Throughout most of the 19th century Britain was the most powerful country in the world. [15] The period from 1815 to 1914, known as the Pax Britannica, was a time of relatively peaceful relations between the world's great powers. This is particularly true of Britain's interactions with the others. [16] The only war in which the British Empire fought against another major power was the Crimean War, from 1853 to 1856. [17] [13] There were various revolts and violent conflicts within the British Empire, [13] [14] and Britain participated in wars against minor powers. [18] [13] [14] It also took part in the diplomatic struggles of the Great Game [18] and the Scramble for Africa. [13] [14] Petra XCecily wrote: "At a secretarial college a couple of decades ago is infuriating, but not as bad as a female doctor to a female patient in 2018!" CecilyPetra X wrote: "...A doctor shouldn't be suffering from false modesty. It makes me wonder what her culture was...."

Buchanan, R. A. (2011). "Engineering". In Mitchell, Sally (ed.). Victorian Britain An Encyclopedia. Routledge. pp.265–267. ISBN 9780415669726. Richard, Maxwell (2011). "Bicycle". In Mitchell, Sally (ed.). Victorian Britain An Encyclopedia. Routledge. pp.74–75. ISBN 9780415669726. a b c Wohl, Anthony S. (1978). The Victorian family: structure and stresses. London: Croom Helm. ISBN 9780856644382. In contrast to this, in 1851 the Great Exhibition was held in Crystal Palace in London. It was opened by Queen Victoria and showcased new inventions, technology and exhibits from around the world. The exhibition was open for five months and attracted 6 million visitors.In the house I lived the outside toilet is a modern novelty or horror but it was a mains water-fed luxury away from communal toilets or earthen pits for the folk who moved in to them in the 1890s. The coal boiler was a pain to light each day but we had a gas oven, electricity, a twin-tub washer and fridge - the Victorians in Ruth Goodman's book do not and so heating, lighting, cooking, washing and storing food was hard work and a constant struggle with dirt, dust, damp and darkness making life harder. Finding money to fill the larder and coal bunker (or rather get a few lumps of coal) was a constant struggle.

Mitchell, Sally (2011). "Music". Victorian Britain An Encyclopedia. Routledge. pp.518–520. ISBN 9780415669726. Richardson, Ruth (15 May 2014). "Street literature". British Library. Archived from the original on 22 April 2022 . Retrieved 22 April 2022. Woodward, Llewellyn (1962). The Age of Reform, 1815–1870 (2nded.). Oxford University Press. pp.28, 78–90, 446, 456, 464–465. Petra XAnuradha wrote: "Petra X wrote: "Of course I knew what the "vaginal attachment" was all about. I just wanted the author to write about it and not go all mealy-mouthed when it came to anything to do with sex. Also t..."

Family life

My town was in Southern England and surrounded by hills and farms. Yet in Ruth Goodman's book I discover my southern ancestors ate less well and earnt fewer pounds, shillings and pence (mostly pence) than a miner. Miners for all the danger and hard worked earned better wages and so could afford better food (although still a struggle and not Michelin starred food by any means either). Bread was the staple of the south - poor nutritional value white-floured bread whereas mining communities ate potatoes so gained more carbs and nutrients.

Cynda Yes. A Vibrator. Many if the medical devices we have at home started as being only in the doctor's office. In addition to vibrators, there was clerical manipulation. Yep.

The Industrial Revolution

The population of towns and cities rapidly increased in the Victorian period as people moved to find work. Main articles: Political and diplomatic history of the Victorian era and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland The 1830s to 1850s were the heyday of florist's societies: groups of mainly urban working-class men who grew competition-quality blooms. Flowers became their passion. By the 1850s, the middle and upper classes were also discovering the joys of gardening. Women and clergymen especially became keenly involved for the first time. Scheuerle H., William (2011). "Amusements and Recreation: Middle class". In Mitchell, Sally (ed.). Victorian Britain An Encyclopedia. Routledge. pp.17–19. ISBN 9780415669726.