London and the Thames

Melvyn Bragg's Travels In Written Britain – Season 1

A journey through London examining the street slang of Shakespeare's day and the language of the foul-mouthed Thames boatmen. Plus, the Victorian view on the squalor of the East End and a look at Britain's seafaring tradition in Gravesend. With contributions from Stephen Fry, Boris Johnson, Tracey Emin and Ken Livingstone