I am writing the first draft of a novel (historical fiction) set in the late Victorian era between England and France. As I live and work in Japan, however, my research scope is limited to Google and the Book Depository/Amazon.jp.
The British Library recently launched a fantastic "Romantics and Victorians" feature (http://www.bl.uk/romantics-and-victorians) on their website. While this archive has been quite fascinating in its own right and an immense help, I would like to ask fellow historical fiction writers where else I might conduct research. Any free online newspaper archives from the era would be highly appreciated, too.
Also, and though it isn't research as such, I often use the Online Etymology Dictionary (http://www.etymonline.com/index.php) in addition to the Oxford/Collins/Cambridge Dictionaries to check up on word usage/anachronisms. Are there other resources like this online that would prove useful?
you're welcome - good luck!
Thank you for your comment, Lorraine. So, let’s see if I’ve got this sorted out from highest to lowest:
1 guinea
worth 21s; or,
£1 pound and 1 shilling (1/. 1s); or,
252 pence (12 pence x 21)
1 pound (1/.)
worth 20s; or,
4 crowns (5 shillings x 4); or,
240 pence (12 pence x 20)
1 half-sovereign
worth 10s; or
120 pence (12 pence x 10)
1 crown
worth 5s; or,
60 pence (12 pence x 5)
1 half-crown
worth ½ crown; or
2s and 6 pence; or,
30 pence
1 shilling (1s)
worth 2 sixpences; or
12 pence
1 sixpence
worth 6 pence
1 penny
worth 1 penny
1 halfpenny
worth ½ penny
1 farthing
worth ¼ penny
Did each of these exist as coins in 1890?
If this list is right, I will print it out and post it up near my monitor. :)
Just to add to Malcolm's currency list, don't forget the guinea - 21s, or £1 1s. Furs were still costed in guineas, for instance, right up until decimalisation. It was frequently used in Victorian times.