Things people “know” about the Victorians
Some are half true. Some are just wrong.
Myth The Crystal Palace is still in Hyde Park.
Fact The Crystal Palace was rebuilt at Sydenham, and Victoria and Albert opened it there on 10 June 1854. It was destroyed by fire in 1936. V&A: The Great Exhibition of 1851
Myth Victoria always knew she would be queen.
Fact She found out during a history lesson, aged 10, that she would one day be queen. Her governess later said that Victoria replied: “I will be good.” Encyclopaedia Britannica: Victoria, queen of the United Kingdom
Myth Victoria was the longest-reigning British monarch ever.
Fact Her reign was the longest in British history until that of Elizabeth II. Encyclopaedia Britannica: Victoria, last years
Myth All Victorian children went to school.
Fact The Factory Act of 1833 said employers must provide half-time education for workers under 13, but this was easily ignored. British Library: Education in Victorian Britain The big breakthrough came in 1870: elected school boards could raise a local rate to build new schools, giving education up to the age of 10. British Library: Education in Victorian Britain In 1880 elementary schooling was made compulsory for boys and girls, and the age was raised to 13. British Library: Education in Victorian Britain
Myth Everyone could vote in Victorian times.
Fact The Great Reform Act of 1832 gave the vote to property-owning middle-class men, but many working men still could not vote. The National Archives: What was Chartism? The People’s Charter had six aims: a vote for all men over 21, a secret ballot, no property qualification to become an MP, pay for MPs, electoral districts of equal size, and elections for Parliament every year. The National Archives: What was Chartism?
Myth Workhouses ended with the Victorians.
Fact Workhouses were not abolished until 1930. British Library: Charles Booth’s poverty map of London
Myth Children always went to adult prisons.
Fact The Juvenile Offences Act of 1847 said young people under 14 (soon raised to 16) should be tried in a special court, not an adult court. The National Archives: Victorian children in trouble with the law From 1899 children were no longer sent to adult prisons. The National Archives: Victorian children in trouble with the law
Myth The 1848 Chartist petition had six million real signatures.
Fact The Chartists claimed their 1848 petition had six million signatures. The National Archives: What was Chartism? It was said to contain 1,975,496 names, and many forgeries, including “Queen Victoria” and “Mr Punch”. The National Archives: What was Chartism?
Myth The V&A has always been called the V&A.
Fact For over 40 years it was called the South Kensington Museum. Then it was renamed after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. V&A: Building the Museum
Myth Victorian prisons have all gone.
Fact Many Victorian prisons are still in use today. The National Archives: Victorian prisons
Myth Victoria was never popular.
Fact Her Jubilees of 1887 and 1897 showed that she had become popular. Encyclopaedia Britannica: Victoria, last years