Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Edward VII was 60 years old when he finally ascended the throne. Named Albert Edward, he took his second name for his title, so as to leave his father's name exclusive to him. Thus he was known as Bertie and never Edward to friends and family. In complete contrast to his mother Victoria, Bertie and his fashionable Marlborough House set, had been the social center of London for many years, constantly shocking the old Queen with (in her eyes) their unacceptable social behavior. His Edwardian era coincided with the Belle Epoch in France that began in the 1890s and ended in 1914 with WWI.
Bertie was a dedicated setter of fashion, and was regarded worldwide as the arbiter of men's style in clothes; those known for their impeccable taste followed his example. He is reputed to have been the innovator of a particular style of less formal, evening wear: an attire devised between him and his tailor .... What was it?
2. The Edwardian era, known as the 'Belle Epoque' in France, represented a period of extreme luxury for the privileged few. Ladies of the day were seen in clothes made from rich, sumptuous fabrics, finished off with exquisite lace. It was a period very different from the rest of the 20th century to come, and was swept away completely by the horrors of World War 1.
However, in the early 1900s the fashionable London lady was not troubled with anything much more taxing than having her new gowns finished in time for the start of the winter season. As a new sense of freedom for women ushered in the new century, the ideals of feminine beauty were changing. What was primarily responsible for this change?
3. The plight of women in the poorest areas of London had not really changed for decades. Although strides had been made in many areas of medicine, poor women were still at the mercy of overcrowded, unsanitary housing, high pregnancy and delivery death rates, disease and drunkenness. Many poor women in London found employment as seamstresses. The hours were long, the pay a mere pittance for what the work was worth, and the working conditions made it little better than slave labor.
At the same time, some wealthy Edwardian hostesses, bored with the endless rounds of parties and entertainments, vowed to help to alleviate the hardship of these poor women, but ultimately these hostesses motives proved to be less than altruistic. Upon what type of endeavor did these ladies embark supposedly to help the poor?
4. High Society in London in the early 20th century had a vast array of different amusements and sporting events to prevent their lives from becoming a total bore. However, the seething masses of poor Londoners had little to alleviate their plight by way of entertainment.
The 1890s had seen a waning in popularity of Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, and the rise of the American musical of the Gershwins, Cole Porter, Jerome Kern etc,. did not take place until after World War I. In the meantime, the vacuum was very successfully filled with the Edwardian musical comedy, and the Variety theatres. They were housed in wonderful large and ornate theatres that sprang up all over the London area.
This form of entertainment was especially suited to the vast numbers of poor, hard-working Londoners. What made this entertainment accessible to so many?
5. All over Edwardian London, on any given day, one could hear the sounds and smells of a vibrant mixture of street industries. They tended to fall under two main categories: those that offered services and those that sold or traded goods. The services available might include chimney sweeps, knife and scissor sharpeners, window cleaners and chair menders. Goods sold included all manner of food stuffs, second-hand anything, fly-paper, kettle holders and flags.
Surprisingly enough one of the more mundane street services had its own trade society. The most prestigious was that of the City of London, but each borough's members sported a different color uniform. What was the service provided by these well-dressed street men?
6. London at the turn of the century was a city whose society was so dramatically separated by class and money, that it was inevitable that certain types of crime abounded. Almost invariably the majority of crimes carried out fell under what I call the Robin Hood syndrome 'stealing from the rich to give to the poor.'
Always present were the street ruffians, ready and waiting for that opportunistic crime, that produced a stolen pocket watch, or a lifted wallet. There were also the teams of confidence tricksters who specialty was as a 'snide pitcher'. What does this person do?
7. If one needed a further contrast between the 'Haves and Have Nots' of London, one need only cast one's eye to lower Regent Street, where one would come upon a house of gastronomy, much frequented by Bertie as Prince of Wales and as King. He lunched frequently at this sumptuously ornate establishment, often taking advantage of their many private dining rooms. Bertie was frequently accompanied on these gourmet junkets by the Marquis de Soveral and Baron Oliveira, regarded as the two greatest epicures in London.
The Cafe Royal had long had a strong connection with the theatrical community, and catered to many of London's theatre-going public. The Cafe Royal was the first restaurant in London to offer a specific way for those that wanted to attend a theatrical performance and have dinner. What was this innovation?
8. In 1908 London was the host city for the Summer Olympic Games. A new stadium had been built at White City, especially for the event and which could hold 68,000 spectators. The stadium track was three laps to a mile. In the center of the track was a swimming pool with diving boards, as well as raised platforms for wrestling and gymnastics. The original distance for the Marathon was changed for these games from 25 to 26 miles, which was the exact distance from Windsor Castle, where the runners started, to White City.
London was not the venue originally chosen for the 1908 Games. Which city was meant to hold the event?
9. The Edwardian era saw an increased interest in the River Thames as a source of fun and amusement for the lower classes. The Thames rises in the Cotswold Hills and flows through Oxford where it is known as the Isis. It continues on through Berkshire, past Windsor, Eton and Henley, home of the Royal Regatta. The upper reaches of the river having always been the playground of the boating wealthy.
What changes took place that made the London reaches of the Thames more desirable for swimming, boating and pleasure cruising for a broader class of person?
10. Dear Bertie, King Edward VII died on May 6th, 1910. Although he was almost infamous for his love of shooting parties, fine dining and liaisons with other men's wives, he was also an important influence upon the world stage, being given the name of 'peacemaker' by many in Europe. He despised and feared his nephew Kaiser Wilhelm ll. His fears proved to be prescient, as Wilhelm manipulated the outbreak of World War I.
Bertie's mistress at his death, the last of a conjectured group of fifty-five ladies, Mrs Alice Keppel, was inconsolable, especially when she was denied access to his coffin by Queen Alexandra. Quite coincidentally, Mrs Keppel was the great grandmother of a present day royal consort. To whom is she related?
Source: Author
Englizzie
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bloomsby before going online.
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