What would English history look like from the gutter? The past thousand years of English history are traditionally told from the viewpoint of kings and queens, politicians and pioneers. But what about the rest of the population living in the margins - the paupers, peasants and tramps overlooked by the chroniclers of our past? Commoners may not 'make history' as often as kings, but they are still an important part of our heritage. In this original history, Peter Stubley reveals a pauper's eye view of England from 1066 right up to the 20th century, via the Peasants Revolt, the Black Death, the English Civil War, the Great Fire of London and the Victorian city slums. What would we see if we smeared dirt upon our faces, donned threadbare clothes and battered boots and went among the poor to see how they lived for themselves? Join a host of learned contemporaries as we: Experience the Peasant's Revolt with Geoffrey Chaucer Behold the Great Fire of London with Samuel Pepys Goes on a debauched Georgian night out with James Boswell Walk the darkened streets of Victorian London with Charles Dickens Check into the workhouse with James Greenwood Travel down a Lancashire coal mine with George Orwell It's time to go 'slumming' through history - if you dare...? 8-16 page plate section
