Elizabeth's London: Everyday Life in Elizabethan London

by Liza Picard

Book Overview

This picture of the London of Queen Elizabeth (1558-1603) is the result of Liza Picard's curiosity about the practical details of daily life that almost every history book ignores. As seen in her two previous, highly acclaimed books-Restoration London and Dr. Johnson's London-she has immersed herself in contemporary sources of every kind. She begins with the River Thames, the lifeblood of Elizabethan London. The city, on the north bank of the river,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312325665
• ISBN13: 9780312325664
• Release Date: June 2005
• Publisher: Griffin
• Length: 342 Pages
• Weight: 1.12 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.1" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Liza Picard's "Elizabeth's London"

Liza Picard has her finger on the pulse of Elizabethan London. The grime and the glamour are uniquely portrayed in this excellent work. The author knows her stuff, being an English historian specializing in the history of London. This is not her only book on the history of London, but it is the first chronologically. She read law at the London School of Economics and was called to the bar at Gray's Inn. Her research is thorough so that "she may speak with the voice of her times." I recommend this book and the others in the series, if they want historical accuracy as well as insight and humor into a fascinating city and fascinating times.

Fascinating

Liza Picard is obviously passionate about her subject and it shows. This is the best book on Elizabethan history I have read so far. It gives a good view of London. The guilds, the different classes (it doesn't just focus on the nobility), housing, the theatre... In all a great book.

History brought to life

This is a delightful social history of London based on the streets of the time: who lived there and how they lived. Lots to think about, especially for a Renaissance/Tudor re-enactor.

Elizabeth's England

The author certainly gives you a descriptive idea of what life was like during the Elizabethan period. It is well documented, and I am finding it easy and enjoyable reading.

Elizabeth's London

I stumbled on Liza Picard's books quite by chance. After looking at the publishing date in some of the books it is apparent some of them have been around for several years. I am now recommending them to anyone and everyone and I am so glad I stumbled across this one on a bookshop shelf. I have now read them all, but this one was the first. As soon as you start to read the book it becomes apparent that the author is passionate about the subject and wants the reader to enjoy the experience as much as she has in the writing of it. How apt that the author starts the book with the life blood of the great City of London. Meandering like a great artery through the heart of the City. It moves on to the streets, houses and gardens; cooking, housework and shopping; clothes, jewellery and make-up; health and medicine; sex and food; education, etiquette and hobbies; religion, law and crime. Liza Picard was born in 1927. She read law and qualified as a barrister but did not practice. Quite where she gleaned all this information from I am not sure. That it was a labour of love is obvious to anyone who reads her books and I for one am grateful.