1. Majesty Apollo

    Majesty Apollo New Member

    Joined:
    May 4, 2009
    Messages:
    26
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Northern England, UK

    Illegal drugs in the 19th century

    Discussion in 'Research' started by Majesty Apollo, May 6, 2009.

    Whilst cracking on with a short story today I hit a wall in my plot storyline. The story is set in the 19th century and it involves a ship smuggling illegal drugs into England...

    But then it struck me that such drugs mightn't have been discovered by this time, and if they had they mightn't have even been illegal yet!
    Since I have not specified a particular drug on the ship as of yet this is open to anything, but I'm failing badly at the research.

    So, in the best possible way, is anyone interested in illegal drugs? ;)
     
  2. Cogito

    Cogito Former Mod, Retired Supporter Contributor

    Joined:
    May 19, 2007
    Messages:
    36,161
    Likes Received:
    2,827
    Location:
    Massachusetts, USA
    You might want to read up on the Opium Wars
     
  3. Gallowglass

    Gallowglass Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    May 2, 2009
    Messages:
    1,615
    Likes Received:
    92
    Location:
    Loch na Seilg, Alba
    Not many drugs were 'illegal' - Queen Victoria liked a puff of cannabis every now and then. I suppose the only drugs that were in any way taboo would be opium and alcohol, and the latter only amongst the upper classes who claimed to have standards (in particular illegally distilled whisky from Gaelic Scotland - the government put a lot of money into castles and laws to destroy the industry throughout the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, ever since James the Seventh became King of England as well as Scotland in 1603).
     
  4. sirhoot

    sirhoot New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2009
    Messages:
    14
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Hastings, UK
    One James too many.

    James the 7th? It seems you've added an extra James in the lineage. James the 6th of Scotland and 1st of England would match every source I've ever read following Elizabeth 1st's death.
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice