When writing historical fiction, it pays to do some research on the time and place the story takes place. Any aspect of the society serves as good awareness of its background, even if the information is never necessary to use. Crime and punishment is obviously an area with lots of potential for on-stage conflict as it is in real life. In the years immediately before Scotland Yard was established, many questions arise. A court and prison system had long been in place, but what happened between the discovery of the crime and facing the judge? While the second edition of The Regency Underworld does give readers some interesting insight as to how England dealt with criminals, or not in some cases, it derails with some material that has weak association to the subject matter.

This trade paperback of the 1999 second edition comprises seven chapters, which are supported by a forward, new preface, acknowledgments, epilogue, book list, and index. The text is also liberally illustrated by period black & white art. The aspects of the late Georgian underworld the chapters cover include criminal districts, the decline of the watchmen system, juvenile delinquency, bodysnatching, media interpretations, gambling, and rogues & scandals.

Author Donald A. Low focuses primarily on London, where crime was the most prevalent. He sets up the background for the time and place under analysis, which is appropriate. Although the UK had a few periods when its monarch was unable to rule adequately, the one historians name the Regency usually refers to the instability of George III, who suffered from porphyria, a genetic disease. Having reached the age of 72 when it overtook him for the last time, his privy council and Parliament realized his mental capabilities were lost and it was doubtful whether he would recover again. An act was passed to have his eldest son and successor, George IV, take the responsibilities of the throne. The kingdom went from one of its most beloved kings to one of its most reviled. The specific dates for the circumstances of Regency was 1811–1820, but many loosely consider it from 1788–1830.

Crime reached epidemic proportions in the UK and the attitude of its aristocracy boosted the antagonism between the classes. During the 18th century and the advent of industrialization, the lower classes began to question the concept of Divine Right. They resented being taken advantage of by high society—in more ways than one. After the anarchy of the Gordon Riots in 1780, the mob easily frightened those in comfortable situations. The upper classes were almost adversarial in their attitudes, which did little to calm the climate. George IV, who constantly indulged in whim and luxury, became the symbol for all of them.

The first four chapters of this book briefly describe rookeries (criminal districts), flash-houses (pubs frequented by lawbreakers), and charleys (parish watchmen). Even medical science was dubious at this time. The only legal source for cadavers to dissect at that time was executed criminals, but the demand was bigger than the supply. Resurrectionists were in their heyday. They monitored graveyards for freshly interred bodies and then they would come back late at night and dig them back up to sell to doctors. Doctors benefitting from this service paid well and knew better than to ask questions. The whole UK was terrified when the nation learned a pair of serial murderers, who were responsible for killing 16 people in Edinburgh, did it simply to supply fresh bodies to a local doctor.

Before the advent of Scotland Yard, law enforcement was handled at the local level. The city was divided by parishes, each managing its own police system. This book documents how young some of the perpetrators were, with many actually being trained by their parents or guardians, and being prosecuted no differently when caught. Low cites a few cases, circumstances, and generalizes how the perps operated.

While the first four chapters take a strong look at the underworld, it goes soft on the last three. In 1821, Artists Robert and George Cruikshank with Author Pierce Egan released the book Life in London, which became the media phenomenon of its time and spawned several imitators. These characters bear no resemblance to the Hanna-Barbera cat and mouse team today's audiences immediately think of, but focus on Corinthian Tom and Jerry Hawthorn, along with their Oxonian friend, Bob Logic, who go out to see London in all facets of its society, including Almacks (an exclusive upper class dance hall), rookeries and flash-houses. They also bugger charleys. While this lightly touches on the underworld, the topic of Tom & Jerry is better suited for a historical look at the media trends.

Gambling is an issue that means different things to different people. Low notes that gaming was illegal during the Interregnum, but this law had been repealed during the Restoration and English society came back to it with a vengeance. During the Regency it achieved manic extravagance. It may have been a social problem, but how does this qualify as part of its underworld when it was an open activity without penalty from the law?

Likewise with the last chapter. This one highlights the scandals and poor ethics of those in high society. One of the most notable being that of Mary Anne Clark, who was the Duke of York's mistress. At that time, Frederick, Duke of York, was commander-in-chief of the military. Apparently, when Clarke was strapped for cash, she took bribes to use her influence with the Duke to procure commissions for any nob willing to pay her. (Keep in mind that it was a common practice for the armed forces to sell commissions at that time.) Hearings were held to determine whether Frederick was a part of the scheme with her. No hard evidence was found to implicate him, yet he resigned in disgrace regardless. Although a feeble attempt was made to indict Mary Anne Clarke, she eventually went into self-imposed exile in Boulogne, apparently suffering no other significant consequence. The ethics this woman held were deplorable, but does such a high profile case qualify as underworld?

Low does a good job of setting the scene on this aspect of London society; however, the target audience for this book is obviously a commercial one, so it only goes as deep as necessary keep the attention of someone with a casual interest in the subject. There are no footnotes. A book list is supplied for anyone wishing to pursue the subject further.

All in all, The Regency Underworld is interesting to read, but as a writing resource it serves as more of an introduction to its subject matter and teeters on its topic in places. Anyone wanting more in-depth details on these historical issues should continue looking for more resources.


Recommended: Yes