Barb Drummond – författare

In 1733 Mr Henry Bridges announced his Microcosm or Little World was on display in Waltham Abbey then toured Britain and the American colonies. It was a giant four tiered machine which demonstrated his world at the time, with the finest art, technology, architecture, music and astronomy. 

Henry’s story shows the links between religion, magic, science and cabinets of curiosities. It takes us into the worlds of travelling shows, quacks, medicine, engineering, science and freemasonry and the Longitude Prize.

When Mr Bridges built his machine, Britain was a backward archipelago on the edge of Europe; by the time it vanished she was building the world’s largest empire, almost by accident. This story bridges those two worlds, shows how this was achieved via social skills, education and entertainment. It is about how knowledge and skills were learned and freely shared.

Henry claimed his machine showed the difference between the old and the new worlds. His world likewise provides us an insight into the world we have lost and which provides important lessons for our modern world.

In the late 18th century, the French claimed an Englishman tired of his wife could dispose of her at Smithfield’s beast market. Examples can be found scattered through press records. Some were, as often claimed, brutal, sometimes drunken affairs. But they varied widely over time, place, and practice. England was the only Protestant nation to retain its pre-reformation marriage and divorce laws. Marriage continued to be easily entered into, but was virtually impossible to escape. Sales took many forms to ensure they were legal, and rituals were often incorporated. 

This book is about the nature of marriage itself, of what it meant to our ancestors, of how the public responded to disputes, and about the rights of women and children. Women had few legal rights, but that did not mean they were always passive. They featured in many riots, especially over food, as the poet Robert Southey claimed they were less likely to be prosecuted. 

Some sales were initiated by women, who were often nameless, but appear as intelligent, opinionated and who knew their rights. There were many men and women who believed there was an alternative to a life of misery, to be ended by death. 

This book is both an introduction to the history of the city and a guide to exploring its many historic sites.

Much of the history described is unusual and all is clearly explained.

Each chapter covers a specific theme, with instructions and maps.

Each walk can be done as a single walk, but many can be done in series to extend the range.

Instructions are provided on access and transport.

The walks are dictated by what can be seen and their importance.

Two chapters cover Castle Park in the city centre, then 3,4 in the old city. 5 follows the harbour, 6 religious sites, 8 Georgian & victorian suburbs, 9 & 10 heads to the south, then 11 & 12 cover Hotwells, ending with short stroll in Clifton.

The walks are of varied length and difficulty, with distances and accessibility information provided.

Each can be done in isolation, and suggestions are provided as to how to run several together.

They are ideal for people of all ages, and details are provided on accessibility. They can be done by individuals or on groups. The author tested several on the local Ramblers group.