Book Review - Licensed to Sell by Geoff Brandwood, Andrew Davison, and Michael Slaughter

Licensed to SellLicensed to Sell by Geoff Brandwood, Andrew Davison, and Michael Slaughter

Published by English Heritage ISBN 1 85074 96 X.

Licensed to Sell is a beautifully illustrated publication that should be regarded as essential reading for any self respecting pub enthusiast.

It traces the history of the public house (principally in England) from the early, unregulated alehouses, taverns and inns of the Middle Ages, through licensing, 'gin palaces', the Temperance movement and war time restrictions to the 'Beer Orders', 'all day opening', and the yet-to-be-implemented Licensing Act 2003, which will hand control over licensing back into the hands of local councils.

The first couple of chapters are devoted to the emergence and development of the pub, which uses illustrations from sources such as Hogarth and Cruikshank. Much of the other photographic material is provided by the photographically gifted Mick Slaughter. I now know why it takes him such an age to take a picture, as the quality is second to none.

Later chapters are devoted to design and planning, dispensing the product and pub games. The use of old floor plans obtained from archives around the country make particularly interesting viewing.

The final chapter I found to be refreshing in its approach to various pub myths. The oldest pub story comes in for a severe bashing as deep research dispels most of the regurgitated nonsense that has flown around for years. The license of the Fighting Cocks in St Albans for example, is first mentioned in 1822 and the building itself dates from about 1600 and not the oft quoted Saxon times. The Ferry Boat Inn, Holywell near St Ives also doesn't appear to date to the year 560 either, but is more likely to be 17th century. Another established myth is also deflated in front of the reader's very eyes and that is Dick Turpin and his many stopping off points along the Great North Road, Essex and Nottingham. Nice to read the truth for a change!

A bibliography and glossary are included to finish off which completes the book nicely.

A well-researched and presented work.

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