What were child chimney sweeps called?
The climbing boys, and sometimes girls, were technically called chimney sweeps’ apprentices, and were apprenticed to a master sweep, who, being an adult, was too large to fit into a chimney or flue. He would be paid by the parish to teach orphans or paupers the craft.
When did children stop working as chimney sweeps?
Efforts were made through the years to put an end to the cruel practice of using child chimney sweeps, but they failed until 1875. The death of 12-year-old chimney sweep George Brewster became the catalyst which finally pushed through legislation that outlawed the cruel practice.
What was it like to be a chimney sweep in Victorian times?
The chimney sweep, or climbing boys as they were often called, was a harsh profession to be in and most likely one that would severely cut your life short. Those employed were often orphans or from impoverished backgrounds, sold into the job by their parents.
Why were children chimney sweeps?
Child chimney sweeps were required to crawl through chimneys which were only about 18 inches wide. Sometimes their cold-hearted masters would light fires to spur the sweeps on to climb more quickly. Only young children could fit through the narrow spaces on the inside of the chimneys.
How old were child chimney sweeps?
These were between the ages of 5 and 10, although most were under the age of seven, and some were even as young as four. These boys were used to climb up chimneys to clean out deposits of soot. The chimney sweep master taught them the trade while being responsible for feeding, clothing and housing them.
What was life like for a child in Victorian times?
| Children from working class families | Children from rich families |
|---|---|
| had few luxuries. ate poor food worked long hours lived in damp, filthy conditions. Many children died of disease. | usually well fed, clean and well clothed. didn’t need to work went on holidays had expensive toys had pets such as ponies. |
How much did Victorian chimney sweeps get paid?
From 1773, master chimney sweeps regularly kept anywhere from 2 to 20 children, depending on how many they could use for their business. For each child, the master sweep was paid 3-4 pounds by the government when the apprenticeship agreement was signed.
How much money did a chimney sweep earn in Victorian times?
What did chimney sweeps wear?
The black attire not only proved to be practical clothing but gave the kids pride in their work. Soon enough, the tradition caught on and top hat and tails became the de facto uniform of the chimney sweeps that has stuck right into the present day as well.
Where are the parents of the child in The Chimney Sweeper gone?
The sweeper tells the speaker two times that his parents have gone to church.
What is a chimney sweeper in the Victorian era?
The Victorian era had features utterly different from any other era. Chimney sweepers were extremely common during this period. Chimney sweeper is a poor man who cleans chimneys to make a living. Generally, sweepers were children, mainly boys and not adults. Why chimneys needed sweeping? Who were Victorian Chimney Sweepers?
When did child chimney sweeps become popular?
The use of child chimney sweeps became widespread after the Great Fire of London, which occurred in September of 1666. When the city was rebuilt, building regulations were changed. Fireplaces had to have narrow chimneys, as a part of an effort to stop a repeat of the devastating London fire.
Who was the last child chimney sweep to die in England?
Wyer was charged and found guilty of manslaughter. George Brewster was the last child chimney sweep in England to die in a chimney.
When did chimney sweeps become legal in the UK?
Ultimately in 1875, the British parliament passed an act which said that all chimney sweeps had to be licensed and licenses were only issued to sweeps not using climbing boys. As time passed, the use of chimneys and chimney sweeps declined.