Research- Blood Brothers

 The history of liverpool

In its early days, Liverpool consisted of just seven streets which are all still there today. These original streets are Bank Street (now Water street), Castle Street, Chapel Street, Dale Street, Juggler Street (now High Street), Moore Street (now Tithebarn Street) and Whiteacre Street (now Old Hall Street). Liverpool would remain a relatively small and unimportant city until its rise to prominence in the 18th century as part of the transatlantic trade.

Liverpool played a large role in the transatlantic slave trade which has been remebered and recorded throughout the International Slavery Museum, found today at the Royal Albert Dock. Liverpool was a major slaving port and its ships and merchants dominated the transatlantic slave trade in the second half of the 18th century. Liverpool got a lot of wealth from the trade which laid foundations for the port’s future growth.In 1715 the first commercial wet dock was completed in Liverpool on the River Mersey. Originally known as Thomas Steer’s Dock, the dock had Space for up to 100 ships and was originally a tidal basin accessed directly from the river, and by 1737, from Canning Dock.

1846marks the completion of the architectural triumph, The Albert Dock which changed the way the docks worked in the city. Its waters stretched the size of three football pitches with 40% of global trade passing through Liverpool’s docks by the beginning of the 19th century. After just 175 years, the Dock was given its Royal status in recognition of its role in the city. It’s now known as The Royal Albert Dock. Over the years Liverpool became wealthy and a number of major buildings were constructed to reflect this. In 1940, Liverpool suffered during WW2 as a result of the Blitz, with 80 air raids ruining homes and killing over 2,700 people. After the war, Liverpool struggled due to a decline in manufacturing at the Docks. During those times, music became an escape for the people of Liverpool. In 1960, Liverpool became home to one of the city’s most famous exports, The Beatles. The city became the centre of ‘The Mersey Beat’, because of  The Cavern Club that opened in 1957. In 2004 the Paradise Street Project began which involved a £920 million investment that led to the opening of Liverpool ONE in 2008.Liverpool was awarded European Capital of Culture in 2008 and, spearheaded by the Paradise Project, has incurred incredible and unprecedented growth. Since then, Liverpool’s been filled with unique and independent businesses and The Baltic Triangle area of the city is a hub of activity, creativity and independent businesses. In December 2015, Liverpool was honoured with a ‘City of Music’ UNESCO due to the incredible music offering it has as a city.  

Source- https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Liverpool

1960’s housewife

In the 50s, 60s and 70s a woman would clean her own house, all the time.  She would hang her washing on the line to sun-dry and ironing was a crucial household task. A woman would sew clothes and bake cakes at home, before the commoditised products of today arrived.  A woman would groom herself primarily for her husband. And in the bedroom the woman was there to serve, because that was their role in marriage.  Sexual equality was not a reality until the 70s. 

I found this list of rules that was made for women to help them have a ‘happy marriage’. This whole thing just shows how women weren’t seen as actual people, they were objects with a purpose to serve men. 

1. Have dinner ready: Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal — on time. Most men are hungry when they come home and the prospects of a good meal are part of the warm welcome needed.

2. Prepare yourself: Take 15 minutes to rest so you will be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your makeup, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh looking. His boring day may need a lift.

3. Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives. Run a dust cloth over the tables.

4. Make him comfortable: Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or suggest he lie down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him. Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soft, soothing and pleasant voice.

5. Listen to him: you may have a dozen things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first.

Mrs Lyons accent

The RP accent that Mrs Lyons has is a symbol of power and wealth. Since the queen and the rest of the royal family have the accent, many people believe that to be upper class you must also share the accent. Obviously, the queens is a lot more proper than everyone else’s but even hers has changed a bit over the years. Although it’s the accent most people think of when they hear someone has an English accent, and it’s the most popular English accent used in American films, still only 2/3% of people have a proper RP accent. Some people who have the accent are the royal family, Boris Johnstone, Emma Watson, Kiera Knightley, Emily Blunt, Simon Cowell etc. Mrs Lyons was written by Willy Russell to represent the middle/higher class and that’s why she was given the typical posh accent.