Category: Victorian

Lady-in-Waiting

9/8/2019

Last week I had the honour and pleasure of accompanying Queen Victoria on a royal engagement to Pontefract Castle. The Queen's Private Secretary, Sir Henry Ponsonby, was also in attendance. We met many of her majesty's loyal subjects and were particularly touched by the manners of the younger visitors, who were quick to learn how to behave during a Royal Audience.

(Queen Victoria and Sir Henry are portrayed by Eve and Steve Bacon of Live'n History)

0 Comments

Jack Valentine: A Local Tradition

13/2/2017

0 Comments

Whilst researching for Norwich in 100 Dates I came across a sweet Norfolk tradition born, it would seem, during the nineteenth century - Jack Valentine.
On Valentine’s Eve Jack Valentine was known to travel from doorstep to doorstep, leaving gifts in his wake. In this way lovers would exchange presents, and parents would leave gifts for children. The lucky recipient would hear a rat-tat-tat on the door, and when they opened it the mysterious “Jack” would have disappeared into thin air, leaving behind a surprise.

On a rather more cruel note, Snatch Valentine was also known to make an appearance. If you were visited by this character when you reached for the present it would leap away from you as the hidden perpetrator tugged a piece of string attached to it, snatching your present away.

0 Comments

Lady-in-Waiting

Jack Valentine: A Local Tradition

Author

Archives

Categories