Victorian English Afternoon Tea

Our local historical society is going to hold an afternoon tea victorian theme in mid april 2018.

Victorian english afternoon tea. Although it s often referred to as high tea it is not. Because the society has an educational mission would it be permissible to make printed copies of the 2 articles i e. Afternoon tea in every respectable english dwelling be it palace or cottage tea is served between four and five o clock every afternoon in the year. She will have some regard to making her guests to her afternoon tea acquainted if they have not already met.

Fragile teacups aside i believe that victorian afternoon tea could be considered a radical feminist act. History of the tea and etiquette and give these to the attendees. Afternoon tea is a much lauded culinary tradition born in 19 th century britain when anna russell the duchess of bedford ordered tea and light fare to her room between lunch and a late dinner. Afternoon tea allowed women to entertain mixed company at home without their husbands and was therefore liberating both socially and practically.

Tea history fashion sports culture and social history of the victorian era 1837 1901. The custom of afternoon tea came about as a necessity to fill a hunger gap. While coffee occupied a more masculine external world in 19th century london the interior realms of tea were a more feminine affair. If she is a wise woman she will limit her guests to the afternoon tea to the number her house can accommodate with ease and have her hours long enough to avoid all coming at the same time.

In previous centuries dinner had been served early to mid afternoon but towards the end of the georgian era it had slipped back to 5 or 6 o clock. I hope the above has given you some idea of how a late nineteenth century hostess might have arranged such an affair. It all depends upon the hostess. They might have fun and learn some things at the same time.

The tea time snack originally designed by the british was a way of fighting off hunger pains. This freedom continued into the dresses they were wearing which were designed to be. We will have about 70 guests. By the late victorian era afternoon tea was again mostly a pastime of the idle rich.

High tea was born from the industrial era when workers would clock off and gobble up heartier meals like. As the victorian era dawned in england tea was a commodity but by the end of the era it formed the foundation for a closely followed ritual of grand proportions. An informal afternoon tea was a great way for victorian era ladies and gentlemen to gather together for tea sweets and conversation.