Pepys's London: Everyday Life in London 1650-1703

by Stephen Porter

Everyday life in the teeming metropolis during Pepys's time in the city (c.1650-1703). Samuel Pepys's London was a turbulent, boisterous city, enduring the strains caused by foreign wars, the Great Plague and the Great Fire, yet growing and prospering. The Restoration in 1660 brought the reopening of the theatres, with women appearing on the stage for the first time, and the period saw the development of English opera and the first public concerts. Pepys lived through a time of change in a city of contrasts, which maintained a sophisticated cultural scene, yet was a focus for political turmoil that spilled over into violence. Against this changing and sometimes troubled background Londoners strived to make a living and to enjoy the benefits of their efforts, as consumers of an increasing range of food and drink, luxuries and entertainments. The London of Wren, Dryden and Purcell was also the city of Nell Gwyn, an orange seller in the theatre who became an actress and the king's mistress; of 'Colonel' Thomas Blood, who attempted to steal the crown jewels from the Tower and yet escaped punishment; and of Titus Oates, whose invention of a Popish Plot provoked a major political crisis. London was the country's political, economic, social and intellectual capital, described by a visitor from Tuscany as 'the metropolis of the whole island'.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, London, 17th Century, British Literature

256 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2011

Reviews

[Dean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not really one for the casual reader, this is nonetheless a fascinating look at a fascinating time in London’s history. Stephen Porter expertly weaves his themes and observations with those of the many diarists, both English and foreign, of the time, notably the great man himself, Samuel Pepys.
The themed chapters are all very interesting, but very dense with facts and figures, so concentration is the name of the game.
As a fan of London history I enjoyed this a lot, and recommend it to fellow fans.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exactly what I wanted! The antidote for an appetite previously whetted by Pepys; a satiating variety of sources contemporary with the ubiquitous man himself, to flesh out the city in time and space. A seamless canter through satisfyingly well organised themes, lavishly counterpointed by a fine collection of images.

[Karen Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, sharp and interesting, if sometimes a little dryer than the title might suggest, Porter's brief history of London as it was immediately after the execution of Charles I, throughout the Interregnum and Oliver Cromwell's reign, the leadership (!) of Richard Cromwell to the restoration of Charles II, James II's time on the throne, the Glorious Revolution and the beginnings of the reign of William and Mary, is packed full of facts and observations.
Though the title suggests this is London as Samuel Pepys experienced and wrote about it, it's more than that. It's also a London on the brink of religious and political upheavals as suspicion and faith caused many tensions and riots. It's a city enduring and moving with swiftly changing economic circumstances and robust and exciting scientific discoveries, as well as a place that was culturally enterprising and rich, as theatre, music, writing and art underwent another Renaissance.
Using Pepy's life as a yardstick by which to measure the altering moods and landscape of the city, Porter offers a keen insight into the various people and events that helped to fashion London into what it is today. Whether it was intolerance for immigrants, appreciation and exploitation of other cultures, growing literacy, expanding borders as the Empire grew, trade, war, frosts, plague or fire, what is clear is that London was rarely if ever dull - whether you were gentry or from the lower classes.
The just over half a century covered really does encompass an amazing array of transformations - and not just in terms of leaders and governing styles. Porter is such a good historian, my only beef with the book is that it is so dry at times and when you use the name Pepys in the title, I think it's dryer than it has a right to be! Nonetheless, I thoroughly enjoyed this great overview. The illustrations are also terrific and really well explained.

[Daniel Kukwa · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's full of solid, historical scholarship...but the presentation is frustrating for a number of reasons. First of all, the book can't decide if it wants to proceed thematically or chronologically; the resulting halfway house lacks focus, and feels occasionally repetitive. The level of detail on certain topics is equally inconsistent. Finally, the font size was obviously chosen by an editor possessing Superman's microscopic vision...a blessing most of us have not been granted. The end result is a book that is definitely informative, but not as entertaining and enjoyable as other snapshot "this is how they lived" historical guides published in recent years.

[Lauren Albert · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the best of the three "so-and-so's London" books I read. This is understandable since there is so much more material to work with the later you get--in this book especially because of Pepys' prolific journal writing.

[Lynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting book. London was a flourishing city in the mid to late 1600s, both before and after the Great Fire in 1666, and author Porter brings the city to life with period illustrations and quotes. He discusses the politics of London vs the rest of England; the English Civil War and Protectorate, the Restoration, and the Glorious Revolution, without slowing his narrative. He does a good job at not bogging down in the political ins and outs of the era, of which there were many, but does clarify and explain the various parties and positions well.

Porter quotes a lot of period sources, not just Samuel Pepys. He also quotes from government edicts and proclamations, other personal diaries, broadsheets and songs. He incorporates them very nicely into his narrative, and they illustrate his chapters well.

What he does not do, is talk about actual everyday life. If you are looking for a narrative of how the average printer or cobbler or dressmaker spent their day, you'll need a different book. Some of his chapters talk about daily routines in statistical terms, like what percentage of the adult male population went to coffeehouses every day. He talks about the rise of coffee houses and tea shops as a social phenomenon of the time. He does not discuss the life of the working man, and women are almost completely absent from the book except as a statistic here and there, and the mention of the first appearance of women actresses on the stage. Pepys' wife is mentioned as accompanying her husband here and there, with passing reference to other wives also with their husbands, but that's it, other than queens and princesses.

This is a good capsule history of London during a fascinating era, but it's not an actual look at how people lived day to day. I do think it is still worth reading, with that caveat in mind.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hoping for less politics and more "everyday life" details, but it was still a good overview of the time period.

[Leanne Albillar · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit dry in some sections, but very thorough coverage of daily life! This was a great follow up read to the author’s book on Shakespeare’s London

[ei_tc Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ye olde London Town is one of my favourite subjects - but this was a bit flat in places.

[Claire Baxter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Gives an overview of the life and times of ordinary people during some of the most famous/infamous events in London's history such as the plague, Great Fire and Glorious Revolution. Simple to read and with interesting illustrations.

[Trish Blue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting account of daily life in Pepy's London, very informative and interesting. However, the chapters' composition was a little bit jumbled and not necessarily well coordinated, but still, it makes for a good read for anyone interested in the social history of London and its people.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent survey of London at a very dynamic era...a city devastated by plague & fire...rising from the ashes of 1666...to global significance & ever-expanding influence...in Europe!!