This February I gave a talk to Year 5 at Finton House School, Wandsworth on the Street Folk featured in Mayhew’s London Labour & the London Poor. This was the second year the talk has taken place. We looked at the hot potatoe seller, the mudlarks, the street herbalist, the bird seller, the dog seller, the pieman with the custom of tossing the pieman (heads he won, tales the customer got their pie for free) and a few more.
What a great, smart and friendly audience they were. Here’s the wonderful letters of thanks they kindly sent. Some clear favourites emerge. This year the mudlarks topped the poll, the baked potatoes man came second, followed by the wallflower girl then Dr. Bokanky, the street herbalist. Great to see a new generation meet Mayhew and the heroic London Street Folk.
Year 5 & the Street Folk
Finton House Year 5 & the Street Folk (2024)
