London Labour and the London Poor

A working-class political movement that emerged in the United Kingdom during the mid-19th century, specifically between the 1830s and 1840s, chartism aimed to address the political and economic grievances of the working class by advocating for a series of reforms to increase political representation and improve the living conditions of the laboring population.

The movement derived its name from the “People’s Charter” of 1838, which demanded universal suffrage for all adult males, equal-sized electoral districts, abolition of the property qualification for Members of Parliament (MPs), payment for MPs, annual elections for the House of Commons, and a secret ballot to protect voters from intimidation.

A term used to describe a street vendor or seller who peddles and sells fruits, vegetables, or other goods from a cart, stall, or temporary street setup, the term costermonger has historical roots. It was commonly used to refer to individuals who sold their goods in open-air markets or on the streets in urban areas.

Historically, a fallen woman is one who engages in sexual activity outside the bounds of marriage or societal norms. This concept was particularly prevalent in the Victorian era, which strongly emphasized traditional moral values and a strict division between acceptable and unacceptable behavior for women. Fallen women were considered to have lost their virtue because of engaging in premarital or extramarital sexual relationships. The label carried a significant social stigma, and communities often ostracized these women and left them without support for reintegrating into society.

An economic practice involving buying goods, typically agricultural products, before they reach the open market, forestalling enables people to manipulate prices. A forestaller attempts to control the supply of goods and artificially inflate their prices. Historically, forestalling was considered a form of market manipulation and was regulated or prohibited by laws. It was seen as detrimental to consumers and legitimate traders because it disrupted the market’s natural supply-and-demand dynamics.

Also known as Bonfire Night, Guy Fawkes Day is a British commemorative event observed annually on November 5th. It marks the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605, led by Catholic conspirators including Guy Fawkes, who attempted to assassinate King James I of England by blowing up the Houses of Parliament in London. After the plot’s failure, November 5th was declared a day of thanks for the king’s survival, and the tradition of lighting bonfires to celebrate the thwarting of the plot began. Over time, the event evolved into a festive occasion with bonfires, fireworks displays, and the burning of effigies of Guy Fawkes atop bonfires.

A con artist or swindler who manipulates and deceives people for financial gain, the term magsman derives from the slang “mags” or “magsmen,” which was used in 19th-century England to describe individuals who engaged in various forms of confidence tricks or scams. Magsmen used charm, deception, and psychological tactics to exploit their victims’ vulnerabilities. Common scams included fraudulent gambling games, rigged competitions, and schemes selling fake or low-quality goods.

Begging for alms or assistance, often due to extreme poverty or destitution, is mendicancy. As a means of survival, mendicants rely on begging, seeking aid from others in the form of money, food, or other essentials.

Individuals who scavenged along the muddy banks of rivers, especially the Thames in London, during the 18th and 19th centuries, were known as mud larks. They collected items that washed up or were discarded, including valuables like coal and metal scraps. Mudlarking was a means of survival for impoverished individuals who could sell their collected items. As sanitation improved, the practice of mudlarking declined.

Street vendors or sellers who used persuasive and often entertaining speech, known as “patter,” to attract attention and sell their goods or services to passersby, were known as patterers. This practice was common in urban areas, particularly during the 19th and early 20th centuries. They employed rhymes, witty phrases, and stories to draw people’s attention. The term “patter” originated from the word “patter-song,” a type of fast-paced song used in comedic operas and musical theater to convey humorous or nonsensical lyrics.

Performances called Punch shows centered on the popular puppet character Mr. Punch, a mischievous and morally dubious character who engaged in humorous and sometimes violent interactions with other characters. These included his wife, Judy as well as a crocodile, a policeman, and others. These shows were performed by puppeteers manipulating the puppets behind a small booth or stage. The puppeteer’s voice and actions brought the characters to life, while the booth hid the puppeteer from view. The show’s humor often relied on exaggerated movements, comedic violence, and absurd situations.

Charitable institutions known as ragged schools were established during the 19th century in the United Kingdom to provide education and support to underprivileged children. These schools aimed to address the dire living conditions and lack of educational opportunities for children of low-income families during the Industrial Revolution. “Ragged” referred to the tattered clothing many of these children wore because of their circumstances. Ragged schools were founded by social reformers who believed that education was a means to break the poverty cycle and offer children a better future.