Picard, a lawyer at Gray’s Inn and an amateur historian, is uninterested in writing a revisionist work of that most uncharacteristic era in English history, which takes in the post-Civil War return of the monarchy, the growth of Great Britain’s mercantile empire, and the devastating Great Fire, out of which modern London arose. Please also be assured that if you are overcharged for postage & packing via Esty we'll refund the overage.An entertainingly over-stocked historical digest of life during London’s liveliest decade of the 17th century, 1660-70. If you're outside of the UK and buying more than one item, please contact us for combined shipping options. This is a lovely book but is secondhand so please see the photos to make sure you'll be happy with its condition. Please note that we sell vintage books and as such these are rarely perfect.

The book is in near-fine condition, slipcase is good with just a few marks. There is a useful introduction by the English biographer, historian, critic and publisher, Jenny Uglow and there are wonderful colour and black and white plates throughout. The book is a hardback with a decorated burgundy cloth cover and gold slipcase. Restoration London, Everyday Life in London, 1660-1670, was first published in 1997 and the text of this fabulous 2012 Folio Society edition follows that first edition with only minor emendations. Restoration London offers a fabulously deep immersion into the life of Londoners as the city literally rose, phoenix-like, from the ashes after plague and fire.Ī lawyer by training with a self-confessed passion for ‘primary evidence’, Picard devoted years to examining household accounts, legal records, conduct books, reports from visitors and diplomats, contemporary news sheets, as well as the diaries of John Evelyn and, of course, Pepys to create this fascinating book. Watermen plied their trade along the River Thames between the Palace of Westminster and the City, and in the newly fashionable St James’s Park, Londoners took the air by day and sought other, somewhat illicit, pleasures at night. King Charles II, an infamous lover of women and of good living, was on the throne, and the streets were crowded with velvet-clad noblemen making their way to the reopened theatres. One of the largest and most important cities in Europe, at the time, London seethed with a population of 300,000 - only Paris and Constantinople were larger.

Restoration london by liza picard