The Old Showmen and the Old London Fairs

"The Old Showmen and the Old London Fairs" by Thomas Frost is a journey into London’s past, where vibrant annual fairs shaped the city's heart. The book captures the essence of historic events like Bartholomew Fair and the showmen that made them special, such as Gyngell and Wombwell, it documents the charters that brought these fairs to life and the traditions that started them, highlighting their roles as both marketplaces and centers of amusement. It explores the rise and fall of London's fairs and their performers, blending historical facts with stories to preserve the memories of these past spectacles. Frost's account brings to life an era of popular entertainment.