London: The Synfulle Citie [Paperback]

E J Burford (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1995

This illustrated history takes a humorous look at the sleazy, riotous life of London's square mile. Original investigations into unpublished documents, broadsheets, letters and ballads reveal the scandalous affairs of old London town.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Robert Hale Ltd (February 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0709055994
• ISBN-13: 978-0709055990
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,520,067 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars comprehensive, May 17, 2010

By 

W. A. Lohaus (Berkeley, CA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: London: The Synfulle Citie (Paperback)

with many a good detail; a fine historical review of the london behind the tea cups and ceremony.

5.0 out of 5 stars No money, no cunny, September 3, 2003

By 

Luc REYNAERT (Beernem, Belgium) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: London: The Synfulle Citie (Paperback)

E. J. Burford's shockingly dirty book takes a candid look at the inhabitants and the 'belly' of London from the time of the Romans till the end of the 18th century.
It is a mind-boggling naturalistic portrait of the very few (the rich and powerful) and the many (those who lacked a penny).
In the latter category we find women with their tragic destiny: jus cunni, incest, rape, illiteracy. They mostly had no other means for survival than prostitution. The brothels were run by ... the clergy and the rich and powerful. William the Conqueror owned three of them.
Other damned classes were the slaves and the poor, whose life was at risk every day. As J. Swift said: the poor had no other choice than to 'steal to be hanged'.

Overall, the living standard, even for the mighty, was truly catastrophic: absolutely no hygiene, immense spread of venereal diseases, violence, murder, barbarous executions and rampant corruption.

The few and the many met each other in the brothels.
'Those who were riche were hangid by the Pursse;
Those who were poore were hangid by the Necke.'

We find here also a confirmation of Matt Ridley's thesis that the Church tried to prevent that married couples had children. The Holy Fathers had nothing against fornication because they ran the brothels. In fact, the Holy Fathers were not first born masculine children. By preventing that the first born got an heir, they had a chance to take his place and properties.

E.J. Burford tells us also who invented the 'cundum'.

This book contains excellent naturalistic and expressive illustrations and texts.

A very original and important book that constitutes a reminder for everybody of us of 'where we all come from'.
A must read.