As we enjoy this beautiful holiday Monday we may wish to raise a glass to the woman responsible for this National long weekend. Her name is Queen Victoria…and until 2015 when Queen Elizabeth stole the title she was the longest reigning monarch in England. With a total of 63 years on the throne this must be viewed as a rather large accomplishment in a time when many people did not live past 40. The period of her reign was known appropriately as the Victorian Era which is hallmarked by strict standards of personal morality and dress.
Victoria was born on May 24th, 1819 and was the fifth in line to the throne. When all four of her brothers died without heirs she ascended to the throne following a rather sad and lonely childhood. She was an 18 year old Queen, married to her first cousin when someone tried to kill her during her first pregnancy! She went on to have eight children and many more assassination attempts all while ruling an empire until her death in 1901 at the age of 81.
Her legacy includes the gradual establishment of a modern constitutional monarchy and reforms to the voting system which increased the power of the House of Commons and reduced the rule of the house of Lords. This forever changed the role of the British Monarchy and informs the way in which the current Queen interacts with the Prime Minister. In 1867, Walter Bagehot wrote that the monarch only retained “the right to be consulted, the right to encourage, and the right to warn.”
What a lady. What a life.
Both Millstone locations will be CLOSED on Monday May 21st.
Remember, life opens up when you do. So pull up a barstool and have some fun.
Millstone Public House Dartmouth (902)461-8053 250 Baker Drive
Millstone Public House Bedford (902)431-8053 50 Gary Martin Drive
www.millstonepublichouse.com
