Georgian London
With the accession of George I (1714-27), the first of the Hanoverian dynasty, London's expansion continued unabated. The shops of the newly developed West End stocked the most fashionable goods in the country, the volume of trade more than tripled, and London's growing population - it was by now the world's largest city, with a population approaching one million - created a huge market, as well as fuelling a building boom. Wealthy though London was, it was also experiencing the worst mortality rates since records began. Disease was rife, but the real killer was gin . It's difficult to exaggerate the effects of the gin-drinking orgy which took place among the poor between 1720 and 1751. At its height, gin consumption was averaging two pints a week, and the burial rate exceeded the baptism rate by more than two to one. Eventually, in the face of huge vested interests, the government passed an act that restricted gin retailing and halted the epidemic. Policing the metropolis was also an increasing preoccupation for the government, who introduced capital punishment for the most minor misdemeanours. Nevertheless, crime continued unabated throughout the eighteenth century, the prison population swelled, transportations to the colonies began, and 1200 Londoners were hanged at Tyburn's gallows. Rioting became an ever-more popular form of protest among the poorer classes in London, the most serious insurrection being the Gordon Riots of 1780, when up to 50,000 Londoners went on a five-day rampage through the city.
massage therapy London thai medicine salonMassage London UK Thai Medicine Therapy Salon Bowen Centre Lymph Studio says "massage therapy London UK Salon +44 7957 473617
www. massagelondon.org"
Your Tip for London
Help other backpackers! Write your own guides and backpacking tips to London - they will appear instantly on this page - Please only write a tip/guide to London - visit the main London forum to ask a question!
Please do not post links to your site here (they won't work) - please use the London webguide section below! Thanks.
| 
