About the book

“I want to say how much I enjoyed reading the history of Sevenoaks 1790-1914. I thought it made a splendid job of combining rigorous analysis with plenty of evocative local detail, for those of us brought up in the town, and I liked the themes of risk and choice.” Jonathan Barry, Emeritus Professor of History at Exeter University

“This fascinating study of changes in British society through the experience of Sevenoaks in the long nineteenth century brings a breath of fresh air to local history.” Elizabeth Edwards, Archaeologia Cantiana

“[This] enthralling new book by Iain Taylor and David Killingray… illustrated with maps, tables and colour plates… proves an absorbing read.” Geraldine Tucker, Sevenoaks Society Newsletter

“The book is a pleasure to read, with copious illustrations and maps helping those (like the current reviewer) who have never been to Sevenoaks to navigate the area and its history.” Rohan McWilliam, Journal of Victorian Culture

This book offers a fresh perspective on British history in the long nineteenth century through the lens of a study of Sevenoaks and the surrounding area of West Kent. It considers, in particular, how the risks faced by the people of this region, and the choices they made to try to mitigate them, shaped their lives and relationships.

During a period of often dramatic change, the economic, social, political, religious and cultural interests of individuals were subject to different risk factors; the responses they made (and the reasons for those choices) provide valuable insights and enable the writing of highly nuanced local history.

The authors pinpoint the fundamental risk factors affecting the lives of West Kent's inhabitants (especially the poor): the struggle to obtain the four bare necessities of shelter, food, fuel and clothing, without which their survival was threatened.