ClassX Video Lessons Youtube Channel Nutty Productions What Punishment was Like in The Victorian Era
The Victorian era was a time of big changes. While technology was advancing, some old and harsh traditions still lingered, especially in the way people were punished. During this period, the police force was just starting to become more organized, but prisons were still tough places to be, much like they were in the Middle Ages. Even though technology was improving, it didn’t make punishments any less painful or harsh for those who had to endure them.
Today, treadmills are popular exercise machines, but they have a grim past. The treadmill as we know it first appeared in the Victorian era, but it wasn’t used for exercise. In 1817, Sir William Cubit invented a treadmill to keep prisoners busy in British prisons. This treadmill was a large wheel with steps, and prisoners had to climb it repeatedly. It didn’t produce anything useful; instead, it was just a way to make prisoners work hard as a form of punishment. Prisoners had to walk or climb on the treadmill for at least six hours a day, covering distances of up to 14,000 feet!
Even though it might sound like a good workout, the treadmill was not meant to be healthy for prisoners. The famous writer Oscar Wilde, who was imprisoned for indecency, suffered greatly from this punishment. He was released in 1897 but died two years later, partly because of the harsh conditions he faced in prison.
Prison life in the Victorian era was tough. Prisoners spent their days on the treadmill and their nights in small, cramped cells. This routine was exhausting and took a toll on their mental health. They burned a lot of calories climbing the treadmill, but they were given very little food, leaving them weak and malnourished. Despite these harsh conditions, the British government believed that treadmills helped improve discipline in prisons. However, after Oscar Wilde’s death, treadmills were finally abolished in 1902.
The Irish Freedom Movement was another dark chapter in history. Inspired by the French Revolution, some Irish people formed the Society of United Irishmen in 1791 to push for democracy in Ireland. The British government tried to suppress this movement with brutal punishments. These included flogging, where prisoners were whipped, and half-hanging, where prisoners were hung until nearly dead and then revived, only to be hung again. Another cruel punishment was pitchcapping, where hot tar was poured into a cap placed on a prisoner’s head.
In the 19th century, a report revealed poor educational conditions for Welsh children. To discourage them from speaking Welsh, a punishment system was created. Children caught speaking Welsh had to wear a wooden plaque with “WN” on it. This plaque was passed around, and the last child to wear it faced punishment. This was a sad way to discourage the use of their native language.
In 1881, the British army stopped using flogging as a punishment and introduced Field Punishment Number One. This involved tying offenders to a mast or wheel and monitoring their posture. This punishment was dangerous and continued until 1920, often putting offenders in harm’s way during battles.
The Victorian era was full of harsh and often cruel punishments. While some of these methods might seem unbelievable today, they were a reality for many people during that time. If you think we missed any other horrible Victorian punishments, feel free to share your thoughts!
Choose one form of punishment from the Victorian era mentioned in the article. Research more about it, including its origins, how it was implemented, and its impact on society. Prepare a short presentation to share your findings with the class. Use visuals to make your presentation engaging.
Imagine you are a prisoner in a Victorian-era prison. Write a diary entry describing a typical day, focusing on the punishments you endure and how they affect you physically and mentally. Use descriptive language to convey the harsh conditions and your emotions.
Participate in a class debate on whether the punishments used during the Victorian era were justified for maintaining discipline and order. Prepare arguments for both sides, considering the historical context and the impact on individuals and society.
Create a poster advocating for the abolition of treadmills in prisons, as was done in 1902. Highlight the negative effects of this punishment and use persuasive language and imagery to convey your message. Display your poster in the classroom.
In small groups, role-play a scene in a Welsh school during the 19th century where children are punished for speaking Welsh. Discuss how this punishment affects the students and the preservation of their language and culture. Reflect on the importance of language in identity.
**Sanitized Transcript:**
Victorian times were a period of transition for humanity, characterized by the modernization of technology alongside archaic traditions, leading to some interesting and grim outcomes. The police force was beginning to take a formal shape, but Victorian prisons remained harsh and difficult to survive in, reminiscent of the Middle Ages. The pain and punishment during this era were still unacceptable, although methods benefited from advancements in technology, which did not bode well for those subjected to them.
Welcome to Nutty History! In today’s video, we will explore what punishment was like in the Victorian era. Viewer discretion is advised, as some content may be offensive or disturbing. The makers of this video do not support or condone the actions of the subjects featured.
The treadmill, a popular piece of exercise equipment today, has a dark and gritty origin. The modern version first appeared during the Victorian era, but not for exercise. In 1817, Sir William Cubit was concerned about prisoners idling away their time in British prisons. To keep them occupied, he designed a treadmill that would grind air instead of corn, using a system of weights for resistance. These penal treadmills resembled large wheels with steps, forcing prisoners to climb repeatedly, causing the wheel to rotate. Multiple prisoners could use a single treadmill at once, often separated by partitions.
According to academic sources, Sir Cubit’s penal treadmills were considered an effective method of punishment by Victorian standards. This hard labor had no productive outcome; instead, it was seen as a form of atonement. Prisoners were required to walk or climb the treadmill for a minimum of six hours daily, covering an average of 10,000 to 14,000 feet. If harnessed for energy, this could have produced hundreds of watts. The highest record was set by prisoners at Warwick Jail, who walked an incredible 17,000 feet in a single day.
While some may think treadmill walking could be beneficial, Victorian prisons did not prioritize the health or well-being of their inmates. Notably, the famous writer Oscar Wilde, imprisoned for indecency, suffered greatly from the treadmill’s demands. He was released in 1897 but passed away two years later, largely due to the harsh conditions he endured.
Life in prison often meant spending days on the treadmill and nights in small cells, which took a toll on mental health. Climbing nearly 12,000 steps daily burned significant calories, but the meager rations left prisoners malnourished and exhausted. Despite this, the British government in 1875 credited treadmills with improving prison discipline nationwide. However, the death of Oscar Wilde led to their abolition in 1902.
The Irish Freedom Movement is another dark chapter in the history of the United Kingdom. Inspired by the French Revolution, some Irishmen formed the Society of United Irishmen in 1791 to advocate for democracy in Ireland. The society faced fierce government suppression and was driven underground. Tensions peaked in 1798 when rebellion broke out in Dublin. Although the Irish had spirit, they were poorly armed and led, resulting in a tragic loss of life.
In attempts to suppress the United Irish Society, British authorities employed various forms of punishment, including flogging and half-hanging. Flogging is well-known, while half-hanging involved letting prisoners dangle before cutting them down, only to repeat the process. Picketing involved placing bare soles on pegs, inflicting unbearable pain. Pitchcapping, a particularly cruel punishment, involved pouring hot tar into a conical cap placed on a prisoner’s head.
In the 19th century, a report highlighted the poor educational conditions for Welsh children, leading to a punishment system aimed at discouraging the use of the Welsh language. Children caught speaking Welsh were made to wear a wooden plaque inscribed with “WN.” This plaque was passed around among students, creating a sadistic game where the last child to wear it faced punishment.
The British army abolished flogging as a punishment in 1881, leading to the invention of Field Punishment Number One. Offenders could be tied to a mast or wheel and were monitored for their posture. This punishment continued until 1920 and was considered life-threatening, often exposing offenders to shellfire.
Do you think we missed any horrible Victorian punishments? If so, let us know in the comments below, and make sure to like and subscribe. Thanks for watching Nutty History!
Punishment – A penalty given to someone for a crime or wrong they have done – In the 19th century, punishment for crimes often included harsh measures such as imprisonment or hard labor.
Treadmill – A device used in prisons for punishment, where prisoners had to walk continuously – During the Victorian era, the treadmill was used as a form of punishment to keep prisoners occupied and disciplined.
Prisoners – Individuals who are confined in a prison as a result of committing a crime – Prisoners in the 1800s often faced severe conditions and were required to perform hard labor.
Victorian – Relating to the period of Queen Victoria’s reign from 1837 to 1901 – The Victorian era was marked by significant social, political, and technological changes in Britain.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs – Understanding history helps us learn from past mistakes and shape a better future.
Irish – Relating to Ireland or its people – The Irish potato famine in the mid-19th century led to a massive migration of Irish people to other countries, including the United States.
Democracy – A system of government where the citizens exercise power by voting – Ancient Athens is often credited as the birthplace of democracy, where citizens participated directly in decision-making.
Flogging – A form of punishment where a person is beaten with a whip or stick – Flogging was a common punishment in the military and navy during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Education – The process of receiving or giving systematic instruction, especially at a school or university – Education reform in the 19th century aimed to make schooling accessible to all children, regardless of their social class.
Welsh – Relating to Wales or its people – The Welsh language and culture have a rich history that has been preserved through music, literature, and festivals.
