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Death and alcohol on Victorian canals

Death and alcohol on Victorian canals

Susan Law reveals how the canals of Britain were once a focal point of Victorian alcohol-infused disorder

Published: March 18, 2024 at 7:01 AM

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Today, Britain’s canals are ideal places to enjoy a leisurely cruise – but in the 19th century, they had a vastly different reputation. In this Long Read, written by Susan Law, we reveal how these waterways once served as the settings for brutal acts of alcohol-fuelled violence.

HistoryExtra Long Reads brings you the best articles from BBC History Magazine, direct to your ears. Today’s feature originally appeared in the February 2024 issue, and has been voiced in partnership with the RNIB.