The Country Maid Companion Blog Part Nine - The Dangers of Victorian Bathing Costumes

The sounds of children’s laughter and crying gulls were dulled by Grace’s hammering pulse. Rebecca had yet to surface.

Catastrophe strikes during a day out at the beach. When Rebecca gets swept out to sea, it’s no thanks to her bathing costume that Grace struggles to save her.

As mentioned in Part 8 of The Country Maid companion blog, Victorians kept men and women apart on beaches, but there was still a risk of a lady being seen in a state of undress once they emerged from their bathing machine, which led to a cumbersome bathing costume so the wearer would be absolutely certain no-one else was scandalised.

During the 18^th and early 19^th centuries, women’s swimming costumes were ankle length gowns and drawers made of wool or flannel so it wouldn’t become see through when wet. However, while swimming, the skirt would of course float up. To prevent this, small lead weights were stitched into the underside. A deadly accessory if a swimmer encountered difficulties while in the water. In the mid-1800s, these sea dresses became two-piece bathing suits with a knee length jacket, belt and bloomers.

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Grace and Rebecca’s rescuer is an archaeologist who has come to Cromer to study prehistoric fossils. The coastal town has a rich history hidden within its cliffs, known as the Cromer Forest Bed, with its oldest discovery being from two million years ago. The remains of hippopotamus, mammoths, even the tooth of sabretooth cat have been unearthed here and fossils often appear after a storm has chipped away at the landscape.

A more recent discovery can be read about on the BBC website: West Runton: Fossil hunters find prehistoric elephant bones - BBC News

It’s fascinating what decades of silt and hardened chalk can be hiding and what else might be found in the future.

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The book Rebecca is reading at the end of this part is Hide and Seek by Wilkie Collins, which was published in 1854. It is a mystery revolving around a young girl from the circus whose origin is unknown, a woman who was seduced and hounded from her home for being pregnant, and a bracelet made of hair… I chose this book as a hint that some characters aren’t who they make themselves out to be.

Things seem to be looking up for Grace after she helps rescue Rebecca, but will Lady Marchant be able to see past the disgraced maid making waves again?

(Series Breakdown)

Part 9: Grace drags Rebecca free only to be pulled under herself. She is rescued by holidaymaker Alex Bedingfield. While Grace recovers, she overhears Alex and Rebecca chatting and realises the girl is quite taken with him. Later, Grace gently teases her only for Rebecca to become tight-lipped and slam shut her book, which has a letter peeking out.