Majesty and Machinations: A Glimpse into Pre-1900s United Kingdom

In 1857, there were an estimated 80,000 prostitutes in London, and one out of every 60 houses functioned as a brothel.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

In 1290, Jews were banned from England for 300 years and earlier had to wear a distinctive mark signifying their Jewish identity.

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.

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.