Edwardian Summer, 1900S

Edwardian Summer, 1900S Synopsis

The relief of Mafeking in May 1900 was greeted with unparalleled jubilation up and down the land. Baden-Powell, who had led the town's defence, was acclaimed a hero. Eight years later, he had a bestseller on his hands with "Scouting for Boys", a book inspired by the boys who were his message carriers during the Mafeking siege.

Edward VII finally ascended the throne at the start of 1901 and his persona dominated high society taste and fashion throughout the Edwardian era. But Britain now had people who questioned the differences between classes and sexes. The Labour Party formed with Kier Hardy as its leading light, and the Suffragette movement led by the radical Emmeline Pankhurst was gaining momentum through its policy of civil disobedience.

Meanwhile, the working class worked: Britain's mighty shipyards were turning out most of the ships on the world's oceans, including massive Dreadnought battleships and luxurious ocean liners.