The first comprehensive history of Southwark, the independent community of London across the Thames. The fortunes of Southwark have always been linked to those of the city of London across the river. From its founding in Roman times to its peak in the medieval era, the district has always passionately defended its independence. Largely free from the jurisdiction of the city, Southwark continuously became a thorn in the side of London: an administrative anachronism, a commercial competitor, and a haven for unwanted industries and inhabitants.
In this remarkable history of London's freedom beyond the bridge, Margaret Willes recounts the life and times of the people of Southwark, capturing the district's revolutionary spirit. Flooded with a powerful mix of talented immigrants, religious outcasts, theatrical people, brewers, and sex workers, Southwark often escaped urban jurisdiction—giving it an atmosphere of danger, indiscipline, and artistic freedom. Tracing Southwark's history from its Roman founding to its present-day popularity as a place to visit, through Chaucer, Shakespeare, and Dickens, Willes offers a necessary exploration of the city's unrecognized reflection.
Pages: 304, Year of Publication: 0513, Dimensions: 15.2x15.2cm
