Monthly Archives: August 2016

The ‘Music Scene’ in Georgian Norwich

At the start of the 18th century, Norwich was the largest British city after London, and it remained a major civic, cultural and manufacturing centre throughout the 1700s. Perhaps because it had achieved the trappings of a major urban centre … Continue reading

Posted in Leisure | Comments Off on The ‘Music Scene’ in Georgian Norwich

Privateers off England’s East Coast

Privateers and pirates were a constant scourge to the many hundreds of ships which sailed along the east coast of England, many of them heading to or from the Norfolk ports. If you aren’t quite sure of the difference between … Continue reading

Posted in Military | 1 Comment

The Georgian View of Democracy

One of the greatest differences between political life in Georgian times and today was who was allowed to have a vote, both nationally and locally. In most modern, Western societies the most basic assumption is the primacy of democracy in … Continue reading

Posted in Politics | 1 Comment

The Uses—and Drawbacks—of ‘Dibbling’ Grain

      In most of the 18th century, before the introduction of the mechanical seed-drill, there were only two ways of sowing crops. Wheat and barley, turnips and beans were either broadcast (scattered on the land) or ‘dibbled’ into … Continue reading

Posted in Agriculture | 1 Comment

An 18th-century Clergyman Loses his Maidenhead

  I cannot resist quoting this letter in full so that you can make up your own minds how much is genuine excitement at the prospect of a night of sex (at last?) and how much is pure exaggeration and a … Continue reading

Posted in Georgian Society | 1 Comment