Table of Contents
What was the worst punishment in Victorian times?
The penalty for the most serious crimes would be death by hanging, sometimes in public. However, during the Victorian period this became a less popular form of punishment, especially for smaller crimes, and more people were transported abroad (sometimes all the way to Australia!) or sent to prison instead.
What punishments did the Victorians have in school?
Boys were usually caned on their backsides and girls were either beaten on their bare legs or across their hands. A pupil could receive a caning for a whole range of different reasons, including: rudeness, leaving a room without permission, laziness, not telling the truth and playing truant (missing school).
How were children typically punished in the Victorian era?
In 1854 Reformatory Schools were set up for offenders under 16 years old. These were very tough places, with stiff discipline enforced by frequent beatings. Young people were sent there for long sentences – usually several years.
What did Victorian girls do at school?
Boys and girls were segregated for some subjects: girls would study needlework while boys studied woodwork. Children used a slate to write on, which could be wiped clean. They might also use a quill pen (like a feather), which was dipped in ink from an ink well on the desk.
What did rich Victorian children do at school?
Most children never went to school and struggled to read or write. Children from rich families were typically taught at home by governess until the age of 10 years old. Wealthy boys from the age of 10 would then go to Public schools such as Rugby. Girls on the other hand continued to be educated at home.
What is a Victorian child?
Victorian children lived very different lives to children today. Poor children often had to work to earn money for their family. This lead to major problems with overcrowding and poverty. Disease and early death were common for both rich and poor people.
What was the punishment for crime in Victorian times?
The law allowing this was eventually changed in 1857. ‘Prison hulks’ were ships that moored in the harbour and housed criminals who were to be transported or taken to court. Hard labour was a common punishment. Many Victorians believed that having to work very hard would prevent criminals committing crime in the future.
What was life like for convicts in Victorian times?
Prisoners worked hard within the prisons based on their sentences. There was once a shortage of accommodation in prison. Long term convicts were moved to the dreaded Hulks. A few of prisoners were able to escape, though. Find facts about crime and punishment here.
What was discipline like in schools in Victorian times?
The Victorian teaching system was much different to the one we have today. Discipline was huge in the Victorian times and this was no different in schools. It wasn’t uncommon for children to be beat by canes made from birch wood. Boys were typically caned on their backsides whereas Girls would take the punishment on their legs or hands.
Why was theft so common in Victorian times?
People in Victorian times were concerned about how much crime there was and wanted to find ways to reduce it. Theft was very common. In busy towns where there were overcrowded streets, pickpockets took the opportunity to steal money and small goods from people’s pockets or bags.