The London Mob: Violence and Disorder in Eighteenth-century London [Hardcover]

This is a great book. By combining a wonderful and detailed knowledge of eighteenth-century London with a clear question about the nature of violence, Shoemaker turns the best kind of social science, in to a great read. According to the London Mob, violence of all kinds (duels, murders, fist fights and riots) declined dramatically in London over the course of the eighteenth century. By avoiding any pat answers as to why this might have been the case, Shoemaker explains this change by reference to a series of subtle transitions in the culture of masculinity and politeness, in the technical developments of public spaces and of fire arms.

As much as this book contains a convincing argument, it is also written in a compelling style that draws the reader along, while introducing them to a colourful cast of charaters - both the viciously criminal, and the pompously legalistic.

December 1743, London.

At 2 or 3 a.m., one William Young, silversmith, was alerted to the fact that his showcase containing some of his work was stolen. Young testified `. . . I jumped out of bed, called the watch . . . upon my calling out, three or four watchmen came, and in about an hour and a quarter a watchman brought my show-glass back again, with about nine or ten pounds worth of goods in it.' (Chapter 2, `Stop Thief !')

This is just one of the first-hand accounts cited by Professor Shoemaker in The London Mob, which charters a wide range of social interaction and rebellion, the attendant changes in law and the evolution of a civic code. The Watch, how it responded (sadly not always as punctually as in Young's case),the private individual as detective, law-breaking and law-making - all aspects are covered in impressive detail, offering a well-rounded picture of public life in Georgian London.

Theft, duels, street life, punishment, riots, violence and the process of law: Professor Shoemaker shows, in clear and accessible language, the various changes in perception and behaviour, the transition from public to private in these various areas - whereby insults in the street declined, outdoor crimes became private homicides, and violence was, if not reduced, then progressively hidden behind closed doors.
He also clearly illustrates how the wish of the individual to appear capable of instruction and improvement necessarily drew away from public acts of violence - it was the time of the Gentleman, who had become `subject to the ideals of politeness, in which men were expected to control their emotions and be generous and complaisant towards those with whom they interacted . . . the ideals of sensibility required men to show even greater sensitivity and sympathy to other people's feelings.' (Chapter 7 `Duels and Boxing Matches')

`The London Mob' is a lively, informative book, offering a vivid picture of life in London across the 18th century. It contains excellent reference material and is well-illustrated with contemporary prints, including works by Gillray, Rowlandson and Hogarth(indeed, few works on 18th century social life would feel complete without Hogarth's Gin Lane).
Whether you are writing fiction or non-fiction requiring a background to Georgian England, whether you are boning up for a social history thesis, or whether you love anything pertaining to the Age of Enlightenment, this is a highly entertaining read.
Thoroughly recommended.

A reverie of achievement. The book highlights the bawdy nature of London life from the restoration until the 1800's.

In between the sreets thronged with hawkers, ladies of the night, the rich in their sedan chairs, drunks, tradespeople and the beggars. These were population that policed the streets and also robbed it. They would band together for military parades, lord mayors shows, the hangings at Tyburn and any excuse for a party.

Fights were common amongst men particularly over honour, when a man was called a scounderel or rogue a duel or fight was the only way to resolve the situation and claim honour. Gambling in the streets and thoroughfares was also common, with dice throwing, cock fights and brawling being the main events. Women opnely caroused and called openly and demonstrated their charms to men. The more refined ladies paraded within the parks showing off their wealth to all and sundry.

Fighting during this era was endemic amongst men starting from an early age. This was the measure of masculinity and the fights recorded by Shoemaker often resulted in death for the loser. This was a land before it was highly regulated by the state. It had no police force, probation, social services or regulation apart from the people themselves.

A code of honour came into being in the middle of the century echoing the research of Nobert Elias. This entailed rich men being able to control their emotions as a marker of difference from the poor and to seek redress within the law. Duelling was their main form of resolving differences and as the code of politeness took hold the duels retreated from being public spectacles to secluded affairs.

Crowd violence was primarily directed at buildings as symbols of power and this resonates with the present where riots were generally disciplined as well as celebratory. Rioting was tolerated within London as a legitimate form of expression due to community support for their actions.

The mob could be mobilised by various pressures to be anti papist, anti scab, pro royal, anti royal and politicians who used them for election purposes.

Shoemaker documents for example the following

Sacheverall Riots
Anti Hanoverian Riots
Gordon Riots
Wilkite Riots

He also looks at gender, race, social class and age as being important determinants but not in a po faced PC typology but including all the people within the power of the crowd. Drawing on the numbers of prosecutions which were remarkably light in numbers give the scale of disorder. Shoemaker provides a breakdown.

Interestingly he notes the sexual nature of crime becoming more commonplace towards the end of the century with a monster piercing and ripping womens clothing. There as a general air of puzzlement why a man would wish to do this and not rob the victim. Naturally a man was arrested on suspicion to provide the fall guy for the crime. Unfortunately for the police this failed to provide the sacrifiial effect as the attacks continued alongside the trial. They had to find him not guilty.

A very good readable enoyable book about one aspect of social life the modern world is quick to condem but unable to comprehend.