1London's Poop Crisis
In 1894, London was "drowning" in horse poop. It was estimated that within 50 years, London streets would be buried in 9 feet of poop and horse carcasses. But the invention of the automobile resolved the problem.
2. In 1857, there were an estimated 80,000 prostitutes in London, and one out of every 60 houses functioned as a brothel.
3. In 1723, London's death rate exceeded the birth rate, a trend lasting a decade due to Gin. Women addicted to gin often neglected or sedated their infants with it. The term 'Mother's Ruin' endures to this day.
4. The 1875 Great Whiskey Fire in Dublin claimed 13 lives. Interestingly, none died from smoke or burns; instead, they died of alcohol poisoning resulting from drinking the flowing whiskey in the streets.
5. The Harris's List, an 18th-century catalog of London prostitutes, offered details like addresses, prices, skills, and appearance ratings. Published annually for decades, it provided a unique insight into the sex industry.
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6Longest Legal Case
William Jennens, Britain's wealthiest man in the late 18th century, passed away in 1798 without a signed will. The legal proceedings spanned over a century, draining the inheritance in legal costs, and the case only concluded in 1915.
7. Curry's presence in Britain predates fish and chips. The first Indian restaurant emerged in 1809, while fish and chips only appeared around 1858 at the earliest.
8. In 1833, Britain allocated 40% of its national budget to purchasing freedom for all Empire slaves. However, true freedom only came after seven years of "apprenticeship." This act, though, excluded the British East India Company's territories.
9. In 1290, Jews were banned from England for 300 years and earlier had to wear a distinctive mark signifying their Jewish identity.
10. In 1784, Britain introduced a brick tax to fund colonial wars. The tax was levied per thousand bricks, resulting in manufacturers using larger bricks. To counter this, the government restricted brick dimensions and increased the tax on larger bricks in 1801.
11Last Teen Execution
In 1849, 17-year-old Sarah Thomas became Britain's last teenage girl to be hanged. Found guilty of killing her employer. Sarah was dragged screaming and crying to the gallows, pleading for her life. So distressing was the scene that the prison governor even fainted.
12. In the aftermath of the Black Death in England, peasants found leverage in negotiating better wages due to labor shortages. In response, Parliament enacted the Statute of Labourers in 1351, restraining wage demands to pre-plague levels. This fueled the English Peasants' Revolt of 1381. Over 70,000 peasants from across England, under the leadership of farmer Wat Tyler, formed the 'Peasant Army' which marched into London, sacking parts of the city and targeting affluent elites.
13. Post the Norman Conquest of England, nobles used French terms for the meat they consumed, while the peasants who raised these animals used Anglo-Saxon. Hence, English has "beef" and "pork" for meat and "cow" and "pig" for the animals it comes from.
14. During the 17th century, coffeehouses were so popular in England that they were often known as "penny universities." For a penny, one could enjoy coffee and engage in stimulating conversations, spanning politics to literature.
15. Termed "remittance men," young British emigrants received payments from their families to live abroad, often in Canada or the U.S., with the expectation they would not return home to Britain. This practice originated in the 1880s and continued into the early 20th century.
16Press Gangs Impression
In times of war and crises, men with seafaring experience were forcibly taken by press gangs to serve in the Royal Navy. Captured on the streets, they found themselves trapped on ships without escape.
17. Wealthy 19th-century British farmers commissioned exaggerated paintings of large livestock as status symbols, asserting superiority over other livestock breeders.
18. The worst human stampede in Britain occurred in June 1883, when 183 children were fatally crushed while rushing to collect gifts from performers after a variety show.
19. In the 19th century, Britain was the world's richest and most advanced economy. Real GDP per capita nearly doubled in the 90 years between 1780 and 1870, reaching $3,263 per person, surpassing the USA's GDP per person by one-third, and outstripping France and Germany by 70%.
20. In the ninth century, the Norse founded the Viking Kingdom of "Dyflin," which is now Dublin, Ireland. The name "Dubh Linn" translates to "black pool" in Irish. During this era, Dublin became a significant hub for the slave trade in Western Europe. However, its Viking rule came to an end when the Norman conquerors killed the last Viking king in 1171.
21Mercia's Ancient Kingdom
Mercia emerged as one of the three prominent Anglo-Saxon kingdoms established during the settlement of sub-Roman Britain by the Anglo-Saxons. Encompassing the area around the River Trent and its tributaries, it occupied what is now recognized as the English Midlands.
22. The British Pound stands as the world's oldest currency, having been in circulation for over 1,200 years and tracing its origins back to the Anglo-Saxon era. During that time, it equated to 1 pound of silver and could purchase 15 cows.
23. Barnacles presented significant challenges for old ships. In the 18th century, the British Navy gained a considerable advantage by covering their ships' hulls with copper to prevent barnacle growth.
24. Approximately 50,000 British criminals were "transported" to the American colonies, serving sentences of 7 or 14 years instead of facing the death penalty. This practice came to an end with the American Revolution, resulting in overcrowded UK prisons until the establishment of the Australian colony, which revived the transportation tradition.
25. During the 11th century, Ireland played a pivotal role in the slave trade, abducting individuals from Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. The ban on slavery in England significantly impacted Ireland, contributing to the reasons behind the Norman invasion of Ireland as the Irish clung to their practice of slavery.
