Flower Sellers in Victorian London
The mystery in Dark Tidings on the Thames concerns some of the poorest people in London—the lowly flower sellers.
About 90% of the flower sellers in Victorian London were girls aged from 6 to 20 years old. They sold cut flowers that were in season, and also sometimes flowers in pots, and also ‘flowers roots’ or flowers with soil still attached to the roots. Most of the flower girls bought their flowers at Covent Garden, where they could find lots of in-season choices.
They roamed the west end in search of customers, as well as the business district and the suburbs. They also sold oranges when they were available and made a little more money in that trade. They generally earned six pence a day with flowers, but could make nine pence or up to a shilling a day with fruit. Some girls, as they grew older, sold their flowers at night, to the gentlemen out on the town, and were often accused of selling themselves along with their posies.
It was a hard life, out in the weather, at the mercy of people on the streets. The girls were often canny and had to be persistent. I was happy to shine a bit of a light on their situation in this story. It’s always good to learn from the past so we can do better!
About 90% of the flower sellers in Victorian London were girls aged from 6 to 20 years old. They sold cut flowers that were in season, and also sometimes flowers in pots, and also ‘flowers roots’ or flowers with soil still attached to the roots. Most of the flower girls bought their flowers at Covent Garden, where they could find lots of in-season choices.
They roamed the west end in search of customers, as well as the business district and the suburbs. They also sold oranges when they were available and made a little more money in that trade. They generally earned six pence a day with flowers, but could make nine pence or up to a shilling a day with fruit. Some girls, as they grew older, sold their flowers at night, to the gentlemen out on the town, and were often accused of selling themselves along with their posies.
It was a hard life, out in the weather, at the mercy of people on the streets. The girls were often canny and had to be persistent. I was happy to shine a bit of a light on their situation in this story. It’s always good to learn from the past so we can do better!
