Queen Victoria: The Biography
The Victorian Era is known as a time of straitlaced morals and sexual repression. During that time, the British people, particularly the middle classes, embraced strict moral standards. So, it stands to reason that Queen Victoria, Britain’s Sovereign and one of the most influential people at the time, would have had something to do with that.
Yet, it is often true that a famous person that stands behind a legend like this is nothing like the general perception of her. The question arises, what kind of person and what kind of ruler was Queen Victoria? Was she really a prude and a disciplinarian? Was she modest, quiet and demure? A closer study of her life reveals something quite different.
Victoria was a prolific diary writer. Her writings exposed a side of her character that departs from the myth in nearly every sense. Why is it that the first thing people think of when they hear “Victorian” is blandness and coldness? Perhaps it is the image of short, pudgy Victoria herself that hides the fact that she was actually a woman filled with passion and inner fire.
Enormous changes in government and culture marked the Victorian Era. Britain went from obeying the wishes of a single monarch to making decisions for itself through a newer, more powerful Parliament and increased individual input into the political process.
Queen Victoria’s relationships with the prime ministers of her country were at times productive and at other times filled with discord. Yet, the country enjoyed a long period of peace and stability during her reign. Somehow, she managed to unite the country at a time when opposing factions fought battles on the home front. Queen Victoria proved herself a great and influential Queen and helped to forever change the course of Britain’s future.
Queen Victoria: The Biography
The Victorian Era is known as a time of straitlaced morals and sexual repression. During that time, the British people, particularly the middle classes, embraced strict moral standards. So, it stands to reason that Queen Victoria, Britain’s Sovereign and one of the most influential people at the time, would have had something to do with that.
Yet, it is often true that a famous person that stands behind a legend like this is nothing like the general perception of her. The question arises, what kind of person and what kind of ruler was Queen Victoria? Was she really a prude and a disciplinarian? Was she modest, quiet and demure? A closer study of her life reveals something quite different.
Victoria was a prolific diary writer. Her writings exposed a side of her character that departs from the myth in nearly every sense. Why is it that the first thing people think of when they hear “Victorian” is blandness and coldness? Perhaps it is the image of short, pudgy Victoria herself that hides the fact that she was actually a woman filled with passion and inner fire.
Enormous changes in government and culture marked the Victorian Era. Britain went from obeying the wishes of a single monarch to making decisions for itself through a newer, more powerful Parliament and increased individual input into the political process.
Queen Victoria’s relationships with the prime ministers of her country were at times productive and at other times filled with discord. Yet, the country enjoyed a long period of peace and stability during her reign. Somehow, she managed to unite the country at a time when opposing factions fought battles on the home front. Queen Victoria proved herself a great and influential Queen and helped to forever change the course of Britain’s future.
Queen Victoria: The Biography
