In the news1840
Introduction of the Penny Post
The Uniform Penny Post was introduced in 1840, making mail affordable and leading to a five-fold increase in sent letters.
Buckingham Palace, 25 Apr 1843 – Darmstadt, 14 Dec 1878
9 facts3 sources
25 Apr 1843
Born in Buckingham Palace
1863–1874
7 children are born
14 Dec 1878
Dies in Darmstadt, aged 35
She lived through 4 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Buckingham Palace.
General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.
In the news1840
The Uniform Penny Post was introduced in 1840, making mail affordable and leading to a five-fold increase in sent letters.
What people wore
The Monthly Laundry Operation
Laundry was so time-consuming that large households might only wash once a month, performing a massive operation lasting up to a week that disrupted the entire house.
Getting around
Walking was the common mode of travel
For everyday travel, most people relied on walking, typically covering about 3 miles per hour and rarely exceeding 20 miles in a single day.
In Europe · 1848The Revolutions of 1848. Uprisings spread from Paris to Vienna, Berlin and Milan; most were put down, but serfdom ended in Austria.
In the news1846–1847
A severe potato blight caused a major hunger crisis across Europe, leading to unrest in Prussian markets and bakeries.
Music
Everyday singing and festival traditions
People sang at work and leisure, often drawing from well-known ballads or popular songs like The Mistletoe Bough. At festivals, groups such as mummers and pace-eggers performed dances and songs while wearing masks or fantastic costumes to request alms, often rewarded with eggs and strong beer.
Daily life
Candlelight and rushlights provided minimal illumination
Without electricity or gas, ordinary people relied on simple tallow candles or rushlights dipped in animal fat, which burned for only about one hour each.