Author: Darrel Pratt

At the beginning of the Victorian period, children could be sent to adult prison. However, in 1854, special youth prisons were introduced to deal with child offenders, called ‘Reformatory Schools’. Other forms of punishment included fines, a public whipping, hard physical labour or being sent to join the army. What punishments did Victorian children get? […]

Poor children went to free charity schools or ‘Dame’ schools (so called because they were run by women) for young children. They also went to Sunday Schools which were run by churches. There they learnt bible stories and were taught to read a little. Did poor Victorian children have an education? Where did poor Victorians […]

In 1880, laws were enforced that meant every child between 5 to 10 had to go to school. For parents of large families who could barely afford enough food, paying a penny a week for their children to go to school was a great expense. When did Victorian children go to school? By 1880, additional […]

It was first awarded in 1856 during the reign of Queen Victoria, and since then has been presented to 1,353 heroic individuals. However, since the Second World War only 15 Victoria Cross medals have been awarded – with ten of these recipients still alive today. Who are the living holders of the Victoria Cross? Name […]

George Cross Total recipients 416 (including 3 collective awards) GC ribbon bar Order of Wear Next (higher) Victoria Cross What is higher than Victoria Cross? The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest and most prestigious award of the British honours system. It is awarded for valour “in the presence of the enemy” to members of […]

Victoria University has campuses in the heart of Melbourne city, and in Melbourne’s cosmopolitan western suburbs. We also have a campus in a vibrant, central area of Sydney. VU’s campuses are easily accessible by public transport. What suburb is Victoria University in Wellington? KelburnThe main campus is in the suburb of Kelburn, New Zealand, overlooking […]

Pickpocketing. Pickpocketing was by far one of the most common types of crime, but there were other issues that dogged society far more than the ruthless and savage tales being published in the papers. Women were most likely to be convicted of crimes such as prostitution and soliciting. What crimes were common in Victorian times? […]

Spain’s former king and queen, Juan Carlos and Sofia, who are the parents of the current king, are great-great-grandchildren of Queen Victoria of England, as were both Queen Elizabeth and her husband, the Prince Philip the Duke of Edinburgh. Is the Spanish royal family related to Queen Victoria? Alfonso XIII, the great-grandfather of Spain’s current […]

first cousin. Albert was Queen Victoria’s first cousin Albert and Victoria were first cousins, sharing a set of grandparents. Victoria’s mother, Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld and Prince Albert’s father, Duke Ernst of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha were brother and sister. Who was Queen Victoria first love? Prince AlbertPrince Albert, also her first cousin, was the love of […]

In 1854 Britain joined the Crimean War on the side of France against Russia. As a female monarch, it was not possible for Queen Victoria to have a traditional military role, she therefore created a new one that focused on the welfare of the troops. What wars did Queen Victoria fight? CRIMEA AND REFORM By […]