Manor House
"If I'd been born 100 years ago a woman of my class would almost certainly have been in service. And I'd like to know what that meant." Antonia, kitchen maid
THE PROJECT|THE HOUSE|THE PEOPLE|EDWARDIAN LIFE|YOU IN 1905|TREATS|SNOB QUIZ
A collection of archived photographs

You work on a temporary basis
- A Snapshot of your life as it might have been in 1905

Education
You never go to school and start work when you're ten.

Career Prospects
You have temporary jobs, none lasting more than six months, as you keep having to take time out to rest your bad back. You join a friendly society to help you out. You take home a few shillings for a week's hard work and have to make sure it lasts a long time.

Leisure Time
You drink methylated spirits - it's the only alcohol you can afford at 4p a pint.

Living Conditions
You share various rooms in lodgings with other men. Some weeks you're unable to afford to pay the rent and you're often evicted.

Marital Relations
You don't marry but you make up for it by spending time with girls from the street.

World War One
You try to sign up to join the army when the war starts but after a medical examination, you're rejected on medical grounds.

Position in Society

Position in society
Further up Your life as it might have been further UP society's ladder.
Position in society Position in society

Other Possible Occupations
Gas worker, Furnace man, Quarry worker, Stoker, Blacksmith's striker, Labourer, Glass worker

General Statistics

  • In 1910, there were only 1000 divorces a year
  • A married couple would not normally share a bedroom
  • There was no National Health Service or social security service

Background to You in 1905