Timeline: CCU ENGL 300

Part of Group:

See "Adding Timeline and Map Entries" on "The COVE" Moodle tile.

Timeline

Chronological table

Displaying 1 - 50 of 79
Date Event Created by Associated Places
circa. 1454

Gutenberg Bible Printed

Johannes Gutenberg prints first mass producable bible.

Kate Oestreich
circa. 1494

Syphilis

Syphilis is a nasty piece of work. Its exact origins are unknown, but cases began popping up in the late 15th century. Since then, "The Pox" as it's referred to in Britain has tormented people. Today treatment is effective but in the 19th century that wasn't the case. The term syphilis dates back to the 16th century where an Italian poet references a shepherd named Syphilus that became cursed by Apollo. German physician first described the early-stage genital lesions as so cruel and disgusting that nothing else on Earth could compare. After the lesions, or chancre, heal stage two sets in. Stage two consists of a full-body rash, wart-like sores, and flu-like symptoms. This stage is also the most contagious. The third stage is considered the latent stage since there are no physical symptoms, but rather the disease attacks the inner body working such as the brain and heart. This stage could last years until finally, ulcerations appear on the face. Once syphilis enters the nervous system, seizures and dementia can occur. Mercury was a common but expensive cure that also didn't do much good for other body factors. Due to this, public health campaigns began in 19th century Britain that targeted female sex workers as the room of the epidemic. The 1940s saw the invention of penicillin which is used to treat syphilis. But back in the 19th century, that didn't exist and therefore it's plausible it could be hidden within the pages of Anne Brontë's work.

**I'm not adding a picture of syphilis for obvious reasons

https://wellcomecollection.org/articles/XMF0JBEAAI--0OGQ

Melanie Schlesser
1500

Protestantism Reform

The Protestant reform began as an attempt to reform the Catholic Church. Germany was abusing the Catholic Church, one of them was selling indulgence. The reform triumph of literacy due to the printing press. Geneva became the unofficial capital for Protestantism. Protestantism spread from Germany to France. Protestant remind a minority religion. In the 1700s, Protestantism spread throughout Europe.  The Church of England was a result of protestant. The results of this made it where there were higher literacy rates, it lowers the gender gap for school, higher primary education, income differences between catholic and protestant, more working hours, growth in protestant cities, poor relief, and more. some negative outcomes were witch trails. 

I, Lucy am a Protestant. Protestant has been spreading through out France. I feel like M. Paul is getting annoyed with how it spreading. He is my brother or maybe more of a friend. Paul has been watching me now with it spreading. "Lucy, I feel as though you should switch now for that you may lose your job." I looked at him, I know he was watching out for me. "I am fine" I am going to keep my religion. Paul grabs my room, he throws me into the attic once again. "You must stay here until you learn about Catholicism."

Work Cited: 

"Protestantism." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 21 Sept. 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protestantism

"Reformation." Wikipedia,  Wikimedia Foundation, 20 Sept.  2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reformation#

desiree calhoun
circa. 1500

The Short History of the Carriage

The earliest recorded invented carriages go back to 1900 BC from Mesopotamia (Wikipedia contributors).  They weren’t really considered carriages at this time, but instead, would be considered to be what we know as chariots.  Its original purpose was for ease of travel for warriors during battle periods (Wikipedia contributors).  As it evolved, carriages in medieval times had coverings overtop and were reserved for the elite (Wikipedia contributors).  These carriages for the rich and upper-class citizens were pulled by either two or four horses and used wood and iron for the majority of construction (Wikipedia contributors).  In the 1500s, a faster style of the carriage called a coach was invented in Hungary (Wikipedia contributors).  This style of carriage gained traction throughout Europe and became a standard by the 1600s (Wikipedia contributors).  By the time the 18th century rolled around, some people, like Erasmus Darwin, had grown upset with the basic design of the carriage (Wikipedia contributors).  He used it quite a lot for work and found that the front of the carriage would benefit from a pivoting front axle instead of its current structure in order to feel less of the road underneath the carriage (Wikipedia contributors).  By the end of the 1800s, the uses of carriages began to dwindle as steam travel became a primary method of voyage (Wikipedia contributors).   The usage of the carriage was heavy in the early 1800s, as depicted at the end of the novel The Tenant of Wildfell Hall as a primary method of travel for many of the characters.

Wikipedia contributors. "Carriage." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 26 Nov. 2020. Web. 2 Dec. 2020.

Courtney Francis
1558 to 1603

Elizabethan Houses

Between the years 1558 and 1603, Elizabethan architecture was very much in style while Queen Elizabeth was in reign. These manors (mansions) are known for being flamboyant as well as very large. They were made to show off one’s wealth and fortune. Most of these houses, the ones that were rich anyway, were said to have these manors “incorporated with plenty of glass, an extraordinary degree of ornamentation and more rooms for comfortable living - sitting rooms flooded with light, for example” (Arfin). There are quite a few different houses of this type, houses that were built by Robert Smythson. Some of them include Burton Agnes Hall, Hardwick Hall, and Longleat House, and they are said to be some of Smythson’s best work.  Burton Agnes Hall is known for quite a few things: “extraordinarily elaborate carving and ornamentation, particularly in the Great Hall, one of the earliest examples of a newel post supported staircase in England” (Arfin). Hardwick Hall is known for having “more glass than wall” (Arfin) and it was built for a celebrity named Bess of Hardwick. Longleat House is Smythson’s first “inside-out” house and according to Afrin, Queen Elizabeth had been a guest there before the house was ever even completed. These types of houses, Elizabethan Houses, were the houses that many lived in the novel The Tenant Wildfell Hall. Helen Graham had moved into Wildfell Hall, which was said to be an Elizabethan House. This was partly why the Markham family had been so shocked at the fact that Helen had moved in alone and with one servant. 

Arfin, Ferne. “When You've Got It, Flaunt It - A Motto for the Elizabethan Age.” TripSavvy, New-York Presbyterian, www.tripsavvy.com/flamboyant-elizabethan-manors-of-england-1661661.

Gianna Gaetano
1571 to 1862

The Age of Sail

From the mid 16th century to the mid 19th century, sailing was at its all-time peak.  Its height began at the Battle of Lepanto in 1571 and ended during the Battle of Hampton Roads in 1862 (“Age of Sail”).  In this last battle, the use of the steamship the CSS Virginia in the battle destroyed the still sailing ships and proved the power and feasibility of steam-powered sea travel (“Age of Sail”).   Before the decline of sailing, there were many different types of sailing ships for the many different facets of water travel and exploration.  At the beginning of this “Age of Sail”, the most commonly used ship was called a carrack (“Sailing ship”).  These ships were popular because they had large cargo hold capabilities and were easiest for exploration (“Sailing ship”).  In the 1700s, the ships that are popularized in history books are those used in war.  Sailing warships are built to be able to carry a large load of war materials, including, cannons and cannonballs (“Sailing ship”).  The most popular warship in this time period is called the man-of-war.  In the early 1800s, Baltimore clippers became a highly popularized type of ship to use (“Sailing ship”).  They were used to transport valuable, perishable cargo because of their high speeds (“Baltimore clipper”).  They were also used to transport slaves (“Baltimore clipper”).  Lastly, the last ship to experience a great amount of popularity during the “Age of Sail” was the iron-hulled sailing ship (“Sailing ship”).  These ships also moved great loads of cargo like many before them (“Sailing ship”).  After this, the age of sail had ended and steam-powered boats became a primary means of water travel, especially since it was more feasible at this time for steamships to travel on the Suez Canal (“Age of Sail”).

 

Oh, Lucy, I cannot imagine the despair that overtakes you, but I understand it all the same.  You expect your sweet love to arrive home, safe from the outside world to hold in your arms but are met with nothingness. All you have left is the memories and moments you both once shared. My former husband left me a widower just ten fleeting years ago.  I still think of him fondly.  He set out to sail with his closest companions, leaving me with his children, the eldest bearing his name, Charles.  My love told me he’d come back with the greatest of riches, but now, the greatest riches would be to just see his tender face one last time.  I was given word that his boat sank, very similar to your own.  They found the sails and flags on the shore, but not my Charles.   If anything at all, we can say we loved and lost, but we will meet them again.  It may be hard to bear the pain knowing your dear friends, Dr. John and Paulina, and Ginevra and Count De Hamal, are given the gift of seeing each other’s faces each day, but, we have the gift of a great guardian.  While you both practiced separately, you may sleep soundly knowing that M. Paul is smiling upon you each and every night.

 

 Brontë Charlotte. Villette. 1853, The COVE. https://studio.covecollective.org/documents/villette-2. Accessed 23 Sept 2020.

 "File:Portrait of an American Clipper Ship.jpeg." Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository. 13 Oct 2019, 10:32 UTC. 23 Sep 2020, 18:52 <https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Portrait_of_an_American_Clipper_Ship.jpeg&oldid=370381371>.

Wikipedia contributors. "Age of Sail." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 30 Aug. 2020. Web. 23 Sep. 2020.

Wikipedia contributors. "Baltimore Clipper." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 17 Sep. 2020. Web. 23 Sep. 2020.

Wikipedia contributors. "Sailing ship." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 22 Sep. 2020. Web. 23 Sep. 2020.

Courtney Francis
circa. 1600

Introduction of Opium to Britain

Lord Herny is written as looking at Basil "through the thin blue wreaths of smoke that curled up in such fanciful whorls from his heavy, opium-tainted cigarette" (Wilde). The introduction of Opium into British society began in the early 1600s when the East India Company began to trade with India. During this time, other goods were traded from India such as silk and sugar and in return, the British traded back wool and silver. However, by 1773 Great Britain had become the most frequent buyers of opium. Opium was used medicinally to cure pain, insomnia, and dysentery but its most popular use in Britain was recreational. People consume it by smoking it or through laudanum, a mixture of alcohol and opium. It wasn’t until the early 1800s that it was discovered opium was addictive. Many famous writers and poets had become addicted to the drug including Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Lord Byron, and Percy Bysshe Shelley. It was popular because it was usually cheaper than alcohol when in the form of laudanum.  By 1868, laudanum and opium were labeled as poisons and were restricted, only sold through chemists; This means that at the time The Picture of Dorian Gray was published in 1890, the opium smoked by Lord Henry was known to be dangerous.

Oh to feel young again! From the blue vapors of an opium laced cigarette, I feel as though I am free from age. Age is such a fickle thing; I can’t sleep anymore, my knees ache from age. My face is wrinkled. My hair gray. Gray! Can you believe it? The Adonis I once was…now I am old. But when shrouding myself in this blue curtain I feel as though age’s ugly and tattered blanket has been lifted off of me and I am new. I think about my youth (what a fleeting thing it was, like a hummingbird drinking out of a rose) and how invincible and infinite I was. And now look at me, feeling alive only by the inhalation of the sky itself. Sometimes the only thing that puts me to rest at last is a swig of the sweet liquid from a blown amber bottle. Maybe soon I will finally succumb to it, become one with it. Maybe in the sky I will be young and lovely forever. Until then, however, I am stuck on Earth’s crusted plane. Sometimes I think that I must be as old as the Earth, I definitely look as such! For now, I am here with the eternal flame of my opium laced cigarette; us against time.

Works Cited

Cock-Starkey, Claire. “The Lure of Laudanum, the Victorians’ Favorite Drug” Mental Floss, 29 November 2016, https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/89268/lure-laudanum-victorians-favor...

“Drug Use During the Victorian Era”, Victorian Era, 2020, http://victorian-era.org/images/opium-as-medicine.jpg

McNamara, Robert. "East India Company." ThoughtCo, Aug. 26, 2020, thoughtco.com/east-india-company-1773314.

The Editors of the Encyclopedia of Britannica. “Opium Trade”, Encyclopedia Britannica, 12 May 2020, https://www.britannica.com/topic/opium-trade

Wilde, Oscar.The Picture of Dorian Gray. Cove Studio. 1890, https://studio.covecollective.org/anthologies/frankenstein-or-the-modern...

Hannah Yurkin
1600 to 1700

The London Season

Around the 17th and 18th centuries, there was an event known as the “London Social Season,” or the “London Season.” The London Season was originally created to market marriage. At the age of eighteen for a woman, there would be a “presentation of debutantes at court used to traditional marker of the start of the Season” (Lara). These women would come from aristocratic families and they would proceed to be introduced to many bachelors with similar backgrounds. The women would then have to take part in all the events that occurred throughout the season, including balls and parties, and other glamorous events. There used to be certain laws, forbidding “well-born young women” to take part in these events if they hadn’t been “presented properly” (Lara). But Queen Elizabeth abolished the initial ceremony, instead, allowing all different types of women to be presented and allowed to partake in these events. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall brushes upon this, especially when they discuss marriage. In chapter sixteen, Helen Graham is speaking with her aunt about marriage, expressing how she wasn’t sure if she even wanted to wed. Her aunt responded by telling her not to wish for a man to want to marry her, that a woman is supposed to wait until a man offers her a proposal before she can want to be with him. In other words, a woman was supposed to wait to be chosen. She wasn’t allowed to choose a partner herself, only until after the man had proposed to her. Then, she was allowed to decide if she wished to be married to him. The London season did exactly this, and before the parties were over, a woman was supposed to receive at least one proposal from a man. It was a very popular event and something that many surprisingly looked forward to.

Lara Updated May 22, Maria Mercedes, and Maria Mercedes Lara. “5 Things to Know About the British Social Season.” PEOPLE.com, people.com/royals/5-things-to-know-about-the-british-social-season/ 

Gianna Gaetano
1601

Twelfth Night Publication

In 1601, the play, Twelfth Night, was published by William Shakespeare. According to Sparknotes, and in connection to this novel, it has mostly to do with a love triangle between the characters Orsino, Lady Olivia, and Viola. This is significant considering that there seems to be a love triangle between Annabella, Helen, and Arthur. The quote basically means that men's affections come and go but a woman's last forever. This shows the apparent sexism from the 17th century that carried on through the 19th, as Arthur believes it to be true. If the analogy stands true, Helen would be Viola, who Orsino ends up with. This might foreshadow that Arthur stays in love with Helen despite flirting with Annabella. In the play, Viola also dresses up like a man and I think that is significant because Helen has a lot of characteristics of a man; she is very independent and is not afraid of confrontation like a wife of the19th century should have been. Arthur points this out to her by telling her he will not "submit" to her or be "dictated" by her despite her being his wife. I also believe the use of a quote from a play shows Arthur's "playfulness" in that he isn't taking her emotions seriously. This is a common theme in Shakespeare's plays, that women are inferior and should not be taken seriously. These values stay present, at least with Arthur's character though seemingly the other men have the same mindset. Shakespeare sets a precedent in the 17th century with his works about how to treat and see women. Because Arthur uses this quote, it is clear that not much had changed in terms of the treatment of women.  

Works Cited

"Twelfth Night" Barns and Noble. 2020. https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/twelfth-night-william-shakespeare/11166...

"Twelfth Night Act 2 Scene 4" Sparknotes. https://www.sparknotes.com/nofear/shakespeare/twelfthnight/page_88/

Hannah Yurkin
5 Nov 1605

Guy Fawkes Day

Guy Fawkes Day, also known as Bonfire Night, is a British observed holiday that celebrates the failure of the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. The Gunpowder Plot, led by Robert Catesby, consisted of a group of Roman Catholics that were angered at King James I for his lack of religious toleration. This group of Roman Catholics was intent on blowing up the Palace of Westminster or the Parliamentary Houses in hopes of killing all members of Parliament. This murderous act would have led them to reestablish Catholic control of the monarchy and grant them the religious toleration they so desired. Unfortunate for them, they were betrayed and their plans were made public. This would result in the imprisonment and executions of many involved. This day would come to be named after one of the conspirators, Guy Fawkes, who was tried and executed for the plot.

November 5th would come to be declared Guy Fawkes Day, a day in which British citizens would come together in celebration: setting off fireworks, lighting bonfires, feasting, and hosting parades. They would even throw straw versions of Guy Fawkes into the bonfires they made in remembrance of his execution and betrayal to the British government. Fireworks also play a large role in their celebrations as they are thought to symbolize the gunpowder explosives that were never used by the Roman Catholic conspirators. Guy Fawkes Day is still celebrated across Britain, with major celebrations taking place at Lewes in southeastern England. This location has been granted the luxury of various contributions by the six major bonfire societies whose histories stretch all the way back to when the Gunpowder Plot had taken place. 

“Guy Fawkes Day.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., www.britannica.com/topic/Guy-Fawkes-Day.

Michaella Maddalena
circa. 1700 to circa. 1990

Irish White Setter

White Setter comes from Roman History from the origin of "setting dogges". This is an term used to describe setters, whom were used to indicate the location of game birds. Irish Setters were introduced during the early 1700's.  These dogs would freeze and identify the scent of the game birds and would disturb the birds in flight by creeping up on them slowly, allowing the hunter to either release a hawk or use a net to capture them when using hawks was no longer necessary. The setters would allow the birds to be targeted at a steady pace for the hunter to shoot his shot and succeed in his occupation. Irish Setters are keen, wise and intelligent and thrive in a family setting but are persistent and loyal when it comes to their training and work. Irish Setters were mostly white with burgundy patching. Irish Setters were bred until the end of the 19th century, but became less popular in the early 1900's.  In 1976 Irish Setters made a return, once scientifically created and revived by the help of The Irish Kennel Club and The Irish Red Setter Club, they would be used as show dogs with extreme national and international recognition. The Irish Setter is important in the work of The Tenant of Wildfell Hall because the role Gilbert's setter Sancho contributes in this novel. Sancho is mentioned upon the greeting of Helen and Arthur Huntingdon Jr. Sancho plays a significant role while being mentioned over a sequence of times, from beginning to end the dog is known for having a connection with both Gilbert and Arthur and creates a mutual affection and companionship to both characters.

Aubrey Animal Medical Center. “Irish Red and White Setter |.” Aubrey Animal Medical Center, 2020, aubreyamc.com/canine/irish-red-and-white-setter/.

Brontë, Anne. “The Tenant of Wildfell Hall.” COVE Studio, 1847, studio.covecollective.org/anthologies/frankenstein-or-the-modern- prometheus/documents/the-tenant-of-wildfell-hall.

Tyler Bass
1700 to 1857

Parliamentary Divorce

The act of divorce during the 18th and early 19th centuries was not only an issue of sexism but also classism. Only around 300 divorces were finalized before the Matrimonial Causes Act in 1858. The only standards by which a divorce was allowed to be filed was if the wife had committed adultery against the husband. The woman could not even consider divorcing the husband at this point. If the couple was to finalize their divorce the man would be responsible for taking all of the money that the woman entered the marriage with as well as any money she had made throughout the marriage and taking full custody of any children no matter how fit of a parent he would be. If the man were to file for divorce, the woman would have no say in the matter. When looking for a wife, a lot of men would seek out women of high social standings and high-class rank because of their money. They knew that any money that a woman had going into a marriage would be absorbed by their now husband. It did not matter if the husband would beat the wife or the children, women could not do anything to leave their husbands legally. They would have to wait until they died or run away illegally and if they had children, they would have to leave them with the husband or take the risk of endangering them when running away.

Works Cited:

JAMES, D. (2012), Parliamentary Divorce, 1700–1857. Parliamentary History, 31: 169-189. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1750-0206.2012.00310.x

 

Catie Zimmer
1731 to 1922

First Magazine

The Gentleman's Magazine was first made in England in 1731 and founded by Edward Cave, it was printed monthly. This magazine came even before the word came to be 200 years later in Franch. Samual Johnson was the first regular employee for The Gentleman's Magazine. The intention of the magazine was to discuss news and commentary that the public was interested in. Edward used a pen name of "Sylvanus Urban".  The Gentleman's Magazine was the first in England to be published. People could read more information that may have not been talked about. Parliament wanted to ban the Gentleman's Magazine but it survived until 1922. This gives us more information, in the text GIlbert is reading a farming Magaize that comes once a month. Learning that magazine had been around and being published for a while, it shows that it was not uncommon to have a magazine. 

Sources:

"The Gentleman's Magazine" Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 12 Oct. 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gentleman%27s_Magazine#:~:text=The%20Gentleman's%20Magazine%20was%20a,storehouse%22)%20for%20a%20periodical.

desiree calhoun
1770 to 1890

Romanticism (Romantic Era)

The Romantic Era began in1770, but reached its peak between 1800 and 1890. This era produced and inspired some of the worlds greatest works of visual art, music, literateratue, and poetry. It was an intellectual movement that orginated in Europe, and was characterized by its emphasis on emotion and individualism. It also glorified the past and nature. The Romantic Era was a response of many world changing events that came before it, such as The Industrial Revolution, The French Revolution, and The Age of Enlightenment. Aesthetics or esthetics, which is a branch of philosophy that deals with the nature of beauty and taste as well as philosophy of art, was emphisized and said to be the source of intense emotion. Apprehension, horror and terror, and awe were the emotions that were highlighted during this time period. The romantic movement originated in Germany, which mirrored intuition and emotion to that of rationalism and enlighenment, which was the infuences of the French Revolution. Artists such as William Blake, Franscisco Goya, William Wordsworth, Caspar David Friedrich, and Eugene Delacroix, to name a few, portrayed the imortance of free expression in their works, which was one of the primary focuses of romaticism.

I, Lucy Snowe, dare not to imagine a life without the influence of my dearest friend, Dr. John. Although my clandestine efforts to thwart the love he has for Genevra somewhat failed, he and Mrs. Bretton has not ceased in showing me a life past the dreary and dreadful walls of my colorless life. Blessed are the days that I could gaze upon the drawings of such influential artists or my ears be witness to the most beatiful of melodies. With each visit to the theatre my decorum improved vastly from that of the shy English girl who first wondered the streets of Villette. For a fortnite I have had the priviledge to spend my vacation with the Bretton's at La Terrassee, and with this I have traveled to gallery quite a bit to familiar myself with the portraits it held. They all evnoked a feeling of emotion, most of which I have never felt before looking upon them. One that I remeber so well was sturated with crimson and the portrait reveled the most intimate parts of a woman. The room was full of these women and men who gaze upon them with horses and heroic men. Confusing I know, but captivating none the less. My cheeks grew rosy from such vile and seductive portrayal of woman. "Death of Sardanapalus" was the title of the painting. It was said to have been done by and extemely notable artist of the time called Eugene Delacroix. I can't imgine I will continue to be introduced to such amazing things upon my return to Madame Beck and her watchful eye, until then I shall enjoy all that I can. 

Works Cited

Romanticism. Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, September 21, 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romanticism. Accessed September 23, 2020.

Chrissy Dandy
17 Winter 1778 to 29 May 1829

Sir Humphry Davy

Sir Humphry Davy

Chemist and Inventor, Sir Humphry Davy was born in Cornwall, England in 1778. While he has many claims in his field, he is best known for originating the isolation of the elements potassium, sodium, calcium, strontium, barium, magnesium and boron, as well as discovering the elemental nature of chlorine and iodine. He also is credited with inventing the scientific practice of electrochemistry (the branch of physical chemistry that studies the relationship between electricity as a measurable and quantitative phenomenon, and identifiable chemical changes).  

As a youth he practiced chemistry and wrote a rather large collection of poetry, most of which remained unpublished (which he continued writing even into his later years in life). In the scientific field he thrived at an early age, gaining popularity among his peers and some note as a genius.   

He was among the first in his field to have experimented with nitrous oxide and remarked about its potential in the field of anesthetics, noting its numbing or knock out effects. Anesthetics weren’t yet used as a standard in surgical or dentistry settings (it would be decades after his death when the practice would be more readily integrated into surgical settings). His findings and experiments with nitrous oxide made him laugh upon inhalation, so he coined the term “laughing gas,” a phrase that is commonly still in use in modern times. Davy became addicted to the gas, and put himself at great risk with the various experimentation he practiced during his residency at the Pneumatic Institution in Bristol.

Works Cited

Wikipedia contributors. "Humphry Davy." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 26 Nov. 2020. Web. 27 Nov. 2020.

 Wikipedia contributors. "Electrochemistry." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 22 Nov. 2020. Web. 27 Nov. 2020.

 

 

Michael Cormier
23 Mar 1780

First Sunday Newspaper

In the 17th century is when Newspapers started circulating all over the place. In 1665 England had one of the first real Newpapers ever printed. The first successful daily newspaper was printed in Britian in 1702. Canada had their first newspaper in 1752. The first American daily Newspaper was published in 1784. However, almost none of them actually done newspapers on Sundays, that is, until Britain decided to put out their first Sunday Newpaper. They had the British Gazette and the sunday Monitor which was published in 1780 (later to be renamed to The Times in 1788). 

"Dear, do you think the Newspaper has arrived yet? I'm wanting to catch up on some sports and what is going on with the military." says Dr. Dean to his wife. She looks over at him with the most concerned look on her face and says "Have you gone mad? You know we won't recieve the next paper until Monday. Today is only sunday and they don't print the paper on sundays." She goes back to cleaning questioning why this even has to be a conversation. Dr. Dean speaks up "Mary Dear, starting last week they are printing out the papers on Sunday. My cousin up the street recieved one and said we should all be getting them, if we already get the paper, this Sunday. Today is- Sunday. So I will just go see if we have recieved it yet." As Mary is still very confused, she watches her husband walk outside to check their mail. She has heard no such thing about a Sunday paper. but sure enough, she sees him walking back in with one tucked beneath his arm. "Dear would you like to come sit by me and i will read to you all that it says? So we can catch up together!" Mary cracks a smile at her husband and takes a seat. 

Lambert, Tim. “A Brief History of Newspapers.” A History of Newspapers, 2020, www.localhistories.org/media.html.

Graham, Wendy. “Historical Events in 1780.” OnThisDay.com, 3 Jan. 1970, www.onthisday.com/events/date/1780.

Foundation, Wikipedia. “History of British Newspapers.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 8 Aug. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_British_newspapers.

Orah Childers
1789 to 1799

The French Revolution

The French Revolution was a time of rebellion for many of France’s citizens.  The monarchy was overturned and in place, a republic was built for the benefit and fairness of the people.  Historians do not think it was a single event that started this Revolution, but there was some influence from the American Revolution that ended six years previously.  The people of France were also fed up with their conditions and wanted a change.  The poor were especially stricken by unbountiful harvests and the actions of the upper class, further pushing them into submission.  The poor commoners eventually rose up and demanded rights.  They eventually founded the Legislative Assembly, which was later called the National Convention (Wikipedia contributors).  These groups fought the systems in place and were prominent during periods of time like The Reign of Terror.  This period is known for the famous execution of Marie Antoinette.  The guillotine, by which Antoinette was executed, was known to draw crowds for its public executions.  By the end of the revolution, feudalism had been abolished and more power was given to the people through the establishment of republics and democracies (Wikipedia contributors).  This war also inspired many events within it such as the Women’s March on Versailles.  The French Revolutionary War led to people using their freedoms more than ever. 

 Ah, my dear friend Lucy, so brave, yet surrounded by loss.  While I don’t know the girl personally, I wish to regard her as a friend because of her afflictions.  In Charlotte Brontë’s newest novel, Villette, I can easily see the parallels between Lucy and the revolution not so long ago.  She was a young woman born into loss, and while educated, she had to rise above so much that fate had given her.  She as so much said to herself one night, “All at once my position rose on me like a ghost. Anomalous, desolate, almost blank of hope it stood. What was I doing here alone in great London? What should I do on the morrow? What prospects had I in life? What friends had I on, earth? Whence did I come? Whither should I go? What should I do?”  (Brontë).  Her grief and confusions were evident.  At last, she fought the oppression-like system that has put her in such a poor position and fought to get a job for herself and make livable wages.  In the Revolution, my family fought hard to rise up and get the rights they long deserved.  When Antoinette was finally dead and gone, they rejoiced for freedom was now theirs.  I know that once Lucy’s losses set in she felt great grief, but much like the poor commoners not so long ago, she gained the newfound freedom to start again and work for Madame Beck.

Brontë Charlotte. Villette. 1853, The COVE. https://studio.covecollective.org/documents/villette-2. Accessed 7 Sept 2020.

"File:Anonymous - Prise de la Bastille.jpg." Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository. 5 Jul 2020, 12:46 UTC. 7 Sep 2020, 19:03 <https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Anonymous_-_Prise_de_la_Bastille.jpg&oldid=431053895>.

Wikipedia contributors. "French Revolution." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 7 Sep. 2020. Web. 7 Sep. 2020.

Courtney Francis
10 Sep 1797

Death of Wollstonecraft

Frontispiece from WollstonecraftDeath of Mary Wollstonecraft on 10 September 1797. Mary Shelley, Wollstonecraft’s second daughter, was born on August 30th, after which complications from childbirth set in. Wollstonecraft developed a fever, and died on September 10th. She was buried at St. Pancras Churchyard. Image: William Blake's frontispiece to the 1791 edition of Mary Wollstonecraft's Original Stories from Real Life. This image is in the public domain in the United States because its copyright has expired.

Articles

Ghislaine McDayter, "On the Publication of William Godwin’s Memoirs of the Author of A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, 1798"

Anne K. Mellor, "On the Publication of A Vindication of the Rights of Woman"

David Rettenmaier
circa. The middle of the month Spring 1798

"The Idiot Boy" is Published

"The Idiot Boy" is a 453 line  lyrical poem written by famous Romantic era poet William Wordsworth published in 1798. The poem is told from a narrative perspective in which it highlights a boy named Johnny  who's mind is abnormal to those around him. It tells the story of a young  Johnny and his mother Betty who deeply loves Johnny despite him being disabled. The Idiot Boy was very innovatite for it's time in which the it followed rhyme schemes that wasn't typical of poets during the Romantic Era. The plot of the poem presents a sense of simplicity as it points to underlying themes of affection, love, and friendship, and prejudice. The poem makes an appearance within The Picture of Dorian Gray as a form of representation of the art  & literature present at the time.

https://owlcation.com/humanities/William-Wordsworths-The-Idiot-Boy

The_Idiot_Boy

Taylon Anderson
1800

marriage for the 19th Century

Its commonly known that marriage now-a-days goes a lot differently that it did in the 19th Century. During the 19thcentury when women got married in Britain, their laws was based on the concept of the husband having to take care of their wives. When a women would get married, she would give all of her money and/or her possessions to her husband and women weren’t really allowed to have their wealth if they were to leave the husband. There was a Act that was passed that gave the husbands a right to leave their wives if she was to cheat on him and once divorced, the husband would gain custody of their child (if they had one) and the mother can be prevented from seeing her child. However, if a woman caught the man cheating, she was not able to leave him and the Act that set this law was the Matrimonial Causes Act which had been passed in the 1850’s. Which is so crazy to think about because a woman is literally stuck in whatever relationship she ended up having. If the husband cheats on her or abuses her, she has to stay and if she leaves, she has to almost run from her husband and hide from him. But the husband can leave the wife if she cheats but then she is branded a cheater and risks losing the rights to seeing their child or children. Its honestly so hard and weird to see the difference between what is fine now and excepted now, but a woman did not have the right to do in the past.

Orah Childers
1800

The St. Bernard Hospital

Asylums was a place where people would be sent when they were considered “insane” and in too many cases if you were admitted to an Asylum, you very well could never leave because you would never be considered “cured”. In the 1800s there were several Acts that had been passed regarding building Asylums and in 1808 there was an Act passed which gave county’s the ability to start building Asylums from financing from the local rates (so like taxes). One of the Asylums from this time was known as the St Bernard’s Hospital (also known as Hanwell Insane Asylum and the Hanwell Pauper and Lunatic Asylum) and in 1831 was opened to be the first Asylum in Middlesex County. One of the first superintendents was Dr. William Charles Ellis who had been known for his work of “great principle of therapeutic employment” an many thought his type of therapy was resulting in a supposed speedy recovery for the patients. Due to this speedy recovery they were having, this pleased the Justices of the Peace because is was cutting the cost of having long term patients, which one of the biggest problems with Asylums was patients checking and there was no telling when they were going to check out because they “never get better” only worse dude to conditions. When the third superintendent became to authority he made in the institution famous for having all mechanical restraints (which I don’t even know if that sounds completely safe to me? However what do I know).

Orah Childers
Autumn 1806 to 1808

Marmion: A Tale of Flodden Field

Clara De Clare

A piece of romantic historical fiction written by Sir Walter Scott; Marmion was published in 1808. Scott, who was a Scottish historical novelist, playwright and historian, worked on Marmion for the better part of two years. He had an extensive catalog of literary works that have stood the test of time, remaining classics to this day. Some pieces of note include: Lady of the Lake, Waverly, Old Mortality, Rob Roy, The Bride of Lammermoor and Ivanhoe. Scott finished publishing in London in 1808. A total of 2000 copies were printed. Later that same year a second and third printing were executed at 3000 copies each. 

Marmion itself is a poem written in verse (six cantos, each with an introductory epistle) taking place in the 16th century, cementing Scott's role as historical writer. The poem is about Lord Marmion who lusts after Clara de Clare, a woman of wealth. He and his mistress, Constance De Beverly, a nun of ill repute, forge an alliance and concoct a letter fingering Sir Ralph de Wilton (Clare's fiancée) in treason. Constance only aids Marmion in an attempt to once again find herself in his good graces. After a duel between the men, Marmion rises the victor, prompting Clare to refuse his advances, opting to join a convent instead. 

Constance is abandoned by Marmion and left to a grim fate of being walled up in the Lindisfame Convent for her treachery. She provides the Abbess with enough information proving De Wilton's innocence. De Wilton returns in disguise in an attempt to thwart Marmion in a plot of revenge. However, those plans are cut short by the Battle of Flodden, where Marmion dies. De Wilton, the hero of the story, honor regained, marries Clare at the end of the poem. 

Marmion was a success with the public and remained popular for over a century. 

 Work Cited: 

Wikipedia contributors. "Marmion (poem)." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 3 Oct. 2020. Web. 27 Nov. 2020.

Wikipedia contributors. "Walter Scott." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 20 Nov. 2020. Web. 27 Nov. 2020.

Michael Cormier
1808

Marmion is Published

Marmion by Sir Walter Scott was published in 1808 and is an epic poem about the Battle of Flodden Field. According to the Edinburgh University Library website, it is about Sir. Marmion and his conquest of Clara de Clare. In order to get rid of her fiance, De Wilton, and marry her, he frames him for treason. However after he frames De Wilton, Marmion dies in the Flodden Field and De Wilton is able to marry Clara instead. Marmion is the poem Gilbert gives to Helen and I think this is significant in perhaps foreshadowing Helen's past and/or the conclusion of the novel. It is already clear that Helen has two love interests, Gilbert and Authur, so it does not seem too far fetched to think that one might either die in pursuit of her or one will try to make the other look bad to win Helen over.
According to the Victorian Era website, books were one of the four presents a woman could take from a man, though it was seen as an intimate thing. I think this is important to note when thinking about Helen and Gilbert's relationship. Helen is apprehensive about taking the book without paying for it at first. But when she does take it, it seems to be a sign that she likes him in some way. I would also like to point out the fact that Gilbert even presents her with this. It is a romantic poem so not only is it making his intentions clear but it is also more than Authur did for her (at least as of chapter 23). This helps to show the different dynamics of Helen's relationships.

Works Cited

"Marmion" Edinburgh University Library, 19 Dec. 2011, http://www.walterscott.lib.ed.ac.uk/works/poetry/marmion.html

"Marmion A Tale of Flodden Field" Project Gutenburg, 14 Oct. 2001, https://www.gutenberg.org/files/4010/4010-h/4010-h.htm

"Victorian Era Courtship Rules and Marriage Facts" Victorian Era: From Georgian to Edwardian, http://victorian-era.org/victorian-era-courtship-rules-and-marriage.html

Hannah Yurkin
circa. 1811 to circa. 1830

The Regency Period

Prince George Regent

In 1810, King George III was declared incompetent to rule because of his mental incapacity. The Regent Act was passed the following year in 1811. The Regent Act being passed, gave his son Prince George, Regent the capability of ruling in efforts to take over for his father. This regency lasted until 1820, when unfortunately King George III had lost his fight to his illness. In 1820, Prince George became King George IV instead of The Regent after his father's death and could take control of the reign and rule under his own right. The Regent is important because during this time Prince George had created this idea of "elegance" and "charm" and influenced many works of art, that were considered romance at the time. This is a huge social and cultural movement at this time, in which created the first time where you had the freedom to express yourself in ways that seems unfit previously. The Romantic Movement started in the beginning of his Regency. This was a time for wonderful and fine literature, incredible shift in style and overall a captivating elegance that changed the streets of London. This is considered a time for "low morals" and "high fashion". I find this event quite interesting in the events of Arthur consistently leaving Helen to be by herself, while he indulges in the London life and parties his way through this time period. Arthur lacked elegance in many ways, but when Helen had first met him she thought he was handsome and elegant. The Regency Period is the first time period where handsomeness and low morality is accepted after King George III passes away, leaving his pretty boy son in charge and creating chaos and giving the young people the fascination of being intimate and having the freedom to do so.

Works Cited

Brontë, Anne. “The Tenant of Wildfell Hall.” COVE Studio, 1847, studio.covecollective.org/anthologies/frankenstein-or-the-modern-prometheus/documents/the-tenant-of-wildfell-hall.

Townhouse , Regency. “The Regency Period.” The Regency Period | The Regency Town House, 2015, www.rth.org.uk/regency-period.

Tyler Bass
Apr 1815

Mount Tambora

The 1815 eruption of Mount Tambroa is known as the deadliest and most powerful volcanic eruption in human history. It was located on the island of Sumbawa which is now know as Indonesia. The blast was said to have been heard up to 1,600 miles away. The entire world was affected by the ash from the eruption column, which is the cloud of gas that is suspended and emitted during an explosive volcanic eruption. This cloud caused major climate problems througout the world by lowering temperates and coining the terms "A Year Withoug a Summer", "Poverty Year", and "Eighteen Hundred and Froze to Death" in 1816. It also had a huge negative effect on plants and terrain worldwide causing harvest failures everywhere. All vegetation was destoyed on the island, and pumice ash washed across the sea forming rifts up to three miles. The eruption took place in April and smoke was still being emitted in late August. Even more rumblings and aftershock were still being heard until August of 1819. Approximately 71,000 people perished in this insane eruption. Not all human beings died from the volcano ittself. A large number of people died from starvation and disease. Here is a quick video about the eruption

About 38 years ago in 1815, there was a horrible volcanic eruption that took place far away. In Charlotte Bronte's newest novel entitled Villette, she alludes to this catastrophe while describing the horrors of a terrible storm. "...that we often at the same time hear of disturbed volcanic action in distant parts of the world; rivers suddenly rushing over their banks; and of strange high tides flowing furiously in low sea-coast...the feeble amongst us with in her distempered breath, rushing hot from steaming volcanoes." (Bronte) Similar to these storms, diseases, and volcanoes we know not much from where they come, but that they very often end in death. Living in a time of such uncertainty makes anyone question the darkest cloud or the slightest cough. In Charlotte Bonte's novel she conveys the fears that are possessed by the masses all over England. Having experienced the painful death of her aunt, who was to care for her and her sisters after the death of her mother, while at boarding school, this novel is loosely based on some of the trials she has faced. Villette is a potent and sophisticated piece of writing by the young Charlotte, and it gives fantastic insight of what its like to be a female in today's reign of Queen Victoria, God bless the Queen. 

Works Cited

"1815 eruption of Mount Tambora." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation,  September 3,2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1815_eruption_of_Mount_Tambora. Accessed September 6, 2020

"Charlotte Bronte." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, September 5, 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlotte_Bronte

Bronte, Charlotte.(1853) Villette. [online] United Kingdom: Smith, Edler & CO. Avalible from: Cove Studio [accessed September 2020].

Chrissy Dandy
1817

The Pocket Lavater Published

"The Pocket Lavater; Or, the Science of Physiognomy" was written by Giambattista della Porta and Johann Caspar Lavater and was originally published in 1817. This manual enabled people to carry a physiognomic guidebook around with them, thus being able to make interpretations and judgments wherever they may be. Physiognomy is the studying of a person's facial features or expressions in order to assess their character or personality. Because of the research of Johann Caspar Lavater, the practice became very popular in Europe during the 1800s, as he regarded it as "a way to access the invisible internal through the external and to provide additional information about the works of the Creator." Physiognomy helped people to understand the growing population and predict the character of others that they meet. Some that follow this pseudoscience believed they could use it to predict who may commit crimes or pose a threat to society, but this became an issue of personal bias. Unfortunately, physiognomy was used for racial stereotyping and oppression, and presented the risk of incriminating innocent people simply because they may possess facial features that suggest they are a criminal. Although physiognomy was largely supported by the scientific community, some scientists, such as Charles Darwin, were more skeptical and believed it to be too subjective. This is important to remember when reading The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, as Helen Huntingdon proclaims herself an "excellent physiognomist." Physiognomy is mentioned three times in the novel, and Helen uses her self-proclaimed skill to defend Arthur's name against her aunt's judgments.  Helen suggests to her aunt that she can tell he is a good man just lacking guidance, but she, in fact, read him incorrectly. 

Work Cited

Brontë, Anne. "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall." COVE Studio, 1847, https://studio.covecollective.org/anthologies/frankenstein-or-the-modern-prometheus/documents/the-tenant-of-wildfell-hall.

"Physiognomy in 19th Century Britain." Pagans & Witches, AminoApps, 26 March 2019, https://aminoapps.com/c/pagans-witches/page/blog/physiognomy-in-19th-century-britain-intothepast/xpdX_JM6s2u0mdYKD8pnK8vDNpRXl5EQwD.

Savannah Funderburk
1818

Mary Shelley, Frankenstein (1818)

Frankenstein, Mary Shelley 1818

Summary:

Initially, the novel begins with a captain who wishes to be the first to go to the North Pole. However during such pursuit, he stumbles upon Victor Frankenstein, who, when asked how he got to such a place, begins to tell his tale as he speaks on his childhood and curiosity with science. He then goes on to explain how he went to an university with his best friend, Henry, where he pursues the same knowledge he learned from the books he read when he was young. It is here does he first gets the idea to build his creature. He explains he has done so successfully, yet terrified by his creation, and ran away back to Geneva to continue his life.

From that point on, the creature, saddened due to his abandonment and constant beratement, pursued Victor and his family in order to learn why his master and creator has made him only to abandon him. The creature first attacks and kills William, Victor’s brother, which he plants on Justine leading to her death. This causes Victor to confront him. It is then that the creature tells his tale, and threatens Victor to make him a companion, or he will be with Victor on his wedding night. Victor complies only for a moment before he is madden about wasting his time, and destroys his project before he even finishes. With that, he goes to marry his fiance, Elizabeth, and as predicted, he is visited by the creature who kills his wife. The novel then comes full circle back to the beginning as The Captain now knows Victor and the creature are pursuing each other across the North pole. Victor then dies, and the captain watches as the creature cries over his body.

Humanness:

Frankenstein’s monster was inorganically created using human body parts, making him primitive form of Artificial Intelligence. Frankenstein “worked hard for nearly two years, for the sole purpose of infusing life into an inanimate body” (Shelley, 35). He created life where life seemingly could not be created, and was so horrified by his creation that he abandoned it and fled. The scientific assembly of his body makes the creature “artificial,” and the creature was created in such a way that gives him the capacity to imitate and gain intelligence. Like modern day representations of A.I., Frankenstein’s monster learns through observation and imitation. When the creature is hiding, he observes the occupants of the neighboring cottage through a crack in the wall. He notices they communicate through language, and mimics their mouths and the sounds, developing an understanding of their language and a means to communicate. Frankenstein’s monster is not human, but it closely resembles humans: it is beautifully built yet terribly ugly. Because of its horribly close resemblance to humans, its flaws reveal problems of our human society.

Fear: 

Fear itself can distance the human from numerous negative associations that are actually exclusively connected to humanness. Frankenstein’s creature is a monster; “monster” in itself is a word that seems to lie on the opposite of human, the human’s enemy by design. Yet, the creature’s origins lie in the human desire to create; his teachings in morals strictly coming from the way humans around him treat him and themselves. Even the pieces that make up his physical composition are human body parts. Yet he is the ‘unknown’ or must remain that way to in order to stop the real fear of self-reflection amongst society and the questioning what humanness actually is. That is to say, it can be seen as quite a human trait to be affected by corruptive environments; to manipulate and lie much like the creature did for Justine when he framed her for William's death. To seek revenge for mistreatment and abandonment. This is true fear: to see monstrous traits as human. 

Sources:

Frankenstein, Mary Shelley 1818

Image 

-Hannah and Kayla

Hannah Resnick
1819

The Term "Dipsomania" is Coined

Dipsomania was coined in 1819 by German physician  Christoph Wilhelm Hufeland, and is a historic term that is no longer in use. Merriam Webster Dictionary defines dispomania as ‘an uncontrollable craving for alcoholic liquors’. While similar to alcoholism, this term was considered to be a medical condition, where a person craved alcohol due to a ‘disease in the brain’, and it became a popular term in medical communities. By describing someone as a dipsomaniac rather than a drunk, addict, etc, it would have casted them in a better light, as it was considered to be a medical condition that you could not help, but could potentially be fixed. One of the major differences between alcoholism and dipsomania was that dipsomania was considered to come upon someone very suddenly, where they an uncontrollable need for alcohol that last for a fairly short period of time-no longer than a few weeks. This made it especially seem more like an illness, where with alcoholism, people drink alcohol over long periods of time, and not as desperately. 

We can see examples of dipsomania in a few characters in The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, including Arthur Huntington and some of his friends. In addition, it has been argued that the character of Arthur Huntington was based on Anne Brontes brother Branwell, who died of alcoholism and could have been considered a dipsomaniac. 

“Dipsomania.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dipsomania. Accessed 24 Nov. 2020.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dipsomania

Sarah Henning
1823

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

The first edition of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein was published anonymously in 1818, but the version with her name on the cover wasn't published until 1823. Shelley gained inspiration from traveling around Europe with future husband Percy Shelley and Lord Byron. They participated in ghost story telling competitions while traveling around, which is where some of her inspiration came from. Frankenstein tells the tale of Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist who creates a hideous creature and the trials of the creature after being abandoned by Frankenstein. The novel implements the frame story narrative style of storytelling, which was unique at the time. Her novel fuses together the genres of Gothic fiction with the notions of the Romantic movement. It's also seen as early science fiction work. The idea for the novel came to Shelley in a dream that later became the basis for Frankenstein. Mary Shelley's novel was hugely influential on the world of science fiction and horror. Image source: http://frankensteinia.blogspot.com/2008/08/mary-shelley-meets-frankenste...
Caroline Brown
circa. 1824 to circa. 1840

Bloodletting

Bloodletting, the withdrawal of blood from patients to prevent or cure illnesses, first began over three thousand years ago in Egypt, but became very popular in Europe during the eighteenth and nineteenth century. Blood was drained by the use of phlebotomy, cutting open a vein with some sort of tool, or with leeches and was done so to treat fevers, hypertension, pulmonary inflammation and edema. Depending on the disease or illness, bloodletting would be conducted in different areas of the body, but it was traditionally performed at the elbows and knees. Most of the time, blood would be drained until the patient reached syncope, a state of unconsciousness caused by a lack of blood flow to the brain (fainting). A loss of a large amount of blood can severely lower a person's heart rate and leave them in a calm, tranced state, as seen in The Tenant of Wildfell Hall with Arthur Huntingdon. Arthur treated Helen with the utmost disrespect while she tended to his every need, often very agitated and aggressive towards her. After being bled, Mr. Huntingdon became tranquil and accepting of Helen's services. He was the most pleasant when he was subdued by bloodletting. The popularity of bloodletting began to diminish after 1834, when Pierre Charles Alexandre Louise, referred to by many as "the father of modern epidemiology," presented evidence that bloodletting was ineffective in treating pneumonia. During the 1840s and 1850s, studies conducted by Louis Pasteur and Robert Koch destroyed the credibility of bloodletting in treating inflammation. Despite the notion that it may be ineffective and more dangerous than helpful, bloodletting continues to be used in alternative medicine today. 

Work Cited

Bell, Timothy M. "A Brief History of Bloodletting." 2016. PDF File. 

Brontë, Anne. "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall." COVE Studiohttps://studio.covecollective.org/anthologies/frankenstein-or-the-modern-prometheus/documents/the-tenant-of-wildfell-hall

Savannah Funderburk
circa. 1825

Rise in Popularity of Antimony or Tartar Emetic

antimony cups

Although the chemical, antimony, is part of the periodic table as a metalloid that was grinded down to power and used in medicine and cosmetics since ancient Roman times, it wasn't until the nineteenth century that the popularity of it grew larger. Antimony was often compared to arsenic, which is also a chemical element and has similar properties. It's comeback was the result of antimony being banned for one hundred years in France, but antimonial cups continued to be sold and used until the late eighteenth century.  During the period of the revival of medicine, which dates from 1500s to 1825, antimony was vastly used by chemists and physicians to find a universal remedy for a great number of diseases. Antimony found its way into almost every medicine chest during the victorian era in the form of tartar emetic. Small silver cups mentioned before, made of pure antimony, was used to store wine for twenty four hours. The reaction that occured from the wine and the chemical in the antimony produced an emetic effect when consumed, which was to induce vomiting, and made it very popular in medicine during this time period. The year 1825 brought on the acceptance of orally administered antimony under the influence of cultured Victorian physicians. Outside of the medical field, this compound inspired and aided in the crimes of people like George Chapman, who was a serial killer in England and poisoned his victims with antimony. Chapman was also suspected to be Jack the Ripper. This is also how Helen succeeded at deterring Arthur Jr. from wanting to drink alchol. By her adding a little bit of tartar emetic to his brandy or wine, it made him violently sick. By him associating being sick with drinking, he soon gave it up. 

Works Cited

"Antimony." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 23, November, 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antimony 

"Antimonial Cup." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 4, November, 2020, en. wikipedia.org/wiki/Antimonial_cup

Hussey, Dr. Kristen. "May God Protect Us From such drugs and physicians! : A 17t Century Antimony Cup." Royal College of Physicians, 2018, history.rcplondon.ac.uk

Chrissy Dandy
The start of the month Feb 1826

University College London

In 1826 London University (its original name) was established fro the radical ideas of founder Jeremy Bentham. This was the first university to be establishe in London at the time and the first in England to accept any student no matter their religion. They were also the first insitution to accept women. Their motto is "Let all come who by merit deserve the most reward" and is now known as the Univeristy College London. 

Dear Dairy , As i past by the big brick building I see a sign that reads "London University" i think to my self "this is it. This is my future." I stare down at the acceptance letter and cannot believe that me, a jewish woman, will finally be able to expand my horizons. I have made it in and i will be able to accomplish everything I want. Im off to do great things. Sincerly Meridith.

(Three weeks later) Dear Dairy, You will not believe all the things im learning. The thrill i recieve from walking to and frokm class. How no one cares what religion i am or what gender i am! So far im passing all my classes and my mother writes me often to tell me about her and father and how much they miss me. I miss them too. But the more time i spend here, the more i fall in love with my education. London Univeristy is the best thing that has every happened to me. I'm so thankful for this amazing opportuinty. With other woman along side me. Im off to my class for the day. Until next time i write. Sincerly Meridith.

Wikipedia, Foundation. “Religion in London.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 11 Feb. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_London.

wikipedia, foundation. “University College London.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 14 Sept. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_College_London.

(I couldnt find the author but thats probably becasue I'm blind. Sorry )

Orah Childers
1829

The United Kingdom's Temperance Movement

In the early 19th century, groups began to form in order to advocate for abstinence from alcohol.  The first of these groups was called Glasgow and West of Scotland Temperance Society and it was founded in 1829 (Wikipedia Contributors).  Before this, there were no such ideals to abstain from drinking wine, beer, or distilled spirits; it just wasn’t in the culture at the time. Besides the first group mentioned, many other groups also gained traction as they were supported by Christian churches. At the time, working-class men in England did not have the right to vote, and they wanted to prove themselves to their parliament (Wikipedia contributors).  They began the temperance movements in order to garner enough respect the earn the right to vote from the rich and elite.  Stopping their consumption of alcohol was supposed to demonstrate their dedication and ability to take on the responsibility to vote.  Specific groups were created over periods of time dedicated to the different aspects of drinking.  In 1847, a group was created to help children abstain from the activity of drinking (Wikipedia contributors).  Most of these temperance groups were aimed at the working class since they had less resources than the elite (Wikipedia contributors).  This temperance movement was against all forms of alcohol; wine, beer, and distilled spirits were all entirely prohibited for those who were involved in this stand against alcohol.  This timeline entry particularly applies to The Tennant of Wildfell Hall since it was apparent that the characters drank, but also had guests over that chose to abstain from drinking and drunkenness. 

Wikipedia contributors. "Temperance movement in the United Kingdom." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 22 Nov. 2020. Web. 2 Dec. 2020.

Courtney Francis
1829

The Rocket

The Rocket was a steam engine that was built in Newcastle upon Tyne by Robert Stevenson in 1829. The Rocket exhibited its potential as safe and fast transportation by winning the Rainhill Trials in October of 1829.

The significance of the Rocket’s reputation is established within the first minute of the BBC’s 1994 adaptation of George Eliot’s Middlemarch (1872). The TV series opens with a middle-aged sheep herder walking along a country road. He is passed by a stage coach carrying the young new doctor, Lydgate, to Middlemarch. As the stagecoach approaches town, Lydgate says “Look” and the camera pans from the stagecoach, over the workers laying train tracks, to the slowly advancing steam engine. Already we can see modern transportation is coming to the town of Middlemarch but has not of yet been adopted to transport citizens between cities. Therefore, the locomotive’s presence in the town establishes Middlemarch as a place on the cusp of modernity, which will change the scale, pace, and pattern of the citizens’ lives. The steam-engine is not mentioned in Eliot’s novel until far later in the narrative when Will Ladislaw remarks, “America and the steam-engine. Everything you can imagine!” (Chap. XXI). By listing the steam-engine in the same sentence as America, the invention becomes a symbol or freedom, modernity, fantasy (or imagination). By contrast, “Women both old and young regarded travelling by steam as presumptuous and dangerous, and argued against it by saying that nothing should induce them to get into a railway carriage” (Chap. LVI). This contrast pits young men like Ladislaw against all women in the pursuit of dreams and adventure.

Men laying train tracks in Middlemarch (BBC)

Works Cited

Eliot, George. Middlemarch. 1872, The COVE. https://studio.covecollective.org/anthologies/ccu-fa-20-engl-231-9838d03.... Accessed 2 Sept 2020.

Middlemarch, episode 1, BBC 2, 1996. Films on Demandhttps://fod.infobase.com/p_ViewVideo.aspx?xtid=138697&tScript=0.  

"Stephenson's Rocket." Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephenson%27s_Rocket. Accessed 3 Sept 2020.

Kate Oestreich
1830

"Last Days of a Philosopher" Published

In 1830, Consolations In Travel; Or, The Last Days of a Philosopher was published posthumously from the collection of Sir Humphry Davy after complications from a stroke lead to his death at the age of 50 in 1829. With this work being described as a "somewhat freeform compendium of poetry" and "thoughts on science and philosophy," Davy's final publication was incredibly popular despite his preceding death-- with his multi-genre book becoming a staple of the scientific community as well as family libraries for several decades after his death ("Humphry Davy"). Referred to by Anne Bronte with the shortened title "Last Days of a Philosopher," Davy's work is directly referenced in Chapter 15 of The Tenant of Wildfell Hall in a scene where Gilbert Markham comes across a copy of the book in Helen's possession with the name "Frederick Lawrence" inscribed on the front leaf (Bronte). Anne Bronte's reference to Sir Humphry Davy's final work by both name and author helps not only to solidify the cultural significance of Sir Humphry Davy in the 19th Century, but it also helps ground The Tenant of Wildfell Hall in reality, by providing a real-world text to be alluded to by the characters in Bronte's novel. Although "Last Days of a Philosopher" is well known for its' controversial approach to answering "the questions of the universe" through science, Sir Humphry Davy's reputation seems to outlive his published works-- as he is considered by Cambridge to arguably be the "first celebrity scientist... whose popularising of science made him famous" (Cambridge). 

Works Cited

Bronte, Anne. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. 1848. The COVE. https://studio.covecollective.org/anthologies/frankenstein-or-the-modern.... Accessed 29 Nov 2020.

"Humphry Davy." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation. 26 Nov 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humphry_Davy. Accessed 29 Nov 2020.

Davy, Humphry. "Consolations in Travel Or, The Last Days of a Philosopher." Cambridge University Press, Cambridge University Press 2020, 6 May 2013, https://www.cambridge.org/us/academic/subjects/general-science/history-s.... Accessed 29 Nov 2020.

Kyle Blandford
1830

The publication of Consolations In Travel; Or, The Last Days of a Philosopher 1830

Sir Humphry Davy who would come to be known as the first celebrity scientist turned to writing as he began preparing for his final days. While being a man of science his love of poetry would become apparent in Consolations In Travel; Or, The Last Days of a Philosopher which was published posthumously in 1830. Davy discusses everlasting concepts while on his deathbed which after the publication, would become a staple in the scientific community and general public. Anne Bronte references this work by title in her novel The Tenants of Wildfell Hall in which one of the main characters is in possession of the book. Davy was a ‘jack of all trades’ in the science community engaging with an array of complex topics such as inventing the field of electrochemistry, and discovering multiple elements which ultimately led to his work with nitrous oxide in which he coined the term ‘laughing gas.’ The reference to this book by Bronte shows just how influential Davy and his literature are to the world. 

 

Bronte, Anne. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. 1848. The COVE. https://studio.covecollective.org/anthologies/frankenstein-or-the-modern.... Accessed 2 Dec 2020. 

Davy, Humphry. "Consolations in Travel Or, The Last Days of a Philosopher." Cambridge University Press, Cambridge University Press 2020, 6 May 2013, https://www.cambridge.org/us/academic/subjects/general-science/history-s.... Accessed 2 Dec 2020.

"Humphry Davy." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation. 2 Dec 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humphry_Davy. Accessed 2 Dec 2020.

Phillips, T. (1821). Sir Humphry Davy [Digital image]. Retrieved December 03, 2020, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humphry_Davy#/media/File:Sir_Humphry_Davy,...

 

donovan moore
circa. 1830 to circa. 1890

Victorian Era Fashion

The Princesse de Broglie (1851-1853)

With the rise of the Industrial Revolution and advancements of mass production, the Victorian Era saw a drastic change in the availability of garments to choose from. No longer would the ladies of upper middle-class London be shackled to high-priced tailors and dressmakers. The production of sewing machines allowed for mass quantities of dresses to be made, in a variety of styles and a plethora of synthetic dyes gave all of these dresses their own unique flair. Department stores sold these dresses at affordable prices, something unheard of in an age of custom clothing. Fashion magazines were on the tables of everyone in high society and displayed the newest trends, the desire of any budding socialite. 

Less was required of women during this time, and many would marry and give up work entirely. Their dress became less utilitarian and more ornamental. The higher the class, the more ornamentation. The ideal features of Victorian dress were meant to produce a long torso emphasized with wide hips. Dress would start with a low shoulder neckline called a Bertha, which revealed a large span of flesh that the working class were not allowed. Corsets (while quite uncomfortable and posing health risks) were also popular. Tightening the waist to create a very slim hourglass shape was paired with a Crinoline, a cage-like undergarment that ladies wore under their dresses to produce a bell shape creating a very desirable silhouette. Often the fabric used in such dresses would also discern the wealth of the woman wearing it.   

Lookit ees eer laties wattlin' downa street like ey was a flock o'ducks. Ey can barely move in im. Fancy mums woking dis way and dat, prim and proper like. Big ol rear ends tossin right ways and left ways like a swingin bell up in a church tower. Can't quite make which end is up really, awful lotta fabric an not much woman in ere. Ey look like somefin you'd see inna parlor, maybe a couch on two legs or somefin. Ey can keep it. Iss not ees dresses I'm inristed in, iss wots in ey coin purses and wots roun ey necks. Way I sees it, the fancier the latie the richer er usband, which means mates we won't be worryin bout our next suppa. Less get in ere an make off wif whateva we can find. I've got me sights set onna one wot looks like a big blue pillow strung up wif pearls. Iss not like any ofum will beable to catch us when we lift eir goods, less ey can find a way to slip outta their knickers in the mittle ova street. Less go boys!     

   

Michael Cormier
circa. 1830 to circa. 1890

The Paletot

The paletot was a term coined by the French (originally rooted from the word “palla”) and it refers to a double-breasted overcoat with peaked lapels. At first, in the eighteenth century, the paletot was a term used to describe the many different types of overcoats. However, in the nineteenth century, the paletot was classified as a waisted overcoat. The term continued to evolve by the end of the nineteenth century as well as into the twentieth century, where the paletot was considered to be a topcoat with waist suppression. But in the nineteenth century, they were mostly referring to overcoats that were seen throughout the city. It is said to be similar to a frock coat, which is a formal coat for men that includes a skirt that stops at knee length. Features of the paletot coat include no waist seam, a showing of the side seams, multiple outside pockets (though, this varies with every paletot coat), peaked lapels, double-breasted, top buttons not being buttoned, and typically having a darker fabric. With that saying, every paletot is different and some bend the rules (i.e: although most paletots are knee-length, some happen to be ankle-length) (Schneider). Paletots can be worn by both men and women, but in the 19th century, they seemed to be slightly more popular with men. 

Everyone wears ‘em, nowadays. The paletots. Ya know, those double-breasted overcoats. The ones with the peaked lapels that got the waist suppression. Men, women, everyone. They wear ‘em everywhere. Always catch strangers flashing ‘em in town, sauntering down the streets, hands stuffed in their outside pockets. Smoking pipes, sometimes, although this is rarely ever the ladies. Nay, mostly the men. They wear their top hats and clean collars, and their top buttons are almost always undone. The women wear their corsets, paletots over ‘em, with their fancy bonnets. Always so nice and formal. The colors don’t change. Dark, never, or rarely bright. Plain, solid colors. Blacks, blues, and grays, those are the most common. ‘Specially with the fellows around ‘ere. People wear ‘em a lot when they sidle up and down the city. I don’t blame ‘em. Why, I got a couple at home myself. My wife, too. She’s got far too many to count, all at my expense. Rarely an occasion where one don’t suit. A must in today’s world, really. Could get ‘em customized in so many different ways. Knee-length, ankle-length. The style always changes. Always evolving. Don’t know why someone wouldn’t have one, for even I could probably use another. 

Works Cited

Schneider, Sven Raphael. “Paletot - The Double Breasted Overcoat.” Gentleman's Gazette, Publisher Gentleman's Gazette LLC Publisher Logo, 14 Apr. 2020, www.gentlemansgazette.com/paletot-double-breasted-overcoat/.

Gianna Gaetano
1833

Slavery Abolition Act

The Slavery Abolition Act abolished slavery in most of the British Empire, and made the purchasing of slaves illegal. The act was passed by Parliament in 1833, received the Royal Assent, and went into effect in 1884. There had been many abolitionists in Britain since the TransAtlantic slave trade began about 100 years before, and there had been other acts passed to limit slavery, but not abolish it completley. One of the biggest advocacies for abolishing slavery was the Anti-Slavery Society, which was founded in 1823 in London. The act ultimately came to pass due to instability within the British government, and popular want for free trade. Once the act went into effect, about 800,000 slaves were freed in the Caribbean and South America. 

I have just been informed of the Slavery Abolition act and I dare say it is about time! The economy has suffered enough from this mistaken foray into the trans-atlantic trade. As soon as you get involved with foreigners, it only means trouble. As far as the slaves themselves, I suppose that is for the best as well. I know many to be involved in the Anti-Slavery Society and they are good men, so I presume it to be a worthy cause. I just hope this act restores the British Empire to its former glory.

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Slavery-Abolition-Act

Sarah Henning
1833

The Factory Act of 1833

Child Coal Workers

Because of the rise of the Industrial Revolution, factories and mills sprung up all throughout Great Britain. Unskilled workers from the countryside, as well as immigrants, flocked to the factories for work. Many of these workers were children who would labor in dirty and dangerous jobs for little pay. The three most common employers of children during this era were the textile mills, and coal mines, and many others found employment as chimney sweeps in London and other major cities. Child labor became an overarching issue in the early 1800s due to a lack of effort to improve working conditions by the upper class. In 1833, the Government passed a Factory Act to improve conditions for children working in factories. Young children were working exceedingly long hours in workplaces where conditions were often terrible. The laws detailed in this act were: 

  • no child workers under nine years of age 
  • employers must have an age certificate for their child workers 
  • children of 9-13 years to work no more than nine hours a day 
  • children of 13-18 years to work no more than 12 hours a day 
  • children are not to work at night 
  • two hours schooling each day for children 
  • four factory inspectors appointed to enforce the law 

Though this was step in the right direction, the mistreatment of child workers did not cease. Young children were still forced to work under terrible conditions. Safety regulations for these factories were scarce, but the children still worked in order to provide for their families.  

Although I hired her towards the end of my time in this realm, I am profoundly glad Miss Lucy had decided to come work as my Nurse-Companion. I know she was desperate for work and I couldn’t bear the thought of that girl having to work in the mines or something else of the sort. I heard rumour of a young boy dying on my road while working as a chimney sweep. Working on a three-story home, he must have tripped on the roof and fallen to his death. He was only twelve years of age. My heart aches for his family. It is a very dark day when a mother loses a child. It is perhaps the worst tragedy a person could face. I hope now that boy, I believe his name to be Henry, finds peace in heaven alongside my beloved Frank. I can only pray that Lucy does not befall the same fate after my passing. She is a kind soul, and I would hate to see her hurt, just for a spot of money. I will arrange for her to be allotted a sum of money after my death, so that she does not turn to physical labor in these terrible conditions. Hopefully she will be able to find a job as a governess once I’m gone from this world. 

Price, Paxton. “Victorian Child Labor and the Conditions They Worked In.” Victorian Children, 2013, victorianchildren.org/victorian-child-labor/. 

Tuttle, Carolyn. “Child Labor during the British Industrial Revolution.” EHnet, eh.net/encyclopedia/child-labor-during-the-british-industrial-revolution/. 

Catie Zimmer
1835

The Life and Age of Woman

In 1835, The Life and Age of Woman was created and published by A. Alden Barre. The picture depicts the seven phases of a woman’s life during the Victorian era. The caption states: “The virtuous woman is a crown to her husband.” In this image specifically, it shows the life of a woman and what their entire life was supposed to model. From early as age 1, women during the Victorian were made to model the elder women in their lives as well as observe and aspire to be just like them. The little girl is then expected to grow up into a young lady and tend to domestic attributes as well as to serve as a child- bearer and maternal figure. Once the woman reaches age 30, she’s expected to cleanse herself of all sexual and physical pleasures by instead, performing domestic activities such as tending to the house and becoming a great mother.  This publication mirrors the life expectancy described in The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, specifically Helen. Helen is trapped within her marriage and can’t leave due to the laws restricting women. She isn’t allowed to run away or perform tasks that she would like to due to all of the legal restrictions. Not only is Helen affected by the social and legal restrictions of women during the Victorian era, but so are all the other female characters.

Brontë, Anne, and Margaret Lane. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall ; Agnes Grey. Dent, 1980.

Taylon Anderson
1836

Dr. Louis Discredits Bloodletting

Bloodletting had been a popular form of rehabilitation since 460 BC, according to the British Columbia Medical Journal. It was usually performed through venesection, or the cutting open of the vein on one's forearm, but leaches were also used. The website also describes the instruments used, which were thumb lancets, or "two-edged instruments often with an ivory or tortoiseshell case" and fleams, or " devices with multiple, variably sized blades that folded into a case like a pocketknife" (Greenstone). While bleeding was a popular practice even through the 19th century, in 1936 Dr. Pierre-Charles-Alexandre Louis, a French Doctor, did a study looking into its effectiveness. On another webpage from the BCMJ, Louis is described to have written a paper on his findings, which were that the procedure was "actually much less than has been commonly believed (Greenstone). I found this significant because the novel starts in 1827, which is 9 years before Louis discredits bleeding someone. However, the novel was published in 1848, 12 years after the essay. This shows that Bronte might have had an idea of the ineffectiveness of bloodletting. She illustrates a change in Arthur's temperament after being bled, becoming more subdued and demure. This could be because of weakness from the blood loss. I also can imagine that this practice was painful and I think it might be a way Bronte is exacting revenge upon Arthur, giving the reader, as well as Helen perhaps though unlikely due to her piety, a sense of righteous vengeance.

It has been half a fortnight since my dear little Constance has taken ill. She is thrown into a feverish mania at times, appearing to have delusions. Her forehead burns as though she had been by the fire for some time. Her face is pale, void of her usual ruddy gaiety. I sent for the doctor yesterday. He suggested he try to have her bled, to rid her of this intolerable illness. But how it frightens me so! I know it will help, deep down - the doctor told me it would so why would it not? However, despite my prayers to God and my reliance on Him to cure her, I cannot shake this feeling of dread, What if it is her time? What if heaven already has a place for her, waiting for her? I worry that this procedure will be the death of her. Yet, I must keep my sports up; if not for myself then for her. It would do no one well to scare the poor child. After all, the doctor must know what he is doing. My husband had a friend who was bled when taken ill and he recovered fully. There is no reason why Constance, a healthy young girl, could not recover just as well or better than he. I tell myself these things as I watch her, tossing and turning in her bed, covered in sweat and tears. I pray that this will work. And this prayer is for my own comfort.

Works Cited

Davis, Audrey and Toby Appel. "Bloodletting Instruments in the National Museum of History and Technology" Project Gutenburg. 7 July 2010. https://www.gutenberg.org/files/33102/33102-h/33102-h.htm 

Greenstone, Gerry. "The History of Bloodletting" British Columbia Medical Journal. Feb. 2010. https://bcmj.org/premise/history-bloodletting

Greenstone, Gerry. "The Roots of Evidence-Based Medicine" British Columbia Medical Journal. Oct. 2009. https://bcmj.org/premise/roots-evidence-based-medicine

Hannah Yurkin
1837

The Language of the Handkerchief

During the Victorian Era, handkierchiefs and fans were very popular accessories and were also used to communicate to others in nonverbal ways. This language was created by Queen Elizabeth herself in order to communicate to her staff. It was also seen as a status symbol for the wealthy. It soon became increasingly popular under Queen Victoria's reign and women of all socail statuses began using them to communicate. Since women during this time could not communicate desire with men the way we do now, they would use their handkerchief to flirt with men they found attractive. Dropping the handkerchief in front of a man was a way to gain his attention, drawing it across the cheek meant "I love you", drawing it through the hands meant "I hate you", and many more. We see the handkerchief language being used throughout "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall", especially within the last couple of chapters where Helen is distraut as she tells Gilbert to leave her alone. She covers her face with the cloth meaning "I am sorry" or "leave me alone."

https://handkerchiefheroes.com/home/

Deja Barnes
1839

The Custody of Infants Act 1839

The Custody of Infants Act 1839 was passed by the Parliament of the U.K. while being heavily influenced by reformist Caroline Norton. Norton, after a failed marriage with her husband, wrote pamphlets arguing for the natural rights of mothers to gain custody for their children garnering a lot of attention from members of Parliament. The idea of mother’s rights to custody was not a new introduction to Parliament, but the push from Norton was much needed in order to get the act passed. Before the act was passed, the vast majority of custody cases immediately went to the father of the child, this act now allowed mothers permission to present their case to the court to garner custody of children up to the age of seven. This ushered in a new era of custody hearings in the U.K. with the creation of the Tender Years Doctrine which insisted that during a child’s “tender years” which typically consist of ages 4 and younger, the mother of the child would be granted custody of said child. The passing of this act would have directly allowed Helen to have custody over Arthur Jr. 

“Custody of Infants Act 1839.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation. 2 Dec 2020. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Custody_of_Infants_Act_1839 . Accessed 2 Dec 2020.

Etty, W. (1836). Caroline Norton [Digital image]. Retrieved December 03, 2020, from https://spartacus-educational.com/Wcustody39.htm

donovan moore
1839 to 1842

The First Opium War

The First Opium War was a chorological series of engagements between the United Kingdom and China. The initiation of this war between the super powers began when China attempted to step in a suppress the opium trade. This suppression lit a fire under the United Kingdom because the United Kingdom was participating in the illegal exportation of opium from India to China since the beginning of the 18th century. From this, the addiction rates in China skyrocketed causing China’s economy and social wellbeing to ultimately deplete at an exponentially fast rate. During the Spring of 1839, the Chinese government managed to seize copious amounts of opium from British traders. In 1840, United Kingdom decided to send a task force to Hong Kong China with orders to occupy and attack the city. The UK government continued these attacks for Chinese forces for an entire year. In 1842, the UK government and Chinese government decided to make amends and created the Treaty of Nanjing which ultimately ended the violent wars between the two super powers. The theme of drug addiction, specifically opium within The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is extremely prevalent. In several passages of the novel, Arthur Huntington is oftentimes described be addicted to opium in excess and the addiction is credited as one of his reasons of declination.

Brontë, Anne, and Margaret Lane. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall ; Agnes Grey. Dent, 1980.

“Opium Wars.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., www.britannica.com/topic/Opium-Wars.

Taylon Anderson
1839

Custody of Infants Act of 1839

The Custody of Infants Act of 1839 was initiated by female activist, Caroline Norton. Norton had previously suffered a failed marriage to an abusive man and was seeking the rights to obtain custody of the children they had had together. She began handing out pamphlets sharing her story with the public, defending a mother's natural right to her children, and eventually gaining the attention and sympathy of parliamentary members. This attention is what would come to result in the Custody of Infants Act of 1839. This act would allow mothers to petition the court for custody of their children younger than seven and grant them the opportunity to petition for the rights of their older children. This act would prove monumental, as it would serve as a starting point for women to reestablish their rights independent to that of their husbands. 

In 1873, this act would be amended for the benefit of the child, rather than for the benefit of the parents. This meant that mothers could petition for custody of their children sixteen and younger, but the child would be placed with the parent best fit for the child's well-being. Though, chances could still be slim for a mother to gain custody, as parliament could still rule in favor of the father depending on the circumstances. For example, if the mother committed adultery because she had an abusive husband, the child would most likely be placed with the father, as a woman committing adultery was deemed worse than an abusive man. Though, this would eventually come to change in 1878 with the Matrimonial Causes Act. This would grant women protection against their abusive husbands, offering them legal separation, and custody of their children. 

“Caroline Norton.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 8 Sept. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caroline_Norton.

“Custody Rights.” UK Parliament, www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/transformingsociety/private-live....

Michaella Maddalena
1839

Custody of Infants Act 1839

The Custody of Infants Act 1839 was a movement started by a woman named Caroline Norton. Norton had a terrible marriage with her husband and created this movement arguing for the right of mothers to have custody of their children if they were to get divorced. Until this point, women were not allowed to have custody of their children if they were to get a divorce from their husbands. Not only did the husbands control all of the money within the marriage, but they were the only ones who had the right to file for a divorce. It was quite literally against the law for women to take their children if their husbands divorced them. This Act allowed women who were considered to be non-adulterous mothers to petition the court to gain custody of their children up until the age of seven if they were no longer married to their husbands. Although the Act did not guarantee custody to the mothers of these children, this changed a lot about the power dynamics in these marriages because women were finally gaining the right to have their own legal identity outside of their husband. This started an entire movement based around child custody laws. It was called the Tender years doctrine. The 1839 Act was repealed by Parliament and replaced with the Custody of Infants Act 1873.

Works Cited:

“The Custody of Infants Act 1839.” British Women's Emancipation since the Renaissance, historyofwomen.org/custody.html.

“Custody of Infants Act 1839.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 10 Sept. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Custody_of_Infants_Act_1839.

Catie Zimmer
1840

1840 Health Vaccination Reform

Victorian Era Diseases, Illnesses

During the Victorian Era, a myriad of lethal diseases was consuming the population and slashing through the lives of those young and old. A few of the common diseases that were responsible for the majority of death (at the time) included Typhoid, Cholera, Smallpox, Scarlet Fever, and measles (McAlpine). In Villette, we get to see how some of these diseases have affected and pivoted the protagonist, Lucy Snowe's life. The root of these diseases is unsanitary conditions, food, and constant close human contact. In this era, people weren't aware of how important it was to keep their bodies, kitchens, and other aspects of basic living clean. So, as the birth rates climbed so did their mortality rates.  Due to the large, lower-class population dying off because of the lack of funds for healthcare and sanitation, Parliament passed the Vaccination Laws of 1840 to provide common folk with vaccinations at the expense of ratepayers. Cultural and Christian values kept ratepayers from paying and investing in the spread of the vaccinations even though infant vaccinations were required by law years later (McIntosh). Some believed that the vaccinations were un-safe, they were not necessary or felt that the government had no right to force an un-known medical treatment upon them. 

Bless dear Madame Beck's soul, her patience and will to hold the power is trifling to watch. She holds the girls under constant surveillance. Alas, she feels that her authority over them hangs in the balance by a delicate string of cotton. Desiree, that girl is a wild thing. She runs around the facility like a little mouse scurrying and sticking her nose where she can sport it best. Meanwhile, Fifine is a white dove, sweet and poised. Oh, please don't let my mind trot to Dr. John, methinks he could care less if I trampled over tired toes into a brook. Poor Lucy, she is charmed by an eerie power, during the storm she breached the window while I and the others prayed for an end to this atrocity known as day. My woes cry out to her the most. She is yet a shell of a woman now bewitched by the papers God has provided. She beds herself in her lessons to dull out how she fancies life now. With time she will grow and maybe one day escape the demons that furrow her consciousness. May God continue to hold his children in his unchanging hand. I pray for their abundant safety and rehabilitation on the morrow.  

Brontë, Charlotte. "Villette." COVE Studio, 2020, https://studio.covecollective.org/documents/villette-2 

McAlpine, Fraser. "Five Horrible Diseases You Might Have Caught in Victorian England." BBC

America, Anglophenia, April 2013. https://www.bbcamerica.com/anglophenia/2013/04/five-horrible-

diseases-you-might-have-caught-in-victorian-england

McIntosh, Neil. "Victorian Britain" BBC History,  BBC Archives, 6 Nov.

2014, http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/timeline/victorianbritain_timeline_...

Evonne Sherman
1840

Penny Black

The way in which people communicated over distance has been through writing since the beginning of time. Letters would be mailed, and the recipient would be responsible for paying the postage fee upon receiving the letter. Due to postal rates being high, confusing, and inconsistent, Sir Roland Hill, who was an English teacher, inventor, and social reformer, proposed the idea of an adhesive stamp that would be placed on letters to indicate prepayment of postage to simplify matters. In 1937 HIll was given a two year contract to run the new system. With a partner, Henry Cole, they announced a competition for the design of the new stamp, and having over 2,600 entries none were considered good enough. Eventually Roland Hill endorsed a rough design of an easily recognisable profile of the former princess Victoria. He chose this because it would be difficult to forge. The stamp was first issued in the United Kingdom on May 1, 1840 but was not valid for use until the 6th. Because the telephone was not invented until 1876 the regulation of the stamp made sending letters alot easier and affordable for most people. The Penny Black stamp allowed letters up to one half of an ounce to be mailed for a flat rate of one cent regardless of distance. This was especially usefull in the novel, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, because the letters were being written, sent, and recieved from the very first page of the book. 

Works Cited

"Penny Black." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Founation, 23, November, 2020, en.wikipedia.org/Penny_Black.

Chrissy Dandy
1846 to 1860

Cholera Outbreak

According to Wikipedia, "The third Cholera pandemic was the third major outbreak of Cholera originating in India in the ninteenth century that reached far beyond its borders, which researchers at UCLA believe may have started as early as 1837 and lasted until 1863." More than 1 million people in Russia died of cholera, in London over 10,000, in all of Great Britain 23,000, the cholera pandemic was considered to have the highest number of fatalities of the 19th-century epidemics. I feel like this is not only relevant to The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, but also incredibly relevant given the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic claiming nearly 1.5 million lives worldwide and with no end in sight, it looks like it'll be getting worse.

Well...looks like Paul from the grocer got it, Meg says he's not doing well. Looks like they're not taking much crop this year because of cholera. I thought that it would be fine in a couple of weeks, just like the flu they said. Well it's getting worse. I don't know if we'll be able to keep the farm running with the massive drop in income, I don't know if I'll be able to handle it if Rose or Fergus starts coughing. Maybe it's best to keep your distance for a while, just until we get back on our feet and all of...this normalizes.

“1846–1860 Cholera Pandemic.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 18 Nov. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1846%E2%80%931860_cholera_pandemic.

Ben Hestad

Pages