Drink, Highway Robbery, and Escape from the Debtors’ Prison – Insolvent Lives: Burton Brace (1713-36)

Posted on by Alexander Wakelam

In this edition of my occasional series producing biographies of debtors to explore what led them into debtors’ prison we’re examining the short life of Burton Brace, a drawer (a tavern wine waiter) who drank more than he served. While the majority trod a path to the debtors’ prison beset with bad luck, business errors, … Continue reading Drink, Highway Robbery, and Escape from the Debtors’ Prison – Insolvent Lives: Burton Brace (1713-36)

Renting in Eighteenth-Century London

Posted on by Alexander Wakelam

Few issues face the modern Londoner with more regularity than the trials, tribulations, and pitfalls of the renting market. The majority of the city’s population lease their accommodation, pay nearly twice the rate of those outside the capital, and spend an average of a third to half of their income on rent. For a proportion … Continue reading Renting in Eighteenth-Century London

Renting in Eighteenth-Century London (Appendix)

Posted on by Alexander Wakelam

This data, all taken from the Old Bailey Online database, is a breakdown of stated rents in London from 1740 to 1800. While it does not constitute a complete recreation of the housing market at that time it does give an indication of what types of property people were renting and how much they paid … Continue reading Renting in Eighteenth-Century London (Appendix)