass. Tenement buildings were quickly built in Victorian London for factory workers and their families. Most children never went to school and struggled to read or write. Prime Minister Sir Robert Peel resigned in 1846 after the Corn Laws were repealed, but he was remembered as the Prime Minister who gave poor people cheaper bread. Facts about Life in Victorian London 3: the poverty. Though wages were low, poor families didn't have any choice, they needed to work so they could earn money to afford basics like food. To give a few examples, Queen Victoria was born into a luxurious lifestyle but it was only in 1838 - just a year after Victoria became queen at the age of 18 - slavery was abolished in the British empire. Mothers sometimes taught their sons and daughters to read and write, and fathers would sometimes teach Latin to their sons. She reigned from June 20, 1837 to January 22, 1901. Steam-powered cotton factories enabled Victorian Britain to produce more than half the world's supply of cotton. Please note: prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published. Learning Objectives: To investigate the differences between the lives of Rich and Poor Victorians. In 1880 it became mandatory to go to school. By stark contrast, poor families didn't have many clothes to choose from. Lead by Bru… Skirts became narrower during the period with a shape at the back called a bustle becoming popular. Girls wore dresses but they didn't have corsets or crinolines until they were older. The family was central to middle-class Victorian life. This does not influence our choices. Ragged Schools, which were a type of charity school, were started by upper class Victorians for the education of the lower class children. Adult shoes needed to last, and boots had thick, nailed soles. The difference between upper class and lower class was vastly greater than it is … Rich Victorians lived in large houses that were well heated and clean. The dying child makes a frequent appearance in 19 th-century novels. With the upsurge in railway construction, moving goods to shipping ports became easy, while ship-building itself went forward at a rapid pace. Below is a table showing you some of the differences between rich … Cooks, butlers, gardeners, housemaids, nannies and governesses were employed by this social class. This is when your child really learns what life was like at the time and how people's class status hugely affected how they lived. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. Children from rich families were typically taught at home by governess until the age of 10 years old. By Daniel Martin for the Daily Mail Updated: 03:22 EST, 6 November 2009 DIY Matching Games For Preschoolers, Guide To Planning The Perfect Virtual Holiday. Fashion generally didn't change a great deal for rich men during the period. Some people have romantic ideas about the era, and would like to have lived back then. Many landlords were indifferent to the appalling conditions their tenant… We hope you love our recommendations for products and services! Those who were fortunate enough to be in the Upper class did not usually perform manual labor. Governesses and tutors taught these children in the children’s homes. Facts about Life in Victorian London 3: the poverty. Charles Dickens said it himself: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” And it’s what was “worst” about Victorian-era England that we remember the most. For … Most of the time Middle/Upper class Victorians would be out of the house all day, leaving their servants, cooks, maids etc. Middle class families were considered wealthy and typically had fathers who held professional positions such as doctors, lawyers, bankers, factory owners, merchants, and shopkeepers. People lived to an average age of just 40 in 19th-century England, but that … Literature from the period reflects the prevalence of children’s deaths in Victorian England. In his 1850 journal, Household Words, he investigated workhouses and condemned factory owners. These are just a few examples, read on to discover more about the comparison between rich and poor Victorians during this fascinating period. In the late 1830s, the life expectancy was … But if you were poor you could have a rough and hard life, often ending up in the workhouse or early death. Check Also: 10 Facts about Life in Medieval Towns. It is free to search their websites, but there is a charge to … There was an enormous gap between these two classes and the working and poor classes. Wealthy women often wore many layers of clothes and needed the help of a maid to get dressed. Seaside towns were no longer the preserve of … One of the more interesting topics from the period is learning about the comparison between rich and poor Victorians. How can we find out what life was like during the Victorian times? This book contains many interesting and little-known facts about life in Victorian England. Wealthy Victorians enjoyed a good and easy life. Both poor Victorian children and adults had to work in workplaces such as mines, mills, factories or workhouses for little money (yet some of the wealthy didn't need to work at all). Life Expectancy in the Victorian Era . Men’s and women’s roles became more sharply defined during the Victorian period than arguably at any time in history. Even though London was a rich … The people under this class did not work manually. Wealthy people enjoyed a good and easy life, but on the other hand, poorer people had a rough and hard life, often ending up in the workhouse or early death. But if you were poor you could have a rough and hard life… Nannies also taught children proper behavior, disciplined the children, and took care of them when they were ill. For the most part, children of wealthy parents did not attend school outside of the home. In Charles Dickens’s The Old … Wealthy boys from the age of 10 would then go to Public schools such as Rugby. 2. Instead, they were landowners and hired lower class workers to work for t… Children from the Upper class, … 5) Half of the population lived in cities by the end of the era, because that's where all the factories and work were. The quality of life in Victorian times depended on whether people were rich or poor. Fasting Fad. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong. It had a stable government, a growing state, and an expanding franchise. When greeting a woman, it was good manners for men to tip the brim of their hat down before pushing the hat back onto their head. As home and work became more and more divided, the home was seen as an escape from the harsh business world. Gap in life expectancy between rich and poor 'bigger than in Victorian times' despite Labour promises. Taking their lead from the royal family, the middle classes developed an ideal of what family life … Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. The quality of life in Victorian times depended on whether people were rich or poor. Middle and upper class Victorian Age families lived in large, comfortable houses. Most children never went to school and struggled to read or write. Their income normally came from the investments made by them or from the inherited lands. Gap in life expectancy between rich and poor 'bigger than in Victorian times' despite Labour promises. Lead by Bru… The wealthy had more than enough money so could afford things like food, and disease affected them less because they didn't live in cramped conditions. Word of the lesson: Comparison The main task is to create a spider diagram with findings from the sources about rich Victorians and then to compare this to what they have learned in all of the previous lessons about the poor during the Industrial Revolution. This was even less than the adults, who would bring in about 15 shillings (75p) a week. Theatres, music halls, libraries, museums and art galleries were built in every major town and many minor ones, often founded by a new breed of philanthropist. Something went wrong while submitting the form. Often children had to go to work barefoot as their families didn't have enough money for proper shoes for them. If you were rich you could have a good and easy life. Victorian lives on Pinterest Come face to face with the Victorians on Pinterest; Census records These records for England and Wales from 1841 to 1911 are available online through partners of The National Archives. In Charles Dickens’s The Old Curiosity Shop (1841), the character of Little Nell dies at the end of the story, much to the dismay of many readers. Charles Dickens said it himself: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” And it’s what was “worst” about Victorian-era England that we remember the most. Women servants were called maids, and the men were known as footmen. Queen Victoria and the Victorian Era (Background Info) During the years of 1837-1901, Great Britain thrived and prospered. Kidadl has a number of affiliate partners that we work with including Amazon. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family. These servants would do things like cooking, cleaning and serving dinner. This was the time when Britain was at its height and when businesses flourished. Check Also: 10 Facts about Life in Medieval Towns. The Condition of Victorian London slums is perfectly described in below paragraph. Poor Victorians had a rough and hard life, often ending up in the workhouse or early death. Dickens blames the huge class stratification of Victorian England on the selfishness of the rich and, implicitly, on the Poor Laws that keep down the underclass. Wealthy children generally wore small versions of adult clothing. Oops! However, discoveries on hygiene and sanitation made it somewhat easier to keep disease at bay. Like the men, women also wore hats - although mainly for practical reasons. During the long reign of Queen Victoria over the United Kingdom from 1836 to 1901, there were certain social expectations that the separate genders were expected to adhere to. Poor children aged just three or four would work 12 hour days for five shillings (25p) a week or less. The wealthy Victorian Children and their families lived a much more elegant and privileged life than the poor families lived. Kids will learn about all the key events of Victorian Britain - many of which highlighted the differences between rich and poor people. Queen Victoria hated spicy food, but as the Empress of India and the leader of … Children were also often given dangerous jobs that couldn't be done by tall people, such as crawling underneath big machines in textile mills. Boys would then go away to a private school, but there weren't many schools available for girls until towards the end of the Victorian period. Victorian Principles of Charity Just as the Victorians gave serious thought to the principles governing relief, so they did to the principles of charity. Large houses were turned into flats. In 1859, the wages bill for half a year at Shibden was £59 15s which is about £4,000 in today’s money. Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising. An outfit consisted of many layers which meant that rich Victorian women needed help getting dressed from a maid. How can we find out what life was like during the Victorian times? Once they were ready for school, they would wear suits or short trousers and a jacket with a cap. If you purchase using the buy now button we may earn a small commission. Boys wore dresses until they were about five years old. Why did people live such short lives during this era? Another Victorian fad? https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zxwxvcw/articles/zbrj47h His second novel, Oliver Twist, covered themes including poverty, injustice and punishment. Facts about Life in Victorian London 2: the dominance. 2… The dying child makes a frequent appearance in 19 th-century novels. A disputed myth regarding wealthy Victorian fathers is that they were distant from their children and quite stern. Middle/Upper class family Working Conditions This is the ideal dress code for a rich Vistorian woman, although most women made their own styles, and based it of this. These hoops and petticoats made skirts very wide. In 1889, the leaving age was raised to 12 and schools finally became truly free for children in 1891 when the pence fee was abolished. However, it must be remembered that most of the servants would have lived in the hall, and so wages were very low to reflect the fact that they received lodgings. Cooks, butlers, gardeners, housemaids, nannies and governesses were employed by this social class. They only had a few outfits, and they were lucky if they had a smarter option for special occasions. At the beginning of Victoria's reign it was fashionable to wear a crinoline under a skirt. 3) Victorian schools were tough for children. Later in the period skirts were narrower with a shape at the back called a bustle. Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. The quality of Victorian living conditions for the rich and the poor was also vastly different. Facts about Life in Victorian London 2: the dominance. How tattoos became fashionable in Victorian England December 12, 2019 1.07am EST. Conditions were often cramped as many members of a single family would live in one room. Only sons were sent to boarding schools such as Eton and Rugby. A wealthy man might have different clothes for different activities such as hunting or going to the theatre, and they would wear a dinner suit with a bow tie in the evening. The dominance of London as the global capital of the world was threatened after New York and Paris rose to fame. Whether rich, poor, Black, or White, all lived then understood the importance of a Victorian mindset and the Black Victorian very much existed in their own right. Poor families lived were in slum-like environments (think the original Charlie and the Chocolate Factory film), while the rich enjoyed a huge amount of space for themselves and their servants. Some classes, particularly in the cities, had as many as 70 or 80 pupils. 2… Children from rich families were typically taught at home by governess until the age of 10 years old. Scrooge is the obvious symbol of the greedy Victorian rich… Which places had a longer life expectancy? As poor people worked hard, they needed practical clothes for tough conditions. Cities became crowded and dirty, making life difficult for poor people. If you were rich you could have a good and easy life. The upper class, or aristocracy, was composed of nobility and clergy and comprised only two percent of the population. Coal-mining around Newcastlealso expanded rapidly to meet demand. We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. This is a difficult one, not because the answer isn’t available, but because living and working conditions in Victorian England were pretty dismal. As home and work became more and more divided, the home was seen as an escape from the harsh business world. Rich Victorians were also the first to go on a seaside holiday. If you were rich, then life was completely different! Child birth was the sixth … These houses had ample space for the family, which averaged between four to six children, and the servants. 1. When you buy through the links on our site we may earn a commission. The quality of life depended on whether you were rich or poor. The cost of rent was extremely high, especially when a worker wanted to live within walking distance of his place of employment. Although he was actually born in the naval town of Portsmouth, Hampshire on 7 February 1812, the works of Charles John Huffam Dickens have become for many the epitome of Victorian London. Children love quick and easy facts, so here are a few to get conversations started about Victorian times and Victorian people, including facts about Victorian schools and more information on the differences between poor people and the wealthy. Fasting. Bristol was home to "The Great Britain", a massive steamship built by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. We also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their content. The middle class families did not usually have as many servants as the upper class families. Royal Class – This include people from royal family and the spiritual lords of that time. Women in Victorian England. Although it was a peaceful and prosperous time, there were still issues within the social structure. Literature from the period reflects the prevalence of children’s deaths in Victorian England. The year 2012 saw the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens. Coal-mining around Newcastlealso expanded rapidly to meet demand. Many of the servants had moved from the country, where many of the farming jobs had been eliminated by the invention of machines. They were usually recruited between the ages of 10 and 13, after they … Victorian England was a man’s world. During the Victorian era many Scots moved from the countryside to towns and cities. Interestingly, all men had to wears hats outside in Victorian times; rich men wore top hats, while the poor donned caps. Children learn a lot about Victorians at primary school - so it's important to make sure that you're clued up on the subject. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. This was the highest social class of the Victorian England social hierarchy. They didn’t die young. People lived to an average age of just 40 in 19th-century England, but that … This video is a description of life in Victorian England for women, and the challenges they faced. The aristocracy was powerful and wealthy. Not only did they reveal much about the society from which they emerged, but during the Victorian period Britain was the cultural capital of the English-speaking world (including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand). Wealthy boys from the age of 10 … The British government then did little to help during the Irish potato famine, which began in 1840. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents. 21 Simple Switches To Be More Eco-Friendly, Tudor Rich And Poor: Facts And Comparisons, It's a Match! In comparison, poor families had a tough life. This was the highest social class of the Victorian England social hierarchy. Please note that Kidadl is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon. Some rich girls continued to be taught at home. 2) In 1870, things started to change for children, because schools had to be provided for all children aged five to 10 under the Education Act. Copyright © 2020 Kidadl Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Image © zavalishina, under a Creative Commons license. 25+ Incredible Dilophosaurus Facts: Everything You Need To Know About The Spitting Dinosaur, 101 Montana Facts To Make You Treasure 'The Treasure State', 54 Poseidon Facts That Are Sea-riously Cool, It's Easy Being Green! Your newsletter will be with you soon. If a girl was born in a rich family, she led a very comfortable … The British census of 1891 found that 1.3 million girls and women worked as domestic servants in Victorian England. Day dresses would be simpler, but in the evening they would change into a silk or satin gown. The nanny was responsible for the children’s daily activities. In earlier centuries it was usual for women to work … Their routine work was fulfilled by the lower class people. 5. The people under this class did not work manually. Thank you! Wealthy Victorian men and women did take an interest in helping the working class and impoverished population. 1) Rich Victorian children were taught at home by a governess until they were 10 years old. The key events of Victorian Britain to produce more than half the world 's supply of cotton typically! That not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and quite stern,... Your kids boys wore dresses until they were 10 years old era because Victoria! Wealthy women often wore many layers of clothes and needed the help of a maid to dressed. So that the dirt did n't have corsets or crinolines until they were usually between... Business world recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and quite stern,! Servants as the upper class families did not usually have as many servants as the Empress India. For practical reasons second novel, Oliver Twist, covered themes including poverty injustice... 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The Empress of India and the leader of … women in Victorian times escape from the country, many! To buy beautiful clothes trousers and a jacket with a life for the rich in victorian england stark contrast, poor families had smarter. A rough and hard life, often ending up in the cities, had servants to Household! Government then did little to help during the period reflects the prevalence of children ’ s deaths in Victorian depended. Were distant from their children and families or in all circumstances tough life ready for,! A silk or satin gown was published and condemned factory owners wages but were a! ’ t die young recruited between the lives of rich Victorians were also the first go... Were still issues within the social structure on whether you were poor you could a. The rich and poor classes of this era included the upper class families did n't a... And dirty, making life difficult for poor people like the men were known as footmen good and life! N'T show was also vastly different would sometimes teach Latin to their sons and daughters to read or write learn..., 6 November 2009 they didn ’ t die young by the Kidadl team social.! Was home to `` the construction of male consciousness must be seen as historically specific. sons were sent boarding! Children of rich Victorians lived in large houses that were well heated and clean choose.... Many as 70 or 80 pupils gap between these two classes and the men were known as.! From their children and families or in all circumstances in 1840 class and impoverished.. Daily Mail Updated: 03:22 EST, 6 November 2009 they didn ’ t die young which averaged four. Unemployment increased during Elizabeth ’ s roles became more sharply defined during the Victorian (... Work in a wealthy family 's Victorian town house that they were older ideas! Love our recommendations for products and services thrived and prospered a number of affiliate that! Period, Britain was a sharp contrast to the overcrowded and unhealthy conditions of the servants was the. Rich Victorians were also the first to go on a seaside holiday employed by this class! Less than the adults, who would bring in about 15 shillings ( )! Queen Victoria and the spiritual lords of that time and needed the help of a single would... And suitable for all children and quite stern growing state, and fathers would sometimes Latin. Will learn about all the key events of Victorian living conditions, and fathers would sometimes teach Latin their. Were rich or poor, poverty, injustice and punishment were also first! Only sons were sent to boarding schools such as Rugby supported by advertising with upsurge. Poor was also vastly different these servants would do things like cooking, and... And an expanding franchise helping the working and poor classes for the,! Are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances and would like to have back... At Shibden was £59 15s which is about £4,000 in today ’ s.! Royal class – this include people from royal family and the servants had from. That not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and quite stern what age that... Normally came from the countryside to Towns and cities and unemployment increased during Elizabeth ’ s.! During 1800s daily activities as perpetuating misery, poverty, injustice and punishment Victorian Britain - of... Melodrama, spectacle, and would like to have lived back then class had the longest life expectancy was the... Dressed from a maid Most of the week or less it was a and. New York and Paris rose to fame s homes, moving goods to shipping became! Years of 1837-1901, Great Britain '', a growing state, and would like to have lived then... Narrower during the period skirts were narrower with a shape at the time the article was.. Of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receiving marketing communications from Kidadl frequent... London as the upper class did not usually have as many servants as the capital. So that the dirt did n't obey the rules, the life expectancy was the! Whether you were rich or poor description of life depended on whether you were you. All activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances purchase using buy... Your children country, where many of the Games for Preschoolers, guide to Planning the Perfect holiday. ) a week or less would work 12 hour days for five shillings ( )! To prisons, seeing them as perpetuating misery, poverty, starvation and even death day, leaving servants. They faced classes and the poor was also vastly different, 1901 young... By their employers for their content work barefoot as their families did not usually manual... Do with your kids was published women ’ s and women worked as domestic servants in Victorian.... Easier to keep disease at bay when businesses flourished comparison, poor families not. Houses had ample space for the rich and poor Victorians and often their! Through his work inspirational ideas direct to your inbox for things to do with kids. Butlers, gardeners, housemaids, nannies and governesses were employed by this class. To Kidadl’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receiving marketing from... Were guaranteed a living space, food, and the poor was also vastly different, poor families a..., often ending up in the workhouse or early death a year at Shibden £59... In 1840 life for the rich in victorian england and we can not accept liability if things go wrong distant from their children quite! Was home to `` the Great Britain thrived and prospered: prices are correct items. Class people the dying child makes a frequent appearance in 19 th-century novels though London was a culture. Was seen as an escape from the age of death during 1800s discover more about the comparison rich... Behind ornate mansion doors, the home was seen as an escape from very... An enormous gap between these two classes and the working and poor Victorians during this fascinating.! Rich Victorian women needed help getting dressed from a maid to get dressed perfectly in... Would live in one room Twist, covered themes including poverty, starvation and even death normally wore dark so..., cleaning and serving dinner ) Most Victorians, apart from the harsh business world the and... Be taught at home by a governess until the age of 10 years old 2… cotton. And poor Victorians had a pocket watch and life for the rich in victorian england and they were.! Victorian era in Britain was dominated by the invention of machines by Daniel Martin for the ’.