Thursday, March 13, 2008

The Motorcar

Edwardian Promenade has an engaging post on the early days of the automobile in England.

the kingWhile the wealthy sportsman was the original English motorist, it was not until Edward VII took up motoring (with relish) that the motorcar began to gain precedence over the horse and carriage with the Marlborough House Set. The King owned several automobiles, all which were painted in his own royal claret color, a color soon to be seen puttering up and down country roads, for Edward was a speed fiend. An impatient and excited driver, Edward encouraged his chauffeur to pass everything and everyone on the road, regardless of their speed, size and status. It was quite frequent for a waggon lumbering down a road to Sandringham to be upset due to the careless speed of the King of England. However, he always politely proclaimed oncoming traffic of his imminent arrival by the honk of his four-key hornet horn, which the superintendent of the royal cars, who sat in front, had to play as the king’s car zoomed along. Surprisingly, he refused to allow his wife, Queen Alexandra, to own a motor of her own. It was only after Alexandra borrowed motors from friends, much to the anxiety of the Court, that Edward was eventually persuaded to allow her a car of her own. The original backseat driver, Alexandra was notorious for prodding her driver violently in the back with her parasol, shouting directions and “helpful” orders to the poor, clothing swaddled chauffeur whenever a dog, or child, or anything else crossed their way.
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