January 14, 2009

Era error

I recently read a book which takes place in Victorian England. The time-periods in England were generally defined by the monarchy in some way: Norman was William the Conquerer who came from Normandy. Tudor represented the Tudor kings (most of whom seem to be named Henry). Elizabethan, of course, was dominated by England's first Elizabeth. There was the Regency in which the country was governed by the king's son as regent.


And the Victorian era previously mentioned during which Victoria was queen. This was followed by the Edwardian era which lasted from 1901 to 1910 when another George took over. But he didn't get an era. And neither did his granddaughter.


This doesn't seem fair to the current queen who is only a little over six years from being the longest-reigning English monarch in history. Her grandpa Edward got an era and he only reigned for nine years. I think the problem is that Elizabethan is already taken. She'll need to come up with a new name for her era. Any ideas?