Monday, March 30, 2020

The wet markets of 1800s London

The Lattings, my mother's line, originated in Belgium in the 1400s, arriving in Britain as merchants in the 1500s. The branch of the family located in London were associated with the medieval church, St. Dionis Backchurch. It was located at the intersection of Fenchurch Street and Lime Street as indicated in this map of Lime Street Ward from probably late 1700s or early 1800s. At the center bottom.

Click to enlarge.

All well and good and ancient history.

However, if you look more closely, you something immediately topical. Zooming in on the southern area around the church.

Click to enlarge.

There you go - Fish Market and Flesh Market, just the north of the Church (along with the Herbe Market). Wet markets in London circa 1800. Not a surprise to see them there. They are well recorded and reasonably prominent in various history texts. Just striking to come across them at this very point when the risks and dangers of wet markets are more top of mind than they normally are.

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