London: A Social and Cultural History, 1550–1750

by Robert O. Bucholz

Between 1550 and 1750 London became the greatest city in Europe and one of the most vibrant economic and cultural centers in the world. This book is a history of London during this crucial period of its rise to world-wide prominence, during which it dominated the economic, political, social and cultural life of the British Isles as never before nor since. A Social and Cultural History incorporates the best recent work in urban history, accounts by contemporary Londoners and tourists, and fictional works featuring the city in order to to trace London's rise and explore its role as a harbinger of modernity as well as how its citizens coped with those achievements. This book covers the full range of life in London, from the splendid galleries of Whitehall to the damp and sooty alleyways of the East End. Along the way, readers will brave the dangers of plague and fire, witness the spectacles of the Lord Mayor's Pageant and the hangings at Tyburn, and take refreshment in the city's pleasure gardens, coffeehouses, and taverns.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, London, British Literature

438 pages, Hardcover

First published June 30, 2012

About the author

Robert O. Bucholz (D. Phil., University of Oxford, 1988; A.B. Cornell University, 1980) is a professor of history at Loyola University Chicago, where he teaches courses on the history of early modern Great Britain, the city of London and Western Civilization.

Reviews

[Olivia Silenzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most wonderful book written by one of my favorite professors. This book and Professor Bucholz’s class was life changing.

[Marks54 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will be going to England later this summer for the first time since before the pandemic! We will be focusing on London and Canterbury. I’m psyched! To get ready, I am trying to do some homework to read up in advance of the trip. Last week, I finished “A World Ablaze” which is a new political and social history of England in the 17th century, from the arrival of James I following the death of Elizabeth until the Glorious Revolution that removed James II and installed William and Mary on the throne in 1688-1689. In between you have war, revolution, regicide, commonwealth, restoration, and finally another revolution — a very busy century!

This book is a “social and cultural” history of London from 1550-1750.- it adds 50 years to the front and back of the 17th century. What difference did that make? Well if you read your Samuel Pepys, you get the impression of it being a very different and smaller city. Current neighborhoods of London today were suburbs back in the day. There was also a big fire, multiple disease outbreaks, and lots of new building. They also rebuilt the embankments of the river, completely changing the look of the city on both sides of the river. … and this just scratches the surface.

The book is well written and easy to follow. It is also filled with pictures and maps to show what London looked like back then. This should be a good prep for my trip.

I strongly recommend the book.

[Janice Liedl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is great urban history - heavy on elements that will entertain as well as educate. The book opens and closes with a conceit of a guided tour of London first in 1550 and again in 1750. You can get a real feel for the city's culture, geography, communities and changes. The authors cram a lot of useful information into the volume - you will learn about the city's role in royal and parliamentary politics, the religious and social groups that helped to build the physical and emotional connections of the growing metropolis and so much more.

The illustrations are well-chosen, clearly introduced and help to flesh out the city's developments. The chapters that look at the seventeenth century crises - the Plague and the Great Fire - as well as how the city rebuilt and reshaped itself in the aftermath, really tie the history in together so that you can understand how eighteenth century London was a distinctive urban culture.

Well-researched with plenty of notes but nothing that overwhelms the historical analysis, this is a book that a non-academic would enjoy as much as a scholar of history.

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can't wait for this to arrive from Amazon and not just because one of the co-authors is a grad school compatriot and fellow summer Guildhall Library researcher-in-arms. London has needed a more serious, millennium-spanning historical study than Peter Ackroyd's fine "biography."

[Koji Mukai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Next time I'm in London, I will have a better appreciation of the touristy and not-so-touristy sights of London.