A sad year

Gates, the respected local historian, said that the year 1800 'was perhaps the saddest year Portsmouth had ever experienced'. On 6 January, 'the bakers close their ovens and refuse to bake bread, in order to induce the Magistrates to raise the assize of that article'; in September there was a 'tumultuous meeting of the populace in St George's Square, Portsea, respecting the high price of bread; and many windows broken and other damage done'. Such were the conditions that by 13 December, 'provisions (were) so scarce that servants were allowed only one quartern loaf of bread per week, and nine hundred pounds collected in Portsmouth to purchase Scotch herrings to supply to poor'.
Of course, Gates didn't know what was to come with the Blitz of World War II.

To find out more read A Portrait of Portsea by Joy Harwood