A London origin story, this book was started when the author began looking for an answer to the question, who owns Park Lane and Mayfair in London? His exploration took him to Mary Davies, born in London in 1665 during the height of the Great Plague, when she inherited land that is today some of the most valuable real estate in the world. She was married at 12 to Sir William Grovesnor, and left a widow with 4 children and a fragile mental state when he died in 1700. The heiress was promptly forced into another marriage. This is the sad story of Mary brought to life by a an investigation that reads like a detective story, involving the poor state of women's rights and the treatment of mental health during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. A court case dealing with Mary's plight led to many changes, including the creation of the London we know today. Oneworld. 2021. Hb, Dj. NEW. $24.00