11/10/2025
Thanks to Victorian Historia's Post
The Fourpenny Coffin was one of the earliest and cheapest forms of homeless shelter provided by the Salvation Army in late Victorian London.
Introduced in the 1890s, it offered destitute individuals a place to sleep indoors, sheltered from the cold and dangers of the streets for the price of four old pence (a little over 1p in today’s currency, though worth more in relative terms at the time).
Despite its grim-sounding name, the "coffin" referred to the wooden box-like bed each person was given. These were simple, narrow, and enclosed, designed to give a small measure of privacy and warmth.
Inside, sleepers were provided with a blanket and a roof over their heads, but little else in terms of comfort. Still, for many, it was a welcome alternative to sleeping on the streets or in dangerous doss-houses.
Along with shelter, visitors were usually offered a basic meal, often soup or bread and tea and in some cases, access to hygiene facilities.
The Salvation Army's approach was both charitable and moralistic; guests were expected to listen to religious instruction or attend short services as part of the offering.
