Video - Victorian Absurdities: The Bizarre 'Rule of Thumb' & Novel Fears

Did you know that in 1838, the British Parliament passed a law that allowed women to be legally beaten by their husbands, as long as the stick used was no thicker than a man's thumb? This bizarre law, often referred to as the "rule of thumb," was part of the grim reality women faced in Victorian England. In addition to this, during the same period, doctors recommended that women should avoid reading novels, as it was believed that too much reading could lead to hysteria. Imagine a world where reading a book could be considered dangerous! And speaking of danger, stay tuned for more crazy historical facts that will leave you questioning the sanity of our ancestors. What other weird laws do you think existed back then? Let me know in the comments!