A new Monarch. Queen Victoria's eldest son, Albert Edward (known as Bertie) was crowned King Edward VII on 9th August 1902. With a new century and a new monarch on the throne Edwardians certainly embraced the future. What was life like during Edwardian Britain? The era, later known as the 'Golden Age', promoted 'leisurely' time. Fondly remembered for long hazy summer days, with the rich enjoying endless garden parties and banquets. Of course, this is the period before the outbreak of two awful World Wars, so memories may be biased! The working class were treated as humans, not as machines. There remained a huge difference in the financial standing between the classes, however. The nation saw the demise of child labour. The Boy Scout movement, founded in 1907 by Lord Baden Powell, encouraged boys to have a sense of duty and good citizenship.
Transport.
Motor vehicles slowly began to replace horses. By 1905 there were 9000 motor cars on the road. HMS Dreadnought, a steam powered battleship, made other warships obsolete. Aviation was in its infancy. Louis Bleriot made the first channel crossing in 1909 in his mono - plane. He won a £1000 prize offered by the Daily Mail.
The Suffragettes.
Working women were gaining more reputable jobs, like typists, enhancing the status of women in the workplace. The Suffragette movement, supporting the struggle for women to vote and hold office, gathered pace. In 1906 the militant campaign began. Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters founded the Women's Social and Political Union. The union engaged in direct action. Women often resorted to violence, some went to prison, but the fight went on. In 1906 a Daily Mail reporter coined the phrase Suffragette to belittle any woman advocating women's suffrage. However, the militants adopted the term, even using it for the title of the newspaper produced by the WSPU.
Sport.
International sporting events started. The first rugby contest between two nations took place in Paris in 1906, England beat France 35-8. Meanwhile, the same year, England beat France in football, with a magic score of 15-0. The Olympic Games held in London in 1908 followed the rebirth of the Olympic movement in 1896. 22 sports were represented, including athletics, fencing and lacrosse however, out of 2008 athletes, only 37 were women! In addition to this, the world's first purpose built ‘banked’ motor racing circuit opened in Surrey, called Brooklands.
Edwardian Households
In the home, an assortment of innovations appeared, for example, better ovens. More effective cleaning and polishing agents resulted in the reduction of household servants. The vacuum cleaner, promoted as a replacement for dusters and brooms, took two people to operate it! However, by the end of the decade, the 'Baby Daisy' vacuum cleaner needed just one person. Most importantly, everyday brands appeared! Cherry Blossom shoe polish in 1903, Brasso in 1905 and Persil washing powder in 1909.
Fashion.
Gone were the dark heavy fabrics of the Victorian era. Edwardian women preferring lighter fabrics embraced more active lifestyles, consequently some outfits had a sporty influence. The corset makes its final appearance in everyday wear, before being 'confined' (excuse the pun!) to the history books. Two-piece dresses came into fashion and the trumpet shape, tight at the hips, flaring at the hem was very popular.
The Edwardian era, the last period in history to be named after its monarch, officially ended on the death of King Edward VII in 1910. However, it is often extended to the start of WWI in 1914. George V succeeded his father and reigned until 1936.
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