Pawnbrokers in Victorian Era England

by Edwina Kiernan

As industrialization took hold of Victorian society, so did economic disparities. Pawn shops soon became vital in providing a financial lifeline, especially to those struggling in the shadows of the Victorian class structure.

It was mostly the poverty-stricken lower classes and the struggling middle class who found most use of their services. But, occasionally, higher class men in need of ready cash would dare to grace their premises, too. After all, times were hard, and the need for short-term financial relief was a constant reality. Thus, pawnbrokers soon became the go-to solution for individuals struggling with economic hardship.

Not only could clients pawn their personal possessions for some quick cash, but those excluded from traditional financial institutions could almost use pawn shops as a makeshift bank.

Transactions were simple: individuals could bring in valuables such as jewelry, watches, or household items, and receive a loan based on the estimated value of the collateral. The pawned items would then be held as security until the borrower repaid the loan with interest.

Victorian engagement ring, made of Burmese pink sapphires arranged as a double heart

Owing to the era’s radical industrialization, the working class often held unstable employment, and sudden economic downturns were not uncommon. Pawnbrokers offered a safety net, allowing individuals to secure funds swiftly without the added stress of dealing with the bureaucratic hurdles of traditional banking.

But while pawn shops were a welcome lifeline for many Victorians, many others placed a stigma on those who frequented them. The higher classes often viewed pawnbrokers as the last resort for the desperate and destitute, even though the reality was more nuanced, as middle-class families made frequent use of their services when times grew increasingly more difficult.

Victorian pawn shops were often dimly lit, cramped spaces adorned with an eclectic array of items – from pocket watches to family heirlooms. The process of pawning an item involved negotiation, assessment of value, and the inevitable exchange of collateral for cash. The pawnbroker's keen eye for appraising goods became a skill in itself, as the pawnbrokers themselves needed to discern the true worth of such diverse items.

As the prominence of pawnbrokers increased, so did the need for regulation. The Pawnbrokers Act of 1872 in the United Kingdom laid the foundation for governing these establishments. The legislation aimed to protect both pawnbrokers and borrowers by establishing guidelines for fair transactions, interest rates, and the duration of loans. This legal framework contributed to the legitimization of pawnbroking as a respected financial service.

The Victorian era left an indelible mark on literature and culture, and pawn shops found their way into various works of fiction. Charles Dickens, a keen observer of societal injustices, often depicted pawnbrokers in his novels. In David Copperfield, for instance, the protagonist pawns his coat to survive, highlighting the ubiquity of pawn shops as a means of financial survival. In A Christmas Carol, a few of Scrooge’s acquaintances are eager to pawn his possessions in his vision of Christmas Yet To Come. And in my own novel, Restoring Miss Hastings, high-class gentleman Edmund Derringer reluctantly makes use of the local pawnbroker’s services as he tries to build back the family wealth he lost in an ill-chosen speculation.

From A Chistmas Carol, by Charles Dickens. Fred Barnard's illustration shows Scrooge's charlady and laundrywoman joining the undertaker's man to pawn his belongings, in the process revealing how they really felt about him.

Today, the legacy of Victorian pawn shops extends beyond the nineteenth century. These establishments laid the groundwork for modern pawnbroking, adapting to societal changes and technological advancements. While the stereotype of pawn shops as havens for the desperate persists, contemporary pawnbrokers continue to provide the same valuable financial services to a new generation of those who need them. Yet again, a Victorian legacy lives on, serving as a testament to the resilience of those who, in times of need, sought solace and financial relief within the walls of the pawnbroker’s premises.

Did You Know?

A pawnbroker's shop features in my novel, Restoring Miss Hastings... and you can grab a free copy by clicking the link or graphic below! :)

Penniless and alone, a stranger takes her in. But will her presence ruin his plans to restore all he’s lost? Get your FREE copy here: Restoring Miss Hastings

About The Author:

Edwina Kiernan is an award-winning author of Christian Historical Romance. She lives in rainy Ireland with her husband and son, and uses her pen to point people to Jesus - the Living Word. She also drinks more types of tea than most people realize even exist. Find out more at EdwinaKiernan.com, and sign up for her weekly newsletter for lots of fun, fiction, freebies and faith.

The Knocker-Uppers

By Jennifer Uhlarik

 

Yesterday, I had to do something that I don’t do very often anymore. I had to set my alarm clock. This used to be a usual part of my day. Set the clock so I could wake at the proper time to get to work…or later, to make sure my young son got off to school on time. Or my husband’s alarm would wake me when he had to get up for work. But since my husband retired and I work from home…and my son is an adult, weeks from getting married, and just moved into his own apartment, I am in that delightful stage of life where I don’t have to turn on an alarm clock except on very rare occasions. I’m loving the stage of being able to gently awaken at whatever time my body says its ready.

 

Have you ever thought about how people awakened in the times before alarm clocks were so readily available. I recall reading in Louis L’Amour novels how the cowboys would drink copious amounts of water before heading to their bedrolls so that their full bladders would awaken them. While that method would work to make sure you awakened at some point, it doesn’t seem a very reliable way to make sure you awakened at the right time.

 

So what was the answer to awakening for work on time? In places like Britain, Ireland, the Netherlands, and some other countries, the answer was to hire a Knocker-Upper. Yes, there were people who could be hired to be your professional alarm clock.

Granny Cousins worked as a knocker-upper
from 1901-1918

This occupation became necessary as the Industrial Revolution began in the 1800s. As advancements in industrialization took place, Britain and other countries moved from working the family farm to people working in big cities for employers. No longer could they rise with the sun to work their fields. They had actual shifts they must work, and they needed to be sure to be awake and at their posts in timely manners. Since alarm clocks were not easily available—and often not accurate if one could purchase one—the workforce of the Industrial Revolution relied on the Knocker-Uppers.

These people were typically night owls who were awake in those dusk to dawn hours anyway and who would sleep during daylight hours until about 4 pm. Sometimes, they were elderly gentlemen. Other times, young women in the family way would fulfill the role. Still other were police officers who patrolled in those overnight hours and wanted to supplement their income with a bit extra. Whoever they were, these human alarm clocks had the sole task of being sure their clients received a gentle nudge when their wake-up time rolled around—all for about six pence a week.

Mrs. Bowers and her dog Jack
Note the rubber mallet she used to knock on
doors or windows.

 

However, it wasn’t as simple as going to the door and knocking or ringing the bell. To do so would awaken the household—but usually only one in the household had paid for the service. So as a knocker-upper, you didn’t want to inadvertently wake people for free. To combat that problem, these service providers developed ingenious ways of waking only the ones who had asked for a wake-up call. 

 

Many Knocker-Uppers carried long sticks, often made of bamboo, which could reach from the street level to a second-story window. They would use the stick to tap gently on a certain window three or four times before they moved on. Others used a wood or metal baton—short in length—to tap on a door. Some chose a rubber mallet as their knocker of choice. And a few ingenious sorts used reeds or rubber tubes to shoot pebbles or peas at the window of their customer.

Mary Smith used a pea shooter to awaken
her customers

Some knocker-uppers would take their jobs so seriously, they would stand and continue to knock at their customer’s door or window until the person waved to them to say they were awake. However, many were busy enough with customers that they gave three quick taps at a window or door and moved on, trusting their customer to have heard. 

 

To make the job easier for the knocker-uppers, some customers began putting slates outside their doors with the details of when they wished to be awakened. These “knocky-boards” would often have their shifts for the week written on them, or just a general time to awaken them each morning. 

A customer waves to her knocker-upper
to say she was awake.

 

This little-known profession was well-known enough in the late 1800s that it was written about in both fiction and historical accounts. For instance, Charles Dickens included a mention of a character being in a sour mood after being “knocked up” in chapter six of Great Expectations. And in the writing on Jack the Ripper, the man who found the Ripper’s first victim, Mary Nichols, said he told a police officer in the area, but said officer was busy enough awakening people that he was non-committal about coming to investigate the body of the dead woman.

 

All told, this interesting profession was started during the Industrial Revolution in the 1800s, and it was largely phased out in the 1940s and 1950s in most places. But in some small communities, it continued well into the 1970s.

 

It’s Your Turn: Have you ever heard of a knocker-upper? If you lived during the Industrial Revolution, would you have considered going into such a profession? Why or why not?

 

Award-winning, best-selling novelist Jennifer Uhlarik has loved the western genre since she read her first Louis L’Amour novel. She penned her first western while earning a writing degree from University of Tampa. Jennifer lives near Tampa with her husband, son, and furbabies. www.jenniferuhlarik.com

 

Love’s Fortress by Jennifer Uhlarik

 

A Friendship From the Past Brings Closure to Dani’s Fractured Family

 

When Dani Sango’s art forger father passes away, Dani inherits his home. There, she finds a book of Native American drawings, which leads her to seek museum curator Brad Osgood’s help to decipher the ledger art. Why would her father have this book? Is it another forgery?

 

Brad Osgood longs to provide his four-year-old niece, Brynn, the safe home she desperately deserves. The last thing he needs is more drama, especially from a forger’s daughter. But when the two meet “accidentally” at St. Augustine’s 350-year-old Spanish fort, he can’t refuse the intriguing woman.

 

Broken Bow is among seventy-three Plains Indians transported to Florida in 1875 for incarceration at ancient Fort Marion. Sally Jo Harris and Luke Worthing dream of serving on a foreign mission field, but when the Indians reach St. Augustine, God changes their plans. However, when Sally Jo’s friendship with Broken Bow leads to false accusations, it could cost them their lives.

 

Can Dani discover how Broken Bow and Sally Jo’s story ends and how it impacted her father’s life?

 

 

The Story Behind The Hymn—Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus

 By Jennifer Uhlarik

 

Come, thou long expected Jesus,

born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.
Israel's strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.


Born thy people to deliver,
born a child and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever,
now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all sufficient merit,
raise us to thy glorious throne.


I don’t know about you, but this hymn has been a staple in my church during the weeks leading up to this Christmas. And what beauty the two verses express. But do you know who penned these words, or what inspired the song? Let me briefly tell you.

Charles Wesley

These words were written by Charles Wesley (1707-1788) who, along with his brother John, were the founders of the Methodist movement within the Church of England. John and Charles are credited with leading many to Christ during the Methodist revival in America and England, through both their preaching and hymn-singing. Charles was a prolific hymn writer who wrote over 6,500 hymns in his lifetime, including this one, as well as Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.

Wesley was inspired to write Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus in 1744 as he walked the streets of London and saw the great dichotomy between classes. The wealthy lived like kings in comparison to those who’d fallen on hard times. Some were fortunate enough to secure some form of low-rate housing, but worked long, arduous hours to stay in such accomodations. Then there were the “Blackguard Children” or “Blackguard Youth”—the homeless orphans and runaway children the likes of which inspired Charles Dickens’s Oliver Twist and other such writings of the time. These children particularly caught Wesley’s attention, as many lived in squalor on the streets, starving and freezing to death. They were known to form gangs who pilfered, pickpocketed, and begged for what little they got. As Wesley walked the streets and saw this great contrast, Haggai 2:7 came to mind:

and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,’ says the Lord of hosts. (NKJV)

As he pondered these words alongside the dismal poverty he saw around him, the lyrics of the hymn began to form in his mind. When he sat to write, he scribbled words that both evoked the longing of ancient Israel for their promised Messiah, as well as his own longing for the Lord to come and change the circumstances he saw while walking the streets of London. The song that he churned out became so popular that it was not only printed in a small hymnal of Christmas songs, but that hymnal would go on to be reprinted no less than twenty times in Wesley’s lifetime alone, as well as the song being printed in other books in England and America both.

 

May the beautiful words wash over you this Christmas as we celebrate the birth of Christ today—and await his second coming!

 

Merry Christmas to all our faithful readers, from each of the authors at Heroes, Heroines, and History!

Award-winning, best-selling novelist Jennifer Uhlarik has loved the western genre since she read her first Louis L’Amour novel. She penned her first western while earning a writing degree from University of Tampa. Jennifer lives near Tampa with her husband, son, and furbabies. www.jenniferuhlarik.com

 

 

Marriage of Charles Dickens and Catherine Hogarth

Blogger: Amber Schamel

Young Catherine Hogarth
Public Domain

April 2 happens to be the wedding anniversary of Charles Dickens and his wife Catherine Hogarth. So enjoy these tidbits about the famous author, his wife, and their marriage. 

Catherine Hogarth was born in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1815 to George and Georgina Hogarth. They moved to England in 1834 when her father took a job as a music critic for the Morning Chronicle. Catherine was nineteen years old at the time, and in the blushing beauty of her youth. The eldest daughter of 10 children, Catherine was both intelligent and responsible.

Charles Dickens was also working for the Morning Chronicle at the time, and he was immediately captivated by the intelligence and beauty of this young woman. Dickens invited her as a guest to his twenty third birthday party. He evidently came to adore her very much, and the sentiment seems to be reciprocated since Catherine wrote to her cousin that "Mr. Dickens improves very much upon acquaintance." 

"When the couple met, Charles put Catherine on a pedestal. His childhood was scarred by poverty and the shadow of the debtors’ prison; in contrast, Catherine came from a comfortable, happy middle-class family. I believe Dickens wanted to emulate that: he wanted a wife and mother who would give his children stability and a carefree home. Catherine became his ideal woman." Lucinda Hawksley of BBC 

The attachment progressed, and Dickens proposed in 1835. Catherine and Charles were married April 2, 1836 in London.

Young Charles Dickens

They began their married life in a small flat in London. Both seemed incredibly happy. Dickens even remarked that if he were ever to become rich and famous, he would never be as happy as he was in that little flat with Catherine. As for Mrs. Dickens, she was incredibly proud of her husband and his successes, and she even traveled with him to America in 1842. During their journey, Dickens penned a letter to a friend stating that Catherine never felt gloomy or lost courage throughout their long journey by ship, and "adapted to any circumstances without complaint".

"In addition to being a mother, Catherine was an author, a very talented actress, an excellent cook and, in her husband’s words, a superb traveling companion. But as the wife of such a famous figure, all of that has been eclipsed" ~ Lucinda Hawksley of BBC 

Charles and Catherine had 10 children during their union and enjoyed many happy years together.

For more detailed information on Catherine's life, I suggest this article from BBC written by one of the great granddaughters of the couple. 
http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20160519-the-forgotten-wife-of-charles-dickens

*****

Because of the COVID-19 Stay at home order, I've discounted ALL of my ebooks to only $0.99 on Amazon. Ebooks can be read on any phone, tablet or computer by downloading the free Amazon kindle app. 

Books are a great way to pass the time while infusing your soul with uplifting and inspirational messages. My way of saying, stay safe and healthy. God bless you all!
https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00CIXK91M

 Two-time winner of the Christian Indie Award for historical fiction, Amber Schamel writes riveting stories that bring HIStory to life. She lives in Colorado Springs near her favorite mountain, Pikes Peak.

 

First Author Reading of A Christmas Carol in America

Blogger: Amber Schamel

Charles Dickens 1867

On this day, December 2nd, of 1867, Charles Dickens kicked off his first reading tour of The Christmas Carol in the United States. 

The Christmas Carol has become an iconic classic when it comes to Christmas stories, and the tale merits the success. Dickens originally published the work in England during December of 1863, however it was not until four years later that he traveled to the United States to promote the book. This was the first time he had been on a tour to the United States since 1842, and he was amazed at the growth of the nation's cities during his absence.

Dickens arrived in Boston on November 19th, and was taken to the Parker House for lodging. The hotel, at the time, was well-known and frequented by politicians and affluent personalities. Since his readings didn't begin until December 2, the author had time to recuperate from his long journey and meet with some friends and business contacts.  Dickens stayed at the Parker House for a total of five months, as he regaled adoring crowds with the reading of his Christmas tale. The hotel currently holds possession of the door to Dickens' guest room when he stayed in 1867 and the mirror used by him for rehearsals.

 The Parker House was the meeting place for a group called the Saturday Club. This club was composed of historians, philosophers, writers, scientists, and other notable thinkers of the day, and they would gather monthly for food and conversation. It was to this group that Dicken's first reading of The Christmas Carol was performed on December 2. You can imagine how nervous he must have been to perform his work before such an esteemed group of individuals. 

Parker House as it would have looked when Dickens stayed there.

 By the time Dickens finished his United States tour, he had conducted 423 paid readings, which proved to be a lucrative trip for him. While his gross tour income of £45,000 had a lot of expenses taken out of it, he did end up with about £19,000 to take to the bank. According to the Bank of England's inflation calculator, this would translate to over two million British pounds in today's money. That doesn't count the amount he made from the actual sale of books.

How many of you plan to make The Christmas Carol part of your holiday season this year?

*****

Amber Schamel is the author of Solve by Christmas, and the two-time winner of the Christian Indie Award for historical fiction. She writes riveting stories that bring HIStory to life. Her passions for travel, history, books and her Savior results in what her readers call "historical fiction at its finest".  She lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado as a very happy newlywed. Amber is a proud member of the American Christian Fiction Writers Association. Visit her online at www.AmberSchamel.com/ and download a FREE story by subscribing to her Newsletter!