Being named after Edward VII who reigned from 1901 to 1910, the Edwardian Era is sometimes thought by others to include 1901 to the start of the First World War in 1914. This was a tine of great change, both socially and economically. There was a growing political awareness in the working class, the Labour movement and demands for better working conditions. This was a critical time for the women's suffrage campaign, the Suffragettes leading a high profile campaign for women to be given the vote.
This period was also the highlight of the British Empire, the Empire stretching across the globe. The Edwardian Era was looked upon as the "Golden Age" of tranquil summer afternoons and romantic steam rail journeys to any part of the country. This didn't change the social structure, with many still living in poverty.
King Edward VII was the son of Queen Victoria. He was a modern and outgoing King, helping to revitalize the monarchy by insisting on lavish royal ceremonies which encouraged interest and patriotism. This King forged closer political ties with France, which helped the alliance of France and Great Britain.
David LLoyd George (1863-1945) British Liberal Politician. Being Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lloyd George passed a radical budget in 1909 giving pensions and unemployment benefits, financed through higher income tax.
Winston Churchill (1874-1965). Initially elected as Conservative MP, he switched allegiance to the Liberal party in 1904. This politician assisted with the passing of the "People's Budget".
The horse, being generally cheaper and familiar to the population, continued to dominate every day travel and transportation, at the beginning of Edward VII's reign. The motor car was expensive and a status symbol for the rich, as only they could afford to buy and maintain these cars. However, by 1910 (only nine years later), transportation by the horse had become almost obsolete.
Edward VII encouraged the motor car by taking up motoring himself. The King owned several automobiles himself, all painted in his own royal claret colour, which he took for speedy drives up and down the country roads. Being an impatient and excited driver, the King would always politely proclaim to oncoming traffic of his imminent arrival with the honk of his four-key hornet horn, which the superintendent of the royal cars, who sat in the front, had to play as the King's car zoomed along.
Queen Alexandra's ownership of a motor car made the machine immediately respectable, and this encouraged many ladies to take up the "sport."
Miss Mae of Chichester Cathedral (in 1905) became the first lady to pass "the examination in driving and general proficiency set by the Royal Automobile Club for the owners of cars."
Unlike the car of today, these motor cars had no hoods or windscreens. Thus, special clothes for motoring were made and "goggles" were a must for those who drove.
Socially, the motor car increased the amount of time spent on leisure activities. Touring in the motor car became popular with many books being published on the subject between 1896 and 1914. The 1900's became the era of speed with many motor car races beginning to take place.
The motor car was kept in a motor stable with the chauffeur being called the "mechanic", as "he" drove and worked on the car. Stablehands and coach men were pensioned off or taught to drive. The mews were converted into "motor-stable" or small, attractive residences. The horse and carriage was now a thing of the past.
The motor car revolution was seen as similar to the railway revolution. The car represented the private ostentation at its most arrogant, the final triumph of the haves over the have-nots. The ultimate in Edwardian status symbol was the 1911 Rolls Royce "Silver Ghost", which cost more than what most people earned in ten years !
Edward VII --- the King of the Edwardian Era --- was the perfect monarch for this time, hence the name "The Edwardian Era." Although 59 years of age when he came to the throne, Edward Vii was already very well-known, well-liked and a very forward moving monarch. Being only a child when Edward VII came to the throne, J.B.Priestly recalled : "I can testify to his (Edward VII's) extraordinary popularity. He was in fact the most popular King England had known since the earlier 1660s."
The eldest son of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, Edward was born at 10.48 in the morning of 9th November, 1841, in Buckingham Palace. Being christened Albert Edward on 25th January, 1842, he was expected to take this name when he became King. However, Edward declined being called Albert Edward, declaring that he did not with to "undervalue the name of Albert" and diminish the status of his father with whom the "name should stand alone."
Edward VII was crowned at Westminster Abbey on 9th August, 1902. Having already married Princess Alexandra of Denmark in 1863, the couple had six children his son, George V, being his successor.
During his life, Edward was a patron of the arts and sciences and helped found the Royal College of music. Edward donated Osborne House (his parents house) on the Isle of Wight to the state and this same house can be visited even today. Edward also founded new honours, such as the Order of Merit, to recognize contributions to the arts and sciences.
Cleverly, Edward VII reintroduced the traditional ceremonies, such as the State Opening of Parliament, which endeared him to his people, as even today we love watching these very same ceremonies.
Fluent in french and German, Edward reinvented royal diplomacy by numerous state visits across Europe. Being related to nearly every other Monarch, Edward came to be known as the "uncle of Europe."
He died on 6th May, 1910, and was buried at Windsor Castle. Over 400,000 people filed past the coffin and his funeral, held on 20th May,1910, marked "the greatest assemblage of royalty and rank ever gathered in one place and, of its kind, the last."
"No, I shall not give in. I shall go on. I shall work to the end."
King Edward VII.
