British Gents, A Little Help Please
- Thread starter lordofthepiperings
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The original question was a good one since I too often wondered. But man I tell you, I will stick with the good old dollar, that was a lesson too far for my brain to comprehend. I will stick with my old thinking of when watching an old british show that they are giving money, and money in some fashion or time was worth something, unlike now a days....
I've been re-reading some of my Dads old "Just William" books, written in the 1930s and 40s. The main character is an 11 year old and the family are of average wealth - his dad works in an office. He got 1 Shilling a week pocket money which was enough for a sweets / candies but he would have to save up for a couple of weeks for something like a toy train or similar. When a relative visited he would be delighted if they left him a half crown (2 and a half shillings or 2 shillings and 6 pence)tip for a treat. So as a VERY rough guide when watching something set in pre-World War Two Britain, Half a Crown would be similar to giving someone something like $10 or $20 today.
For stories such as Sherlock Holmes set in Victorian Britain (1819 - 1901) the following guide might be helpful - A general office Clerk would earn around 25 Shillings a week. A washer woman washing cloths by hand for 11 hours a day might get 2 Shillings 6 Pence (Half a Crown) a day. A manual worker, eg unloading coal from ships could earn £39 a year and a sewer worker £52 a year. A Teacher would earn about £75 a year and a Steam Boat crew member 26 Shillings a week. Hope that these examples give you an idea of how much a Shilling was worth when you read or watch something like Sherlock Holmes.
For stories such as Sherlock Holmes set in Victorian Britain (1819 - 1901) the following guide might be helpful - A general office Clerk would earn around 25 Shillings a week. A washer woman washing cloths by hand for 11 hours a day might get 2 Shillings 6 Pence (Half a Crown) a day. A manual worker, eg unloading coal from ships could earn £39 a year and a sewer worker £52 a year. A Teacher would earn about £75 a year and a Steam Boat crew member 26 Shillings a week. Hope that these examples give you an idea of how much a Shilling was worth when you read or watch something like Sherlock Holmes.
Philip - Well Scrooge was a miser and would have underpaid his staff. The Clerks wages I quoted was from 1889 so inflation would have added a little to the level of pay. A Christmas Carol is one of my favourite books and I'd advise anyone who likes to read to give it a go this Holiday.
Been looking at some other sites that list some of the costs of living in Victorian era. To rent rooms in 1879, nicely furnished rooms in the better parts of London (again think Sherlock Holmes) would cost as much as 5 to 25 Shillings a week. Bob Cratchit wages would only have covered a small rented house in the poorest part of London, with not much left over for food, cloths etc.
EDIT - One more quick note: For much of that period, £1 would have bought you $11! If only that was the same now, I would be doing all my shopping in the USA :clap:
Been looking at some other sites that list some of the costs of living in Victorian era. To rent rooms in 1879, nicely furnished rooms in the better parts of London (again think Sherlock Holmes) would cost as much as 5 to 25 Shillings a week. Bob Cratchit wages would only have covered a small rented house in the poorest part of London, with not much left over for food, cloths etc.
EDIT - One more quick note: For much of that period, £1 would have bought you $11! If only that was the same now, I would be doing all my shopping in the USA :clap:
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