Life in Victorian England Trivia Quiz

Answer: Manners

Legally, Victorian England had two classes: the nobility and the commoners. Among the commoners, there were 'sub-classes', including: the middle class, the working class, the under-class, etc. Most people were born into a specific social class, and they acquired the manners associated with that group. Socially-conscious Victorians could try to mimic the manners of their 'betters,' but this alone would not bring upward mobility. Money, however, could buy one's way into a higher class. Similarly, education could open up vast opportunities for social improvement. Wealthy gentleman went to schools like Eton and Harrow, but men in other social classes began to have more opportunities for higher education as well. Finally, intermarriage among the social classes was possible, and could produce a change in social status. (Victorianweb Website)

Answer: They could not be charged with rape

Aristocrats, comprised mainly of people who inherited their land and who did not work for a living, exercised a great deal of power and prestige in Victorian England. They enjoyed legal and constitutional benefits that were unique to their social class alone. Immunity from rape accusations, however, was not among their birth-right perks. (G. E. Mingay, "Victorian Countryside," 2000).

Answer: The male head-of-household held most legal power

Husbands/fathers in Victorian England had greater legal status regarding property and children. Laws passed late in the 19th century, however, improved the lot of women in both areas. Since fathers were usually remote, all-powerful figures, it is easy to imagine that children spent most of their day with Mother.

In most families, however, this was far from the reality. Upper class mothers hired nannies or governesses whose primary job was the upbringing of children. Working class mothers often had to work outside the home and left siblings to care for one another. Though child-rearing could be an expensive or wearying undertaking, the average Victorian family had six children! And very few children were born out of wedlock. (Beeton, "Beeton's Book of Household Management," 1861).

Answer: Calling an aristocrat by his first name

Among the myriad of social dictates to be followed, the proper usage of names and titles was one of high-priority. Members of the upper and middle classes proudly used titles, or at least surnames, when speaking of one another (e.g. Mr Darcy or Captain Wentworth). Noblemen would often go by their aristocratic titles (e.g., George Chandler, Marquis of Wyndham, would be called "Lord Wyndham"). Married women used their husbands' last names or corresponding titles, while single girls and women would be called "Miss." Even children, from a young age, were encouraged to partake in this social indoctrination. Boys would refer to one another by their family names only, and most children expected their servants to call them "miss" or "master" (Mitchell, "Daily Life in Victorian England," 1996).

Answer: false

Long before Queen Victoria came to the throne, arranged marriages had fallen into a steady decline. People were expected to marry for love--love with many restrictions, that is. Young men and women typically married only within their own social class. Courtship for members of all classes was conducted within the eye- and ear-shot of others. Young women, especially from respectable families, were never alone with young men.

They always had a chaperon hovering nearby. Even among the poorer classes, women were expected to behave modestly around men, and were rarely left completely alone. Young men called on girls, chatted with them in the presence of others, and then, sooner or later, proposed marriage. (Flanders, "Inside the Victorian Home," 2004).

Answer: Besides the landed nobility, few people owned houses

Aristocrats owned lands and houses, primarily through the passing on of estates between family members. The majority of British men and women in the Victorian era, however, did not have the means to buy their own house or land. Renting or leasing a house was the most common housing situation for the majority of people during this period.

Answer: Victorians had a solid knowledge of nutrition

The Victorian diet differed between the classes, with wealthier people consuming more meat and fruit. Members of all classes ate bread, butter, cheese, and potatoes. Overall, the diet was plain fare, but usually plentiful. Almost all food was prepared from scratch. Men dined out occasionally, but ladies very seldom.

While Victorians had relative access to quality foods, they had very little knowledge about nutrition and its impact upon the body.

Answer: Walking

The wealthy could afford coaches, and sometimes even carriages. Pony carts were available, and less expensive than horse-drawn vehicles. Alas, the majority of Victorians relied on their own two feet for transportation.

Answer: Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis was "responsible for one-sixth of all deaths in 1838" alone (Mitchell, "Daily Life in Victorian England," 1996). Many other diseases abounded, including polio, whooping cough, and diphtheria. Unfortunately, doctors had very little knowledge on how to treat most illnesses, and many ended up being fatal.

Answer: Wearing mourning clothes

Both men and women, upon becoming widowed, would wear black or somber clothes as an outward sign of mourning. They would not go in person to tell friends of their loss; cards would be sent out instead. Funerals were held in the morning, and most women would avoid them altogether. Widows were discouraged from leaving their homes and socializing for up to one year, though the restriction was far less stringent for widowers.