Wife being sold at Smithfield Market, London Berkshire scene under Covent Garden piazza

scene under Covent Garden piazza

Newington Butts and Newington Turnpike

Ludgate was demolished in 1760

View of Copenhagen House

looking up the River Thames

Wife being sold at Smithfield Market, London Berkshire scene under Covent Garden piazzaWife being sold at Smithfield Market, London, c1820. A rowdy scene at Smithfield cattle market with the wife for sale tied by a rope around her waist to a rail in the centre. She doesn't seem unduly concerned at the prospect of being sold and stands with her legs apart, hands on one hip. A man brandishing an ale mug dances beside her; the man on the right possibly her husband holds up one hand for attention. At left a chimney sweep empties soot on the