Birth of Robert Baden-Powell
Birth of Robert Baden-Powell
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1857 in Great Britain
Explore 54 historical events and records for Great Britain in 1857.
Historical records for Great Britain in 1857
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 54 unique records.
54Unique records
1 of 2Page
31Named events on this page
21Named people on this page
12Places on this page
February
March
Declaration of War
Declares war on China
Vote of Confidence
Loses a vote of censure by 263 to 247 votes which leads to a dissolution of Parliament
Dissolution of Parliament
Parliament is dissolved after The Queen agrees to Parlmerstons request
May
Birth of Sackville Hamilton Carden
Birth of Sackville Hamilton Carden
Rebellion of Rebels in Meerut
Oubreak of the Indian Mutinty
June
Capture of Delhi
The arrival of more British reinforcements finally leads to the defeat of the mutineers by John Nicholson, Commander of the relief force, after six days of street fighting, Delhi is recaptured
Siege of Delhi
The arrival of more British reinforcements finally leads to the defeat of the mutineers by John Nicholson, Commander of the relief force, after six days of street fighting, Delhi is recaptured
Medal
A new military honour is awarded by Victoria to 62 servicemen in Hyde Park
July
Siege of Lucknow
1st day of the siege, moved many of the local British into the garrison for safety
Siege of Lucknow
Appointed to command the British garrison during the 2nd day of the siege
Siege of Lucknow
Killed during the 2nd day of the siege
Birth of Sidney James Webb
Birth of Sidney James Webb
Marriage
Marries Georgina Alderson
August
Reform of Legal System
The Matrimonial Clauses Bill makes it possible for a divorce in a court of law
September
First Royal Albert Truss Floated
The first great main-span truss is floated into position on barges before being raised above the river.
First Tamar Truss Turned into Alignment
Tugs, naval vessels and hundreds of workers manoeuvre the first main truss through the river into alignment with its piers.
Adjutant
Military secretary and adjutant-general to Sir James Outram, whose forces took part in the actions leading to the first relief of Lucknow
Siege of Lucknow
Fights through enemy lines & enters the Residency
Siege of Lucknow
Takes charge of Lucknows defence until the second relief, when he was badly wounded while crossing an exposed space with Outram and Sir Henry Havelock to meet with Sir Colin Campbell. Military secretary and adjutant-general to Sir James Outram, whose forces took part in the actions leading to the first relief of Lucknow
November
SS Great Eastern
The first attempt to launch SS Great Eastern sideways ends in failure and the death of a worker.
Siege of Lucknow
Fights into the residency & rescues the occupants but leaves the city in rebel hands
Portrait
Robert Howlett photographs Brunel standing before the launching chains of SS Great Eastern.
Siege of Lucknow
Leads a 5,000 reinforcements into the residency at Lucknow
Siege of Lucknow
Slips through enemy lines & guides Campbells forces into the British residency. Goes through enemy lines & guides Campbells reinforcements into the British residency. Becomes the 1st civilian to be awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions at Lucknow
Other events (month unknown)
Bank Charter Suspension
Palmerston's Government permits emergency note issuance during the international financial crisis.
Barchester Towers
Publication of "Barchester Towers"
Bombing of Canton
Forwards a vote of censure in the Government for Bowrings bombardment of Canton
Bristol Retains Extensive Open Frome
Much of the Frome still ran above ground before later Victorian schemes covered its urban reaches. Its consequences survived in the location of streets and waterside infrastructure.
British Museum
Completes the reading room of the British Museum
British Museum Reading Room Opens
Sydney Smirke designed the celebrated domed Reading Room which opened in the museum's central quadrangle in 1857.
Brunel Photographed Beside Great Eastern
Photographer Robert Howlett made the celebrated portrait of Brunel standing near the giant steamship's launching chains.
Declaration of War
Declares war on Emperor Yeh
Declaration of War
The British & Frernch launch a joint military attack against China
Divorce
Establishes Divorce Courts which replace Ecclesiastical Courts
Early Club Rules Development
Prest helped establish Sheffield FC and its early rules, contributing to the organised form of football played in the city.
Election
The Winner of the election with a majority of 85 seats over all other parties combined. "An insolent barbarian wielding authority at Canton had violated the British flag"
Great Eastern First Launch Fails
The first sideways launching attempt failed and the operation caused a fatal accident among the workers.
Great Eastern Hydraulic Launch Equipment Reworked
Engineers adjusted the rams and chains intended to move the heavy ship sideways toward the Thames.
Great Eastern Launching Chains and Rams Prepared
Brunel prepares heavy chains and hydraulic equipment for the difficult sideways launch of the enormous ship.
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.