Why You WOULDN'T Survive A Victorian Workhouse | After Dark

Comments · 38

• SH

  @sharonw2008 · 10 months ago

  My Granda was brought up in the workhouse here in Northern Ireland. It was turned into a maternity hospital where i was born. He was so abused at the workhouse that when coming to meet me he was so traumatised still that my mum sent him home after a few minutes. Nobody really knows what went on other than they were all hired out as local farmhands to earn their keep. Unfortunately, because of his experience he struggled with alcohol throughout his life but had a very big stance on family and keeping family together.  😢

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• FA

  @fairyfalls55 · 6 days ago

  Definitely gives some important context to the quote "Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses?" from A Christmas Carol.

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• LY

  @lynnissa60 · 5 months ago

  There is a detailed account of a woman in a midlands workhouse having been separated from her young son. When &nbsp;she saw him in the exercise yard looking thin and staring to look ill and frail, she started to save half her food ration to pass it to him through the wire fence at exercise time<br> She was spotted, punished and a brick was built in the exercise yard to stop parents, children and wives and husbands from even speaking or seeing each other, let alone passing much needed food to them.

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• JO

  @jonbaxter2254 · 1 year ago

  I have always been darkly absorbed by Victorian workhouses, it felt like we peaked in workplace evil.

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• SA

  @sarahwatts7152 · 11 months ago

  There are stories of women in the USA in the 1930s who would rather starve on the street than get food assistance (one of the reasons why pictures of soup lines seem to be only men), so I very much believe that some people chose death over that type of government help

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• FU

  @FuturoSegurançadoAragonê · 1 year ago

  My grandpa was born in 1940&apos;s Brazil, and became an orphan at 4. He lived in a instution similar to what you were describing, it was more sanitary, but he still had to work and study. In fact, they tied his left hand on his back, so he would learn writing with his right hand. Sometimes food was spoiled, or sometimes there was little food, but he was able to build a nice life and now is enjoying retirement with his family

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• EL

  @EllelovesPink · 2 weeks ago

  I adore After Dark and enjoy your knowledge and personalities incredibly!!! It’s my actual favorite show! Wish I met you all in grad school, you’re a delightful bunch. <br><br>I wonder if you’ve ever done a video on the Robin Hood story, peeling back the story as we know it to its medieval roots (if it did originate there, gawd tell me the Victorians didn’t first invent it) and exploring the actual kernels of history that appear in some of the versions? And if you haven’t yet, especially if the John and Richard are of the Plantagenant variety, but either way, can we humbly request Eleanor Janega as the guest since her hatred of Richard is hysterical and I freaking adore her? I don’t know if you’ve done this or ever would, but I’d be so here for it if you did!!! Anyway, thanks for your hard work!

• SH

  @shaetenn · 6 months ago

  I started itching like crazy just at the intro... thanks (?) For setting the scene 😂😂 great episode

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• EL

  @Electric_Turkey · 12 days ago

  If you&apos;re in the midlands the Southwell workhouse (national trust) is well worth a visit. It is one of the most well preserved workhouses in the country and tracks its history with a different era on each floor. I think the building still had people living in it until the 1960s.<br>Also go on a cold day so you get a proper feel of what it was like on the bad days 😂

• P.

  @p.w.352 · 5 months ago

  Excellent episode. You guys are awesome!

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• NE

  @nessuno9945 · 4 months ago (edited)

  Statistics were very dire for infants -5yrs entering the workhouse, most died with in the year. No mother to care for them, as they were separated from her. If your ma was dead, well you can guess the outcome. Also, there are accounts of guards pimping-out young, desirable children to their acquaintances.<br>I think &nbsp;Jensen needs to make the distinction between debtors&apos; prison and the work house. Debtors&apos; prison was for the &apos;genteel poor&apos; had many more ammenities and liberties, and often friends would put up the cash to get you out. Dickens&apos; father /family was in debtors&apos; prison, he was sent to work blacking shoes to help earn their freedom. So, child slave labour!

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• BO

  @BookishDark · 1 month ago

  <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVlLTLTf_wQ&amp;t=2867">47:47</a> were cut from the same mood lmao!!! I’m nothing if not stubborn and spiteful as hell.