la Brocanteuse

Jun 7, 2012

Royal Journals

 

Queen Victoria in Coronation robes.

 

A message from 

HM Queen Elizabeth II

"In this the year of my Diamond Jubilee, I am delighted to be able to present, for the first time, the complete on-line collection of Queen Victoria's journals from the Royal Archives.
These diaries cover the period from Queen Victoria's childhood days to her Accession to the Throne, marriage to Prince Albert, and later, her Golden and Diamond Jubilees.
Thirteen volumes in Victoria's own hand survive, and the majority of the remaining volumes were transcribed after Queen Victoria's death by her youngest daughter, Princess Beatrice, on her mother's instructions.
It seems fitting that the subject of the first major public release of material from the Royal Archives is Queen Victoria, who was the first Monarch to celebrate a Diamond Jubilee.
It is hoped that this historic collection will make a valuable addition to the unique material already held by the Bodleian Libraries at Oxford University, and will be used to enhance our knowledge and understanding of the past."
Queen Elizabeth II signature 



visit here for all you ever wondered about:  http://www.queenvictoriasjournals.org/home.do


"For a limited time, this online collection is being made available for free to users around the world.
From July 2012 onwards it will remain freely available in perpetuity to all users within the United Kingdom as well as some specific libraries elsewhere.
Access to material in the Royal Archives, including Queen Victoria's Journals, is normally granted only to those undertaking academic research, on written application to the Senior Archivist."



Queen Victoria's Journals

"As well as detailing household and family matters, the journals reflect affairs of state, describe meetings with statesmen and other eminent figures, and comment on the literature of the day. They represent a valuable primary source for scholars of nineteenth century British political and social history and for those working on gender and autobiographical writing.
It is not clear where Queen Victoria's Journals were kept during her lifetime, though it was probably at Windsor Castle, her principal residence. Whichever volume was the current one would go with her on her travels, in the care of her Wardrobe Maids. After the Queen's death in 1901, the Journals passed to Princess Beatrice's custody (the Queens youngest daughter), although they were actually kept at Windsor, in the room set aside for the Sovereign's Private Secretary. From here, the King's Librarian would dispatch a few volumes at a time to Princess Beatrice for her to work on her transcript Only after this transcription work had been completed were the Journals transferred to the Royal Archives, in the Round Tower at Windsor Castle, and they have remained in the Archives ever since. "

Extract of information found 
on above official website 

Queen Victoria's sketch of the children - select to view the Illustrations gallerySample from a journal page in Queen Victoria's handwritingQueen Victoria's Coronation painting



6 comments:

Jane and Lance Hattatt said...

Hello Colette:
We should argue that these, and much else besides, should be in the public domain in any case and that no great favours are being done here.

But if this sounds a little sour, it is not intended to be and we are certain that the journals will make most interesting reading for those interested in Monarchy and the Victorian era.

sharon santoni at my french country home said...

Hi Colette

Saw from your last entry that you are coming back to France soon, I hope it goes without saying that you'd be welcome to drop in here for a bite to eat and a chat if you find your way up to Normandy!
Bon voyage!
Sharon
xx

La Dolfina said...

Thanks for the info Colette... My mom will be interested for sure as she loves all hings British!!!
Lots of love always!!!

Anonymous said...

What a lovely surprise...I cannot wait to read them...as you will recall I am fascinated by anything to do with the British Monarchy....thanks for posting the link Col..
Love
J

Burlap Luxe said...

Oh Colette I was delighted to see an entry from you leaving a comment on my French tour. Anita is such a little planner when it comes to parties of sorts.
The journals will make for beautiful history, my daughters father is British from England and with a strong influence of the French on one hand she has the English/British on the other side pulling at her cottage heart.

Thank you dear Friend for always surprising us with your beauty over here.
xoxo
Dore

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