Category Archives: Living in the UK

The Governess: Qualified to Teach the Usual Branches of a Good English Education

A governess’s job was to teach the children of middle and upper class households in 19th Century England. By 1850, there were 21,000 governesses registered in England. In Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre, our heroine places the following advertisement, which eventually … Continue reading

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Oh, Give Me Land, Lots of Land (or) the 19th Century Entail

Oh, Give Me Land Lots of Land (or) the 19th Century Entail As it had been for centuries, a man’s status in 19th Century British Society rested in the land he held. Land was a symbol of wealth and social … Continue reading

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Victorian Personality: William Hulton, Industrial Strategist or Hard Task Master?

William Hulton (23 October 1787 – 5 April 1864) was an English landowner and magistrate who lived at Hulton Park, in the historic county of Lancashire, England. Hulton was the son of William Hulton and Jane (née Brooke). He was … Continue reading

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Whipping Tom (or) Toms…With a Fetish for Lady’s Behinds

“Whipping Tom” was the nickname given to two sexual attackers in London and the nearby village of Hackney. Both would attack women walking alone and beat them on the buttocks. While there is some evidence an earlier attacker in around … Continue reading

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Victorian Celebrity: Edward Cardwell, 1st Viscount Cardwell, Secretary of State for War

Edward Cardwell, 1st Viscount Cardwell PC, PC (Ire), FRS (24 July 1813 – 15 February 1886) was a prominent British politician in the Peelite and Liberal parties during the middle of the 19th century. He is best remembered for his … Continue reading

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The Halifax Slasher

The Halifax Slasher was the supposed attacker in an incident of mass hysteria that occurred in the town of Halifax, England, in November 1938 following a series of reported attacks on local people, mostly women. The Incident The week-long scare … Continue reading

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UK “Real” Estate: The Strand

Strand, often called the Strand, is a major thoroughfare in the City of Westminster in central London that forms part of the A4 road. It is just over three-quarters of a mile in length from its western origin at Trafalgar … Continue reading

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The 19th Century Educational System (or Lack Thereof)

The 19th Century Educational System (or Lack Thereof) “Public” schools were founded through generous donations for the male children of the towns of Eton and Harrow, and they were originally open to all. The concept of the “grammar” school came … Continue reading

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UK “Real” Estate: All Hallows-by-the-Tower

All Hallows-by-the-Tower, also previously dedicated to St. Mary the Virgin and sometimes known as All Hallows Barking, is an ancient Anglican church on Byward Street in the City of London, overlooking the Tower of London. The church and Tower Hill … Continue reading

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“The London Monster” and Piquerism

The London Monster was the name given to an alleged attacker of women in London between 1788 and 1790. The attacker had a signature behavior of piquerism, the pricking or stabbing of victims with a knife, pin or needle. First … Continue reading

Posted in British history, Georgian Era, gothic and paranormal, Great Britain, legends and myths, Living in the UK, mystery, real life tales | Tagged , | 2 Comments