Amazing work!

As an archivist / historian, I definitely agree that the clothing you see that’s survived the centuries are the fancy clothes of the rich - because they could afford clothes you wore a few times and could be saved. The clothes of the working people were worn day after day until the wore out. Then any good cloth was salvaged for children’s clothes, while scraps went to make rugs, quilts, and rags to clean with, and even tiny scraps and threads were used as wicks in candles and gas lamps. The great thing was that there was no waste. No clothes being tossed out because it was no longer this years fashion.

The joyful, unbridled way in which these three conduct themselves absolutely places them among the top presenters/documentarians of all time...and Ruth, oh, her charisma is spell binding with her delightfully gentle beauty, laughter and depth of character. And Peter, that guy is a team of horses in his own right. Never has a man worked so hard and kept a great spirit about him. Okay all, I’m finished! Thanks Absolute History.

I can never get enough of Ruth, Alex, and Peter! Thank you for posting these :)

I started sewing when I was 3, and embroidery at about 5. It's a skill that needs to be commonly taught again, but to everyone.

Peter: “This takes me back to my childhood” “Was your father a blacksmith?” Peter: “No, I used to play with Legos” 😆

I was here for the making of marble wrapping paper but got a whole documentary of the day-to-day Victorian farmers' lives. Ain't complaining.

I absolutely love these videos. I wish they had these with Ruth, Alex, and Peter when I was in school. I would have learned history so much better than reading from a book. Watching them makes history so much more real to me. Thanks to Ruth, Alex, and Peter I am learning at the age of 48. Every time I learn something new I have to share it with my boyfriend even tho he gives me a look like I don't care lol.

I would love to do something like this for the summer. Everyone works so hard and looks like they thoroughly enjoy what they’re doing. Poor Peter, always looking dirty haha looks good on ya. Those who came for just the paper, you should watch the whole series; it’s very good!

Ruth's commitment to and extremely evident joy derived from historic preservation makes my heart sing!

I think Ruth should get the MVP award. She seems to make everything fun and is a delight.

During Hurricane Sandy that hit NJ so hard several years ago, we were without power for 2 weeks. Luckily we were living in a log cabin with a fireplace, and we had just stacked a cord of wood 2 days before the hurricane hit. Due to the lack of power, I unpacked my great-grandmother's hurricane lamps from the late 1800s, to use for light. My grandmother always said, the English don't buy antiques. They just never get rid of anything, lol. They were in wooden crates and hadn't been unpacked since WW2, judging by the news they were wrapped in. They worked quite well, and I was thankful, I had saved them. They shed more than enough light to read by. Even though the hurricane was devastating, I have to say that those 2 weeks we lived with no technology, cooked over a fire, boiled water to wash dishes and clothes, and all pitched in to get all the work done by sundown every day; it was one of the happiest and most relaxed I've ever seen my family, and I loved it.( I also found that in a pinch, a wide flat sneaker shoelace makes a good wick if you cut the tips off :)

Peter was a true trooper working hard to make the bricks, lay them, and get the floor ready for the forge. I learned a lot about the process.

peter is such a champ, alex always makes him do the heavy lifting and he always takes it with a laugh

I'm starting to get the impression that Mr. Acton simply wants his property restored, thus allowing the use of his property for the show Lol

I adore these wonderful bits of Early 19th century farmland history. Interestingly, we received s a wedding gift, an antique, 1830 Mennonite “Log Cabin” quilt, from the Mennonite couple who were the witnesses at our wedding 47 years ago (in just 5 days). Our quilt needed some restoration several years ago & while re-sewing some of the Log Cabin panels, I discovered they used 📄 Old dingy white paper between the panels. I’m not certain of the writing on it; it long ago faded. I doubt it was Newspaper. Even in the late 20th century, Mennonites in our area at least, did not read the Newspapers & of course TVs were Verboten. Our area’s Mennonite as friendly as they were to us, were quite religious & strict about “outsider” things. Our area of Pennsylvania was virtually all STRICT Mennonite. We were some of the first to sort of invade that farmland community. Sadly, the farmland is all but gone now, replaced by awful, ugly, condo-type development row homes. The stunning farmhouses are gone; they are literally history. Still, it was such an amazing discovery, to find that old white paper between the panels of our Log Cabin quilt. . I imagine, the tricks of staying warm during that period of history, extended to a great many framers & were employed, throughout colonial & post-colonial farming communities. Many Thanks 🙏🏼 to the creators of this series. It’s just so interesting, informative and just brilliantly produced.

My late father used to handpaint his wrapping paper. I always thought it a little odd that the color and design didn't fit with the gifts occasion. But it looked very much like this. Perhaps there was more of a history behind it than I realized.

I've seen this one, but I can watch this excellent group over and over again! I'm hooked on their programs!

Those "Victorian candy hearts" remind me of a candy here in the States called Necco Wafers. Flavored with mint, clove, anise, and even chocolate. Often used to make shingles on gingerbread houses.

I've watched this for a few years and I'm still amazed at your dedication! To go back in history would be so amazing!

They didn't need a workout back then! They simply worked...

It is a joy to see this trio together again!🥰

The secret to being productive, of these Victorian times was to be continuously doing towards an end product. This series brings constant reminders of a successful household workload

As an American, I find this truly amazing. I LOVE watching these videos!! Thank you!!

The brick makers that used clay around potatoes may have also added protein to the meal. Pigeons, gutted could have clay smeared over the feathers and then baked. When cracked and removed the clay comes off with the feathers inbedded, no plucking needed. Hedgehogs were cooked the same way. Tramps and travelers would do all their cooking over open fires this way no pots required.

What they said about wool is absolutely true. Ask almost any hiker, wool is the best base layer, better than even synthetics in many ways.

ruth’s energy is so amazing. made me smile

Wow! I want to make my own xmas crackers and do some marbling now. I think if I spent even one day with Ruth, I'd learn SO much. What a cool lady. Also...I'm crushing on Peter

I’m absolutely obsessed with your channel! Truly one of the very best on TRshow! Merry Christmas everyone! 🎄❄️⛄️

Thank you so very much to everyone involved. I am so very thankful to every single person who has been willing to give us a real look at our history. I am a spoiled *ss over and over again.

Can't wait for the next segment. Ruth & Peter are my favorites. Peter is such a hunk!😋

Fantastic for Christmas watching! They had such a good time doing this manual labor, puts stuff in perspective a bit for me. Merry Christmas 🎄

also, they did not discuss the fact that flannel is a loose woven fabric that tighten up greatly during washing which provides its warmth. but this results in quite a bit of shrinkage. in fact, after washing in hot or boiling water, shrinkage can be up to 20 pct. this would have been an important consideration to women that actually knew how to make clothes when cutting a pattern, it would have been cut very, very generously. but the shrinkage means the fabric will thicken and give extra warmpth. just a note. flannel still shrinks and if you use for patterns it beware of the shrinkage. I like to use my nice soft flannel for quilt backings and pillow cases. I still like long staple cottons for sheets tho. It can pucker your hand made quilts which is generally highly desired as giving them an authentic antique look.

I love Ruth's sense of humor!😍😍

Came for the wrapping paper, stayed for the potato brick pasty.

i love watching these types videos...it really makes realize how lucky we are today not needing to work so hard to stay alive.

I would assume they would have really crumpled up the paper (or re-used paper) so it was softer, more flexible, and less crinkly for the blanket.

Greetings from Louisiana, Ruth, Alex, &Peter, I enjoy the documentaries ya'll have done. I absolutely love history.

Oh my gosh, hooray! I love these ruth, alex and peter episodes ❤

one thing I wished they mentioned in the video--if you pause at 52:21, you'll see that the crackers for bachelor's contained much of the same items as the spinster crackers had, so they were equally cruel to both male and female singles!

Love the work and care everyone has done to give me a taste of the past 🎄

2022 and im still watching love these shows

I love Ruth’s daughter enthusiasm when she visits. So relatable for the modern girl.

I just love how you can put any Brit in Period clothing and they immediately look like they popped out of a book. I daresay it's the accent.

This show is FANTASTIC. HER LAUGH IS PRICELESS

The Charlataine quilt was an interesting concept. However, if you shared a room with someone who was a restless sleeper, I can imagine how noisy it could get in the bedroom at night!

When I did my semester abroad I could understand one thing that access to more income than what you needed separated those that saved things and those that struggled to survived--space. If you had the money you could always get space to store things and those that struggled did what they could to get by. Some that struggled did save some things but not as much as those in higher financial classes of people could do. When you have many people sharing a bed verses an individual having a private bedroom to themselves.

"Ahh this takes me back" "was your pa a blacksmith?" "Naw, I use to play with lego's" lol so good

Never saw a more adorably cosy woman cuddled in paper and cotton than Ruth!

Good to see Alex back with the crew again. I was half expecting him to be gone this time around as well

The costumes are always so flawless!

during the depression in the US, quilts were made from feed sacks and worn out clothing and they were often stuffed with paper, rags, newspaper, anything, and old clothes. charlataine quilt for sure!

My mother taught me a bit about fabrics. The fabric Ruth uses for the garments looks awesome. Shimmering, smooth, like made by elves in middleearth. Where can I get it?

I’ve got an old photo of my family at their brick kiln. Now I know what they did. Lovely.

The best part about all of these videos on this channel is in the intro of this series where the ducks waddle through the freshly opened gate.

Incredibly fascinating. Do more. Loved it. Namaste ;)

This is it. This is the most British video on your channel. Oh how I wish we had christmas crackers in the states... For god's sake it's celebrating christmas with a small explosion, Americans love both of those!

How on Earth can this series have so many episodes??? It's like every little subject in every little era

I love this show, thanks so much for the new ones! What a nice surprise! Please stay safe, wherever you hail from 💖 Mindy in Toronto, Canada

I wish I could figure out how to live in a property like this and work like a historical figure for a short time. Or, even a longer time. .... But... I do need a shower at night. I don't want to give up that luxury. 😅

You forgot to turn a brick every fourth brick up on each side with its butt end out so the chimney sweep would have something to balance his feet on safely as he climbed up and clean the chimney.

I love these shows: from making a medieval castle to Abby farm house I am enjoying these now. Although I do wish Ruth would have shorter fingernails, I shiver every time she has black earth or other kind of dirt behind them XD

Love watching these..and such fantastic attitudes all..... WONDERFUL

Okay, just have to say it... Dr. Langland is so damn handsome 😍 and he looks amazing in all his outfits 😍❤

Was your father a blacksmith? Nah I used to play with Lego's 😂😂❤️

The crackers for spinsters 🤣 feels like the type of horrid thing I would be suckered into buying

I remember a red cross documentary about homeless people who would collect journal paper and use it in their bedding for it's insulating qualities. So that charlatine blanket makes sense

This tiny donkey is so precious !!

Geez youz guys are good, thoughrally enjoyable and great history. Something occured to me as i watched. They called it constant work, but so much of it was social, like sewing at night. Sewing and chatting is social and television in silence is not, and certainly not constructive, just mere entertainment. But i find your programme constructive, informative, getting me thinking about that society compared to ours. As a builder i especially enjoyed the brick making part, that was candy, but good for me kinda' candy.

Looks like the chimney must have been blocked below the level they were using (the bedroom). Would help stop cold drafts.

*Chartaline blankets, not charlatine! People don't realize how warm paper can be.. that's why you see the homeless use it. Cardboard in layers can also be wonderful to sleep on; I know from experience, lol! Great video, though. I really enjoyed it, as it's a few days before Christmas.

I hope they will relaunch this series

49:30 Christmas crackers are FINALLY explained. I actually have these very same snaps for crackers we made as a family. Please change this title to reflect the content.

Here in the states the Yuleog is not cake decorated like a tree branch with mushrooms. I never thought of where it came from peace ✌️ 🌲🍰

all of you work so hard. great job. left families and life to make this series. tyvm ... Hi Peter

13:12-13:17 Well now i really know that's Ruth's daughter. Same sharp tongue, wit, and sense of humor as her; Think i've looped this bit 10 times now lol.

Oh I love this program. Starting to grow quite fond of you Ruth.It's your determination and your spunky funny crazy humor. That seems to make any chores Just Um Plain Fun WoW!*?*!?Happy Holidays To All of You Animals**

Thats quite a Yule log, wow!

Impatiently Waiting on the 3 part like a kid on Christmas eve!!!

Everyone is lovely, especially Ruth!!

wow! this is all so beautiful.

They're breaking everythingfg!! Im laughing and crying at the same time 🤣🤣🤣😭

Lol I bet these guys hadn't had much if any trouble with Victorian lifestyles even as actors like the celebrities had during their time as 24 hour modern Victorians. The lady with the manure pile is handling it very well, she must have had experience actually working unlike the celebrities who couldn't even cut 4 pounds of clay, should have seen one of the celebrities having had trouble cutting meat among other things.

Dusty is definitely well fed because he looks rolly polly and quite content. 💖😍

I'm wondering how expensive the paper is, however I suspect the wool would have felted by the time the paper deteriorated.

Am I the only one who loves that Ruth says "Oh my giddy-od"?

​Try these? 42:06 = start of marbleized paper 43:39 = start of sweets (lozenges) 49:54 = beginning of snappers

42:55 bet Alex was always trending on Victorian youtube. do resin painting next!

I was born during the wrong period. I could live like this. No need to worry about missing out because if it's up to the climate alarmists, we'll all be back there soon enough.

If we all had to start over again tomorrow we would need to know these things

I love Peter in all of these shows, he’s so authentic!!! Alex isn’t in all of them, he’s kind of a little bitch sometimes leaving the brunt work to poor Peter…But for anyone interested, theirs this one: Edwardian Farming, Tales of the Green Valley, Tudor Farming, & Secrets of the Castle…They’re all really good & informative programs!!!

Brits did many amazing things over the years....... somehow making edible food always eluded them to this day. lol.

Peter does most of the work

Love this channel! Love Townsend also!💖💖💖

Legend has it Peter is still washing the soot off of him. He seems to get all the worse jobs.

Ruth- With all the hard work you do, how are you able to still have long well shaped nails?!

i love these videos!!!!

Ruth parts 27:00 32:36 35:06

Ruth is so pleasant.

I just feel bad for the donkey he just looks so sad all the time