30 Facts About Bizarre Victorian Era Customs

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The Victorian era, spanning from 1837 to 1901, was a time of grandeur, innovation, and some truly bizarre customs. From mourning rituals that lasted decades to the use of arsenic in cosmetics, the Victorians had some peculiar habits that might seem strange today. Why did people in the Victorian era wear jewelry made from the hair of deceased loved ones? How did they entertain themselves without modern technology? This article dives into 30 odd and fascinating facts about Victorian customs, shedding light on the quirks and contradictions of this unique period. Get ready to step back in time and explore the eccentricities that defined an era.

Key Takeaways:

The Victorian era was filled with bizarre customs, from prolonged mourning to dangerous beauty practices. These traditions reveal a unique blend of beauty, morbidity, and societal norms.
Victorians had a fascination with death, strange fashion choices, and peculiar entertainment. Their customs reflect a society marked by contrasts, obsessions, and technological advancements.

Table of Contents

Mourning and Death Rituals

The Victorian era had some of the most elaborate and peculiar customs surrounding death and mourning. These practices were deeply influenced by Queen Victoria's own mourning for her husband, Prince Albert.

Queen Victoria's Mourning: Queen Victoria wore black for 40 years after Prince Albert's death, setting a trend for prolonged mourning. Her seclusion earned her the nickname "The Widow of Windsor."
Mourning Jewelry: Victorians wore jewelry made from onyx or jet and sometimes included braided hair from the deceased. These pieces were both a tribute and a way to keep loved ones close.
Post-Mortem Photography: Families took photographs of their deceased loved ones, often posing them as if they were still alive. These images served as mementos in an era with high mortality rates.
Safety Coffins: Fear of being buried alive led to the invention of safety coffins, which included mechanisms like bells or flags to signal if someone was mistakenly buried.

Beauty and Fashion

Victorian beauty standards and fashion choices were often extreme and sometimes dangerous. The pursuit of beauty led to some bizarre practices.

Arsenic in Cosmetics: Women used arsenic in their cosmetics, believing it kept their skin youthful. This toxic substance caused severe health issues and even fatalities.
Dark Clothing: Due to industrial pollution, women wore dark colors to prevent their clothes from turning gray. Black became a staple in their wardrobes.
Taxidermy Fashion: Hats adorned with taxidermied birds were fashionable, reflecting a fascination with death and nature. This trend showcased the era's unique blend of beauty and morbidity.

Social Etiquette and Entertainment

Victorian society had strict social rules and unique forms of entertainment. These customs reveal much about the era's values and daily life.

Social Etiquette: Women were expected to be properly dressed and ready for visitors between 3 pm and 5 pm. The time of arrival depended on the visitor's familiarity.
Parlor Games: Games like "Snapdragon," where players retrieved flaming raisins from a bowl of rum, were popular at Christmastime. These games provided entertainment and social interaction.
Music Halls: Visiting the music hall was a common pastime for poorer people. For a penny, they could enjoy a variety show, offering a break from daily hardships.

Medical Practices

Medical knowledge and practices during the Victorian era were often rudimentary and bizarre by today's standards. Some treatments were more harmful than the ailments they aimed to cure.

Hysteria Treatment: Women diagnosed with "hysteria" were treated with a "pelvic finger massage" by doctors, leading to an orgasm. This practice highlighted the era's sexual repression.
The Vibrator: Invented as a medical device to treat hysteria, the vibrator was one of the first home electronic inventions, predating household items like vacuum cleaners.
Body Snatching: The demand for cadavers in medical schools led to body snatching. Some snatchers didn't wait for their targets to die, adding a macabre twist to this practice.

Technological Innovations

The Victorian era was a time of significant technological advancements, but these innovations often came with their own set of peculiarities.

The Penny Black: The first postage stamp, introduced in 1840, featured Queen Victoria's image. This innovation revolutionized communication.
Railway Madness: The rapid expansion of railways led to concerns about "railway madness," where passengers were believed to be driven insane by the train's sounds and motion.
Railway Technology: While railways transformed transportation, they also led to overcrowding and poor living conditions in cities.

Obsessions and Collections

Victorians had a penchant for collecting and were fascinated by certain cultures and phenomena. These obsessions often led to strange and sometimes disturbing practices.

Curious Collections: Collecting zoological, botanical, geological, and archaeological items was a popular pastime. These collections were often displayed in "cabinets of curiosities."
Egyptian Obsession: The fascination with ancient Egypt led to the unwrapping of mummies for public audiences. This practice was both educational and entertaining.
Crystal Palace Exhibitions: The Crystal Palace showcased artifacts and dioramas from around the world, including a "human zoo" featuring Somalis brought to London for public display.

Daily Life and Society

Daily life in the Victorian era was marked by stark contrasts between the rich and the poor. Social norms and living conditions varied greatly.

Bathing Machines: Women used "bathing machines" at the beach to change into swimsuits without being seen, preserving their modesty.
Industrialization and Slums: Rapid urbanization led to overcrowded and unsanitary slums. Poor people lived in cramped conditions with limited access to basic amenities.
Charities for the Poor: Organizations like the Salvation Army and Barnardo’s provided food, medical care, and shelter in exchange for labor, although conditions were often poor.

Sports and Leisure

Victorians found new ways to entertain themselves and stay active. Organized sports and leisure activities became an integral part of society.

Organized Sport: The first Rugby Football Union was established in 1871. Sports like cricket and football gained widespread popularity.
Entertainment: Without television, people attended the theater or watched live music performances. These activities provided a much-needed escape from daily life.

Health and Hygiene

Health and hygiene practices improved during the Victorian era, thanks to the efforts of medical pioneers and advancements in public health.

Healthcare Improvements: Florence Nightingale worked to improve hospital cleanliness, significantly enhancing healthcare standards.
Life Expectancy: Life expectancy was low, with nearly 60% of children born to working-class families dying before their fifth birthday. Tradesmen had a life expectancy of 25 years, while laborers averaged 22 years.
Cholera Epidemics: Cholera swept England multiple times, leading to high mortality rates and elaborate mourning rituals.

Miscellaneous Customs

Some Victorian customs were so unique that they defy categorization. These practices highlight the era's quirks and contradictions.

Wife Selling: In some rural areas, husbands auctioned off their wives at the market as a form of divorce. This practice was more common in rural areas.
Spiritualism and Hypnosis: Public events involving hypnosis, séances, and fortune telling were popular. These practices were more about entertainment than genuine spiritual pursuits.
German Influence: Queen Victoria's mother was a German princess, and German was spoken in Buckingham Palace. This influence shaped many aspects of the royal family's life.

The Oddities of the Victorian Era

The Victorian era was a time of stark contrasts and peculiar customs. From elaborate mourning rituals to the use of arsenic in cosmetics, these practices reveal a society both fascinated and repelled by death, beauty, and progress. The era's obsession with ancient Egypt, spiritualism, and even taxidermy highlights a unique blend of curiosity and superstition. Railway madness and body snatching show the darker side of rapid industrialization and medical advancement. Meanwhile, parlor games and organized sports provided much-needed entertainment and social interaction. Despite the bizarre customs, the Victorian era also saw significant improvements in healthcare and transportation, shaping the modern world in unexpected ways. These oddities, while sometimes macabre, offer a fascinating glimpse into the complexities of Victorian life, making it a truly intriguing period in history.

Frequently Asked Questions

QWhat were some of the strangest customs from the Victorian era?

Victorians had their fair share of odd habits. For instance, they often hosted memento mori photography sessions, where they took pictures with deceased loved ones as if they were still alive. Another peculiar practice was turning hair from deceased relatives into jewelry or art, as a way to remember them.

QWhy did Victorians wear mourning jewelry?

Mourning jewelry served as a personal reminder of lost loved ones. Made from the hair of the deceased, these pieces were not just fashion statements but also tokens of remembrance and grief. This tradition underscored the era's deep focus on death and the afterlife.

QHow did Victorians deal with death and mourning?

Death was a prominent part of Victorian life, largely due to high mortality rates. Mourning periods were strictly observed, with elaborate codes dictating everything from clothing to social behavior, depending on one's relationship to the deceased. This period could last for years, especially for widows.

QWere there any bizarre beauty practices in the Victorian era?

Absolutely! Victorians went to great lengths for beauty. Arsenic consumption for a paler complexion and belladonna drops in the eyes to dilate pupils for a more attractive appearance were among the hazardous practices. Lead-based makeup was also used, despite its toxic effects.

QDid Victorians have any peculiar health beliefs or practices?

They sure did. Phrenology, the study of skull shapes to determine character traits, was taken quite seriously. Hydrotherapy, using water for pain relief and treatment, was another popular yet questionable method. And let's not forget the use of leeches for bloodletting, believed to cure various ailments.

QWhat role did etiquette and social customs play in Victorian society?

Etiquette was the backbone of Victorian society, dictating every aspect of life from dining to dressing and social interactions. Strict rules governed behavior, with any deviation seen as a mark of poor breeding or lack of education. This rigidity often led to bizarre practices, like the use of calling cards and elaborate courtship rituals.

QHow did Victorian customs influence modern practices?

While many Victorian customs might seem outdated, they've left a lasting impact on modern society. The emphasis on mourning and remembrance lives on in today's funeral practices. Additionally, the era's focus on etiquette and manners has influenced contemporary social norms, albeit in a more relaxed form.

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