Katrine Kriegbaum
3.S Engelsk
29/11/11
Princess Victoria was only 18 years old when she became Queen of England in 1837. She succeeded her uncle, William the 4th. to the throne of England. All ready as a young girl she had to give up on living a normal life and instead become the queen and even an empress. Her husband, Prince Albert, whom she married in 1840, gave her fine support in her troubled work.
Albert was German and in the beginning of their marriage, he had to fight against the English prejudices towards everything German. It might be said that the English population did not properly appreciate him until his death in an age of only 42 years. He was an excellent teacher for the young queen, a talented politician and a great art lover. Victoria admired him, trusted him and loved him very much, and after his death she mourned the loss of >>her Albert<< for the rest of her life. From then on she could only trust herself, and she was to rule for another 40 years until her death in 1901.
Her long reign, also called The Victorian era, is known for its view on the behaviour of women and children. Women were not allowed into pubs. Women were not allowed on the street without a hat on. Legs and ankles must not be shown. Women were presumed not to have legs. Even pianos had their legs hidden by draperies. Children were to be seen, not heard. They weren’t allowed to talk at the table, unless they were asked. Victorian “educative” books gave examples of horrible punishments for children, who, like little John, was hung on a meat hook, when he was stealing jam from the larder.