Post by Morrigan on Dec 14, 2012 8:56:04 GMT -5
1906
it's not so scary
If you're feeling a bit daunted by the idea of roleplaying in a historical setting, don't worry! Few of us are going to be experts on the period and the odd anachronism will probably go unnoticed. If you're familiar with period dramas from the early 20th century like Downton Abbey, Titanic or Parade's End, or even Austen-era works, then you'll probably be fine mimicking the tone and setting here. But I shall blast you all with some information I've hastily cobbled together to give us all a bit more confidence. Don't feel obliged to read it all, just pick anything you want to know about.
Also, here are some links that might prove useful for some things:
Debrett's - lots of info on how titled aristocrats and their families should be addressed
Wikipedia - Some stuff on the British nobility
Names - Popular names of the era
KINGSGATE
Large country houses and surrounding areas were owned by wealthy individuals which used rental income to maintain themselves. They often were a broad source of employ thanks to the need for many domestic staff. The early 20th century onwards, particularly post-WWI, saw the decline of such country houses due to rising taxation, agricultural collapse and wide gaps in the staff after the war. In the Kingsgate of 1906, however, the estate is reasonably secure and stable without pressing financial concerns.1906
The Victorian era ended in 1901 on Edward VII's accession. The Edwardian period technically lasted from 1901-1910 when the King died, but is often extended up to either 1912 or 1914, or even 1918 or 1919. It doesn't really matter much for our RP, but you should be aware that popular social issues of the time include increasing politicisation of formerly powerless sections of society, such as labourers and women, with the arrival of the suffragist/suffragette movements. Nonetheless, the social structure in 1906 is still very rigid.dress
For men, traditional clothing styles changed little with only minor things like new trouser cuts or jacket shapes (omg) emerging. Otherwise the typical darker coloured morning dress - morning coat (more formal)/lounge coat (less formal), waistcoat, trousers, cravat, hat - prevailed, with brighter colour appearing only on the waistcoat or tie.
Male eveningwear consisted of a black tailcoat (more formal)/dinner jacket (less formal), white shirt, waistcoat and bowtie. More emphasis on comfort and sportswear (by that we mean the delightfully sophisticated pursuits of polo, yachting, cricket, hunting and shooting), however, meant items like the Norfolk jacket, namely that tweedy looking stuff, became popular for outdoorsy stuff. If you want to look up hats and all the other bits and pieces, go ahead. I'm not.
For women... you know what here are some pictures. What. I'm lazy.
[X] [X] [X] [X] [X] [X] [X] [X] [X] [X]
All right, to sum up, full curves and low bosoms are in. Weird S-bend corsets are the norm. Higher necklines and bigger sleeves are coming in. Skirts are getting fuller and waistlines are rising. Soft clinging fabrics dominate. Servants wear funny caps and cheapo dresses.
education
Like the rest of society education was hierarchical and class-structured with many categories of school. The Victorian model of an educational ladder was still favoured whereby brighter children from poorer backgrounds could hope to receive secondary and university education through scholarship - but we're talking four or five children from such a background, although the early twentieth century looked to forge a better deal for the working classes. It remains that in 1906 it was hard to change social status and a servant would likely stay a servant and their children would have few prospects other than entering service too. The sons of the most affluent would likely attend the most prestigious public schools like Eton, Harrow or Winchester, then go on to Oxford or Cambridge. Girls were educated differently and, though educational acts passed after the 1870s enacted free, mandatory schooling for both sexes, had to fight to continue past grammar level. Governesses or tutors may be employed to verse the children of the well off in things like Latin, French, English history and literature, after which a boy would either continue to be educated at home or go on to boarding school. Some daughters may be sent to boarding schools but many remained at home. University was unlikely for women.
sex and marriage
Attitudes were strict and conservative on romantic interactions. Marriage was completely the norm and divorce was rare and favoured men - a man could divorce his wife for adultery but not vice versa, a man would always retain legal custody of children, and a woman only had claim on property or money was separately hers. It was therefore very difficult for a woman to divorce out of an unhappy marriage. Affairs were somewhat commonplace anyway and people may well turn a blind eye to such things. Male and female servants were kept apart as much as possible and cavorting downstairs could be cause for dismissal - if a female servant were to be found pregnant out of wedlock, for instance, which was certainly not uncommon. Some servants were married but many employers would not hire married women as they did not want a pregnant women or children around.
forms of address
Nobility (dukes, marquesses, earls, viscounts, barons):Lord Carmarthen is an earl and therefore referred to as 'my Lord' or 'Your Lordship' when spoken to directly by servants or other social inferiors. He is referred to as 'Lord Carmarthen' or 'His Lordship' when spoken about by others. His wife, Lady Carmarthen, is a countess and therefore addressed in the same way in the female versions. They would likely refer to one another by first names.
The earl's daughters are all referred to as Lady [First Name], e.g. always Lady Margaret and never Lady Penrose, Lady Carmarthen etc. They are referred to as 'Her Ladyship' or 'Lady Margaret' when being spoken about outside the family. They will be addressed by first name within the family.
The earl's son is entitled to use one of his father's courtesy titles if applicable. Edward is therefore Viscount Kingsgate, but may be called Master Edward (as he is still a minor) or Lord Kingsgate in conversation. Any future wife before Edward succeeds to the earldom would be the Viscountess Kingsgate, but in speech Lady Kingsgate. Younger sons of the earl are just Mr Penrose, though in text only are 'The Honourable Richard Penrose', and their wives are the same. In conversation they would just be Mr Penrose.
The same is applicable to other ranks, ie dukes, marquesses and their kin, though it's possible these higher ranks would hold an earldom or the like as their subsidiary title, so the son of a duke might be an earl until he inherits. They are all just able to be called Lord X in conversation. Viscount and The Honourable are generally not used in conversation.
The earl's mother is also the countess and is referred to in the same way.
Children to parents:
Upper class children refer to their parents as 'Mama' (sounds kind of like Muh-Marh, and you have to say it in a posh British accent or it doesn't work :] ) and 'Papa' (Puh-Parh). Extends to Grandmama and Grandpapa. If that makes no sense to you, listen to this: [X] and [X]
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