Nothing establishes a Victorian
setting like carriage wheels rolling down a cobblestone street. For something
so iconic, a little more information really immerses games session into the
world of gaslight.
Until the 1900s, the word
carriage effectively meant a vehicle for transporting people, encompassing a
plethora of vehicles. In the 1850s, carriages became more economical and more
focused on carrying passengers comfortably. More and more middleclass families
bought carriages causing an even greater variety in use, design, and levels of
luxury.
This series of posts focuses on
different sorts of carriages, and gives Game Masters enough information to make
any ride, chase, escape or traffic accident unique.
Phaeton/Victoria
In
the late 1700s all fashionable gentlemen clamored to drive a Phaeton. Pulled by
one horse or two, the light open carriage with four large wheels could reach
incredible speeds, turn well, and looked very dashing. The Phaeton did not need
a driver’s seat, as its owners often wanted the thrill of driving themselves.
The most stylish Phaetons (called High Flyers) had oversized wheels, and high mountings
making them exciting, and dangerous.
That
danger is why Phaeton’s are named after Phaethon, son of the Greek sun god
Helios, who once drove the chariot of the sun. Phaethon lost
control the chariot and drove too close to the earth. To prevent the chariot
from burning the world, Zeus stopped it with a lightning bolt, killing Phaethon.
Tastes
change, and modifications in design gave the Phaeton a broader appeal. Safer, lower Phaetons with better springs led
to even more diversity of design, such as Phaetons with a collapsible top,
Phaeton’s with larger wheels in the back, and Phaetons with a seat in the back for footmen.
King
George IV wanted the joy of driving his Phaeton, but with more comfortable
seating and an easier entry. In 1824, he commissioned a carriage similar to the
Phaeton with a much lower body, smaller wheels, a foldable hooded top, and a wider seat. The resulting carriage went by many names: the Pony Phaeton,
The Queen’s Phaeton, and the Victoria.
The
Victoria’s gentle ride, pulled by a mule or pony, and the ease of entry made it a
popular ladies’ carriage as more and more women began to drive.
Tilbury/Stanhope
The Tilbury
The Stanhope
A fast sporty subset of
carriages, gigs have two wheels, light open carriages, springs for a smoother
ride, and are pulled by one horse. Their speed and light bodies made them
popular in racing, but also made them prone to terrible accidents.
In the early 1800s, Tilbury (a carriage
manufacturer of London) designed two very popular gigs: The Tilbury and the
Stanhope. Carriage maker, John Tilbury,
and the Hon. Henry FitzRoy Stanhope collaborated together on the design of their
gigs, with Stanhope providing financial support, and Tilbury the manufacturing.
The Tillbury gig has a high
padded seat and backrest curving with the back of the carriage body, a wooden
dashboard panel in the front, and a small metal grill for luggage in the rear.
The two large wheels and a complex system of leaf springs kept the ride smooth
on bumpy roads.
After naming the Tilbury after
himself, John Tilbury decided to name their next collaboration after his
patron, Stanhope. Stanhope enjoyed driving and racing, giving him numerous
ideas for the next generation gig.
In 1816, Tilbury produced the
Stanhope. The Stanhope’s sleeker appearance and more efficient design lead to
its use in horse-races, both in Europe and America. The rubber rimmed wheels,
modern spring design, and increased space for luggage lead to much imitation in
gig design.
By the 1850s, both models fell out
of favor, but Tilburys and Stanhopes remained popular, often seen racing over
dirt roads or in carriage accident reports.
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