Children would have been well aware that they were expected to obey God, their parents, teachers, betters, elders, as well as being a loyal subject of Queen Victoria! Wealthy Victorians believed that good breeding and respectability separated those from ‘polite society’ from the awful, lawless poor.
What was life like for workers in the Victorian era?
While it is undoubtedly true that by modern standards the workers who manned the factories and mills of 1800 in England laboured for inhuman hours from an early age in conditions of terrible danger, noise and dirt, returning to crowded and insanitary homes through polluted streets, and had dreadful job security, diet.
What was school like for a Victorian child?
At the start of the Victorian era, very few children actually attended school. Children from rich families would be educated at home by a governess (a female teacher). At the age of ten, boys would go to public schools, such as Eton or Harrow, and girls would continue their education at home.
How did Victorian children behave?
Victorian children lived very different lives to children today. Poor children often had to work to earn money for their family. Disease and early death were common for both rich and poor people. Victorian children did not have as many toys and clothes as children do today and many of them were homemade.
What were the Victorian punishments?
Hard labour was a common punishment. Many Victorians believed that having to work very hard would prevent criminals committing crime in the future. Other forms of punishment included fines, hanging or being sent to join the army.
What was a poor Victorian child daily routine?
Poor children often had to work instead of going to school. Many worked with their parents at home or in workshops, making matchboxes or sewing. Children could also earn a bit of money as chimney-sweeps, messengers or crossing sweepers like the boy in this picture.
What did poor Victorians play with?
Poor children often made their own toys such as rag balls or, if they were lucky, bought cheap penny toys. Wealthier children played with dolls with wax or china faces, toy soldiers and train sets.
What was life like for Victorian child?
Victorian children lived very different lives to children today. Poor children often had to work to earn money for their family. As a result, many could not go to school. London’s population grew rapidly during the 19th century.
What was the worst crime in Victorian times?
The most notorious Victorian murders were bloody slayings in the backstreets of London’s Whitechapel, ascribed to Jack the Ripper. These attacks typically involved female prostitutes who lived and worked in the slums of the East End of London, whose throats were cut prior to abdominal mutilations.
What did Victorians call criminals?
From The Criminal Prisons of London by Henry Mayhew. They were called ‘Peelers’ or ‘Bobbies’ after him.
