Nineteen Centuries of Drink in England: A History

Spanning from the Roman‑Britannic era to the close of the nineteenth century, this narrative traces how drink has shaped English life. It follows the evolution of ales, wines, cider and spirits, while also examining the cups, tankards and glasses that carried them. Along the way the author weaves in the debates of churchmen, lawmakers and reformers who tried to curb excess, giving listeners a sense of the recurring temperance push‑and‑pull. The opening sections set the stage by linking the simple need for sustenance to the broader currents of fashion, vanity and social ritual.

Beyond the beverages themselves, the work explores the festive banquets, health‑toasting customs and the tax policies that turned drink into a fiscal cornerstone. It offers vivid snapshots of tavern chatter, royal feasts and village gatherings, revealing how drinking habits mirrored shifting attitudes toward wealth, morality and community. Listeners come away with a richer picture of English society, seen through the glass that has long reflected its most honest and its most hidden moments.