Mining in the Victorian Age
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Living history interpreter acting as Sally Fletcher
© National Coal Mining Museum for England (Photo: National Coal Mining Museum for England)
© National Coal Mining Museum for England (Photo: National Coal Mining Museum for England)
The term Victorian was used in the late nineteenth century to refer to British life during the reign of Queen Victoria 1837-1901. Leading up to and during her sixty-four year reign, some of the most important events in British history took place.
At the beginning of Victoria's reign only about 20% of the population lived in towns, but by 1901, when she died, this figure had risen to about 75%. During this period the population of Britain doubled from around 20 million to 40 million. Most people moved to towns to find work in the factories. Rows of poor quality terraced slums sprang up around the factories to house them.
The economic differences between rich and poor became very noticeable. The rich could afford elegant, well-built villas, while the poor had to tolerate the squalor of cramped, back-to-back housing surrounded by noise and filth.
At the beginning of Victoria's reign only about 20% of the population lived in towns, but by 1901, when she died, this figure had risen to about 75%. During this period the population of Britain doubled from around 20 million to 40 million. Most people moved to towns to find work in the factories. Rows of poor quality terraced slums sprang up around the factories to house them.
The economic differences between rich and poor became very noticeable. The rich could afford elegant, well-built villas, while the poor had to tolerate the squalor of cramped, back-to-back housing surrounded by noise and filth.