SHAKESPEARES LONDON: EVERYDAY LIFE IN LONDON 1580 -1616

A fascinating insight into everyday life in the teeming metropolis during William Shakespeare's time in the city. From contemporary letters, journals and diaries, a vivid picture emerges of this fascinating city, with its many opportunities and also its persistent problems. It had a vigorous economy, with a range of industries and a lucrative trade in luxury goods for the courtiers and wealthy citizens but growth produced overcrowding and high mortality, with shockingly high death tolls during the periodic plague epidemics. However London attracted an endless stream of people, who were absorbed into its diverse communities and economic structures and here the first playhouses were built, patronised by large audiences, who were treated to a rich and varied diet of plays to keep them, and the court, entertained.