Sevenoaks 1790–1914 Risk and choice in West Kent

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.

David Killingray is Emeritus Professor of Modern History at Goldsmiths, and Senior Research Fellow at the School of Advanced Study, both University of London. A recent chairman of BALH, he has published many books and articles on aspects of Kent history. Iain Taylor has a PhD from the University of London and is a Trustee of the British Association for Local History (BALH). He has published a number of articles on the history of the Sevenoaks area in the nineteenth century.

1 Introduction: risk and choice 2 Power and authority 3 Ideas, beliefs, and values: parish and vestry 4 Ideas, beliefs, and values: locality, nation, the world 5 ‘ The necessities of life’ : housing and fuel 6 ‘ The necessities of life’ : food and clothing 7 Work 8 Self, family, friends, neighbours, townspeople 9 Health, welfare and environment 10 Financial risk to pension security 11 Knowledge and education 12 Leisure 13 Conclusion