Bankside: London's Original District of Sin

The story of historic district on the south bank of the Thames and beyond - the original playground of Londoners, complete with inns, bear pits, brothels and theatres. On the south bank of the Thames and demarcated by Blackfriars and Tower Bridges lies the district known as Bankside, the Borough and Southwark. Its origin was in a Roman settlement nestling around the southern end of London Bridge, until the eighteenth century the only bridge across the Thames in London. Being separated only by the Thames from the City of London and outside the City's jurisdiction, it developed as a place for bawdy and disreputable entertainment and leisure - including the Globe theatre made famous by performing William Shakespeare's plays. It was an area also sought out for its 'stews' which were some of London's most notorious brothels where every taste could be catered for. Borough High Street contained proportionately more inns and taverns in its length than anywhere else in Britain - and some of these were immortalised by Chaucer and Dickens. The George alone survives to give some idea of what these ancient hostelries were like. From a time when London was a collection of discrete districts and villages, here is the long history of Bankside, the metropolis's disreputable and licentious yet vibrant, cosmopolitan underbelly.

Table of Contents:
Introduction 1. From Roman to Norman Times 2. London Bridge 3. Other River Crossings 4. The Outlaw Borough: The Shaping of Bankside's Reputation From Conquest to Restoration 5. Markets & Frost Fairs 6. Brothels, Stews & Bear Baiting 7. The Clink & Other Prisons 8. Places of Worship 9. Disasters & Accidents 10. Hospitals & Bankside Buildings 11. Inns & Taverns 12. Literary & Theatrical Bankside 13. Industrial Development 14. The Twentieth Century 15. Re-inventing Bankside Bibliography List of Illustrations Index

About the Author :
David Brandon spent much of his working life in adult education in colleges and universities. He has a passion for history and is a published author. He runs a variety of courses and lectures on topics such as 'Absolute Rotters and Total Cads - Villains in British History'; and 'You Are What You Eat - Food and Eating Habits 1550-2000'. He has also co-written several successful titles with Alan Brooke. He lives in Peterborough. Alan Brooke has taught history in further and higher education for over 30 years. His enthusiasm and interest in history continues through writing, giving public talks, guided tours of London and part-time lecturing. He has written and co-written (with David Brandon) many books, many of which deal with London history.