The Old Showmen and the Old London Fairs

by Thomas Frost

"The Old Showmen and the Old London Fairs" by Thomas Frost is a historical account written in the late 19th century. The book delves into the social history and cultural significance of the fairs that were an integral part of London’s past, exploring the evolution and decline of these events and the showmen who participated in them. It aims to document an era rich in popular amusements, focusing on iconic fairs such as Bartholomew Fair and the colorful figures of the showmen like Gyngell and Wombwell. The opening of the work introduces the important backdrop of annual fairs in England, particularly the charters that authorized their establishment and the ceremonies involved in their opening. It outlines the origins of significant fairs in London, detailing their functions as marketplaces for various goods and as sites for entertainment. Frost emphasizes the intertwined histories of the fairs and showmen, setting the stage for a narrative that promises to preserve the memories of these bygone spectacles and their performers. Through a blend of historical context and anecdotal accounts, he seeks to offer readers a glimpse into a unique aspect of social history, celebrating both the fairs and the entertainers who brought them to life.