The second of three documentaries examining Victorian life looks at the status of married women in Victorian England. They had no rights to property, earnings, children or even their own bodies - all belonged to the husband, to use as he pleased. Only one woman was exempt - Queen Victoria. Three women dared to break the rules: Caroline Norton, Harriet Mordaunt and Josephine Butler. Their rebellion struck at the heart of the establishment and resulted in a British Prime Minister being taken to court and the heir to the throne taking the witness stand in two of the most scandalous court cases of the 19th century.
(S) (W)