- The Victorian era took place between 1837 and 1901. It is so named because Queen Victoria was the British monarch during that time. Industrialization produced new jobs and increased availability of the finer things in life thus creating a socioeconomic middle class for the first time. The Victorians were at the forefront of tremendous changes and advancements in politics, ideology and society. It is during this time that movements in feminism, unionization of workers, socialism and Marxism began.
- Middle-class Victorian men moved their families to the suburbs in search of safety and protection for their wife and children that the city could not offer. A man's home was considered a place of refined culture and wives were expected to be well-versed in the fine arts, music and literature. Victorian etiquette for women was designed to keep a woman safe and chaste. Its oppressive nature gave rise to a strong women's movement in the early 20th century.
- During the Victorian era, calling cards were used a method of keeping track of visitors and visits. These cards were kept in a small ornate tray by the doorway. If a woman was a first-time visitor she would leave her card, but not visit. Instead, she would wait to hear from the mistress of the house to return the call. When a woman moved to a new neighborhood she would wait to receive calling cards and then return the visits.
- Domesticity in a woman was highly valued in Victorian society, and marriage was the goal of many young women. Once married, a woman lost her legal status, any money or inheritance and her right to own property. Victorian weddings were often lavish, romantic events and holding them in the bride's home became the fashion. The tradition of cutting the wedding cake began during the Victorian era as a symbol of the woman's first domestic chore.
- Much of a Victorian woman's life revolved around planning, preparing and serving formal dinners. Victorian etiquette for dining included exact instruction on how to set a table, cut bread, place salt shakers and even how much and which types of side dishes to serve with each type of meat. For example, no more than two vegetables should be served for each entree and potatoes should never accompany a fish dish.