Myths About The Victorian Era, Debunked

The Victorian era may be heavily represented in pop culture, through stately period dramas, rollicking novels, and gritty television series, but it's also one of the most misunderstood periods in history. From prudish queens to macabre mourners, myths about the Victorian era persist. These myths and inaccuracies oversimplify a ridiculously complex historical era, as well as its inhabitants.

#VictorianEra #queenvictoria #weirdhistory

[MikaelaKMajorHistory]

Victoria and Albert actually educated their children pretty fairly regardless of gender, Albert probably because he was just a doting parent, and Victoria because she was very limited to education in her childhood and she didn’t like that. Victoria definitely wasn’t the warmest to her children after Albert died, but before then, there’s many personal records of the family enjoying vacations and holidays and Victoria writing about how much she enjoyed one of her young son’s performances on his violin.

[Bubbaist]

I’ve been to countries where people don’t smile for photos because they want to look natural. It seems like smiling for a photo is something people do when cameras become more common. When photos are rare it’s more formal and a rare opportunity to preserve one’s appearance. Once cameras become common they become more about fun.

[jacktribble]

I don't think Steampunk is usually meant to be historically accurate.

[lesberkley]

Victorian upper and middle class morality was partly a reaction to an incurable STD. Infidelity could mean death for you and your partner(s).

[lordtrigon]

As a fan of gothic horror I am quite relieved to find out that the excessive amount of fog back then was *not* a myth. 👍

[travisinthetrunk]

7:48 The reason for the black hat/white hat trope was so that people could see who the good guys and bad guys were on TV in the 1950’s.

[kimberlypatton]

Such a sweetheart to say “I don’t have a joke here, that’s just sad.” Endeared you to me x100 more…

[milhouse]

Some mistakes in this video

0:00 5:40 Downton Abbey, not set during the Victorian era
4:29 17th or 18th century
9:53 10:18 Regency period
10:19 Medieval period

[Violets]

In every story I’ve heard about Queen Victoria she did have favourites one of her sons she was rumoured to be disappointed in because he gambled and publicly was known for attending brothels. Many of her children died young. It was in queen Victoria’s time that lockets were popular and keepsakes like photos with your dead. She was incredibly sentimental and seemed to like her privacy. She didn’t approve of breast feeding and was said to have thought breasts were an intimate thing between couples but this could be because royals typically didn’t breast feed their own children.

[justine]

Love this channel. Education and humor 👍😁

[professorblu]

Part of the reason for the lack of smiling was the condition of people's teeth. There has been a good amount of work on smiling, teeth, and dentistry. I believe one is called The Smile Revolution

[krisdudley]

This channel is amazing! I can't stop watching the videos the content is so compelling. One minute you're learning about the Romans, the next, the wild west, then, Victorians, next up, medieval England and so it goes on. I honestly watch the weird history channel more than I do Netflix now 🤣 Also the guy who does the narration is brilliant. Very informative but throws a nice splash of humour into the mix here and there. Personally I think he deserves a knighthood for services to history! Keep up the good work sir 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[herowither]

TV shows set in the victorian era not having much diversity isn't crazy, since most of those shows focus on stuff like nobility or royalty.

[channellegendarium]

What makes studying the Victorian era jarring (at least for me) is that at times the Victorians seem modern, innovative, and compassionate. And then, you've got many other aspects of their society that are very much the opposite.

[NewMessage]

"No Royal, in the entire history of mankind, has ever been misquoted."
-Louis the 14th

[TheMannyG]

Maybe Prince Albert DID have a genital piercing and that became Victoria's Secret!

[lesberkley]

Another popular belief is that Victorian women were murdered by their corsets. While there were a few 'influencers' who did insist on tight-lacing to a harmful extent, most corsets provided support and shape for the dresses of the period. "Gone With the Wind" was likely the principal source for this misconception.

[marisad]

As someone who’s hosted a podcast on lesser-known aspects of (& debunking myths about) the Victorian Era, I must say: well done!

[RNS_Aurelius]

The main reason Victorians didn't smile in pictures is because they had to sit in front of the camera for around 15 minutes for the photo. Moving would distort the image so remaining neutral and comfortable makes sense. Try holding a smile for 15 minutes without your mouth moving.

[michelepascoe]

Another great video. Love your collection of pictures (a couple from other time periods), your commentary and humour. Most enjoyable.