Blogs & News

: Online Talk: Bad Women

‘Revenge may be wicked, but it's perfectly natural.’ Becky Sharpe, Vanity Fair, 1847 The stereotype of the Victorian woman is that of a domestic angel, pure, innocent and a helpmate to her husband. But the women in this talk challenge that with a vengeance! Enjoy a look at the dark side with the bad women of Vanity Fair, Mary Barton, Little Dorrit, Daniel Deronda and many more. Join Sherry Ashworth for a look at how the worst women

: Online Talk: Passion and Propriety – Elizabeth Gaskell’s Fashion

Elizabeth Gaskell had a love of fashion, enjoying foreign styles on her travels, and a fan of beautiful shawls and patterns at home. This talk by Margo Singer looks at Elizabeth's conflicting reactions to contemporary fashions in her letters and novels, as she sought to reconcile her desire for conservative dress for her daughters, and re-use of old clothes, with her natural love of fashion and style. Tickets £5 ‘Excellent... The speaker's knowledge of the times was fascinating

: Online Talk: Victorian Christmas in Elizabeth Gaskell’s Manchester

At the start of Queen Victoria’s reign, Christmas meant little to commercial Manchester but during the 1840s-1860s the city came to share in an upsurge of enthusiasm for the festive season. Elizabeth Gaskell's Manchester saw a boom in the Christmas trade in food, wine and gifts, the expansion of seasonal entertainments like pantomime and the revival of old customs. Even the Mechanics Institution sponsored a series of pageants involving wassail bowls and boars’ heads. And if Christmas was

: Online Tour of Elizabeth Gaskell’s House

Using 360-degree photography our expert guides will bring Manchester's literary heritage to life via an online tour of Elizabeth Gaskell's House. You can learn about Elizabeth Gaskell's writing, family life and famous guests. Discover the Morning Room, Study, Drawing and Dining Rooms and recently restored Bedroom. Find out how Elizabeth's husband, William, supported her and how her life in Manchester influenced the famous books she wrote. Then enjoy learning about the celebrated guests who visited the House, including

: Online Talk: ‘A Grand Quarrel’ Between Elizabeth Gaskell and Florence Nightingale

What was the 'grand quarrel' between Elizabeth Gaskell and Florence Nightingale? Join us online to find out why these two eminent Victorian women disagreed over the role of mothers, and how each represented a different kind of feminism - long before feminism became a recognised movement. Author and psychotherapist Naomi Stadlen will explore the arguments that these two brilliant and original women put forth, and question whether we need to vote for one of them - or do