The family of bride and heiress, Lena Lance, could have formed the basis of a novel written by Trollope, Hardy or others. Humble origins to substantial wealth in a generation. A rich old man living in a coterie of single women kin to his wife. A sensational court case about forged wills, an uncertain solicitor, and much money. A society wedding sparkling with bling. Marrying into money only a generation older, she escaped Bournemouth’s nouveau riche nervous society for Midland respectability.
Victorian Bournemouth (187) surveys the cultural and commercial terrain deterring professional theatrical productions until the 1880s.
Victorian Bournemouth (185) traces how successful local businessmen, from humble origins, stepped into wider civic and community roles.
Victorian Bournemouth (172) analyses signatures made by bride and groom on wedding certificates after ceremonies at several local parish churches.
Victorian Bournemouth (149) finds that established residents perhaps upgraded Oxford Road’s society with a collaborative social protectorate.
Victorian Bournemouth (148) provides a demographic analysis of Oxford Road’s inhabitants during the late nineteenth century.
General servants cheapest option Introduction Victorian Bournemouth (129) continues the series of studies about domestic service advertising for female staff to work in the resort 1878-1881. The analysis references a database constructed from details of job requirements and advertisers which appeared each week in the Western Gazette. This article concentrates on applications for domestic staff […]
A clash of envy against ambition Introduction Victorian Bournemouth (121) marks the third and final article analysing a riot which happened on Windham Road, Springbourne, in 1878. During this, a mob tried to harm Arthur Adams, tailor, a court witness, and set his house alight. This article explores the social profile of the victims or […]
Gossip. Bathing-suits. Respectability. Introduction Victorian Bournemouth (74) explores society at the resort during its second period as revealed in press clippings. A review of Grantley Berkeley’s book of satirical essays included excerpts about how the author saw Bournemouth’s society. A comment published by a local paper touched on a similar subject. The cuttings suggest the […]
Introduction Wealthy tourists populated early Victorian Bournemouth’s Westover Villas during 1851. A trade directory for 1849 observed that only a ‘few poor fishermen’ had dwelt on the Bournemouth site. Now ‘aristocracy’ frequented it to a great deal. In July 1838, the Dorset County Chronicle talked about ‘this picturesque and beautiful spot, already the residence of […]