Queen Victoria's journals
Creation
Victoria started a daily journal in 1832, when she was just thirteen years old, and her first words were, "This book, Mamma gave me, that I might write the journal of my journey to Wales in it."[1] The keeping of such journals was common at that time. She was instructed in this by her governess, Lehzen, and her mother inspected the journals each day until she became Queen.[2]
She continued writing until just ten days before her death, 69 years later, filling 122 volumes. She also wrote many letters, and, with the journals, it is estimated that she wrote over two thousand words a day — about sixty million words during her lifetime.[3]
Publication
Extracts of her journals were published during her lifetime such as Leaves from the Journal of Our Life in the Highlands which was published in 1868. The first edition sold twenty thousand copies, which was a great success. Further editions were printed, and a sequel was published — More Leaves from the Journal of Our Life in the Highlands. Extracts of her journals also appeared in
Expurgation
Victoria's daughter,
Esher transcription | Beatrice transcription |
---|---|
Got up at 20 m. to 9. My dearest Albert put on my stockings for me. I went in and saw him shave; a great delight for me. We breakfasted at ½ p.9 together. Wrote to Lord M in A.'s room. Sang to him. Dressed &c. I passed through the middle room where Lord Melbourne was with Albert. Wrote my journal. A. and I went to see Ma.. At 20 m. to 1 Albert, my dearest Albert, drove me out in the Pony carriage, the ladies following in carriages, and the gentlemen on horseback; we met Papa driving the Duchess of Sutherland; we met the Hounds, coming home; Ernest in a red coat and top boots; and in high spirits at the Hunt. It was a lovely day; we came home at 10 m. p.2. At ½ p.2 we all lunched in the Oak room. Mama came to our rooms, and then Ernest came and stayed with us. At 5 m. p.4 Lord Melbourne came to me and stayed with me till 5 m. to 5. He was not very well; talked of our having driven out; there being bad news from China; ... | We went to see Mama after breakfast & I wrote my Journal, &c. — Before 1, dearest Albert drove me out in the Pony Phaeton, the Ladies following in carriages, & the Gentlemen on horseback. We met Papa driving the Dss of Sutherland, & the Hounds coming back, Ernest in a red coat & top boots, in high spirits at the Hunt. It was a lovely day. — We all lunched in the Oak Rooms. Mama afterwards came to our rooms, & then Ernest came & stayed with us. — Saw Ld Melbourne, before 4, who stayed with me nearly an hour. Talked of there being bad news from China; ... |
Archive
The journals are stored in the
Citations
- ^ British Heritage 2021.
- ^ Marcus 2009, p. 35.
- ^ a b c Ward 2013, ch.1.
- ^ Nelson 2007, p. 152.
- ^ Gannett 1992, p. 122.
- ^ Wilson 2010.
- ^ Worsley 2011, p. 70.
- ^ Kennedy 2012.
Sources
- Gannett, Cinthia (1992), Gender and the Journal: diaries and academic discourse, ISBN 978-143840381-6
- Kennedy, Maev (24 May 2012), "Queen Victoria's private journals published online", The Guardian
- Marcus, Sharon (2009), Between Women: Friendship, Desire, and Marriage in Victorian England, ISBN 978-140083085-5 – via Internet Archive
- Nelson, Michael (2007), Queen Victoria and the Discovery of the Riviera, ISBN 978-184511345-2
- "The secrets of Queen Victoria", British Heritage Travel, 14 October 2021, retrieved 10 March 2022
- Ward, Yvonne (2013), Unsuitable for Publication: Editing Queen Victoria, ISBN 978-186395594-2
- Wilson, Benji (11 March 2010), "Victoria: a Royal Love Story - Why the Prince of Wales "had a twinkle in his eye"", The Daily Telegraph
- ISBN 978-057125953-3
External links
- Queen Victoria's Journals — online site maintained by the Bodleian Libraries and the Royal Archives which is freely available to readers in the United Kingdom. Global readers were able to access the site freely until the end of June 2013.
- Royal Archives — official website of the British monarchy.
- Extracts from Victoria's diaries