The Victorian era of British history spanned from 1837
through 1901. It is generally accepted
as a period of peace for the empire and is known as Pax Britannica. This era was
highlighted by Gothic Revival architecture, and social restraint per the
example of Queen Victoria. That all
sounds well and good, except that Victoria banned smoking of tobacco on the
royal premises. It is presumed that the
queen allowed for some exemptions for particular celebrations.
Victoria’s exemptions are curios as it means that she was wisely,
though silently, acknowledging the value of celebrating with a cigar. It also acknowledges that she wasn’t ignorant
of the fact that her son, the Prince of Wales, who later became King Edward VII,
was an avid cigar smoker.
The image of
King Edward, presented here, is the most important one of the King’s reign in
the context of cigar history. It depicts
the King at his coronation to the throne in 1901. After the King’s ascension to the throne he
uttered one of the finest quotes in smoking history: “Gentlemen, you may smoke!”
The King had spoken and the royal court was once again
allowed to light up. King Edward lifted
the ban which his mother had instituted.
The Edwardian era had arrived!
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