Chimney sweeping is an ancient trade dating from the twelfth century.

This social history, covering five centuries, draws on source material from original manuscripts and autobiographies by master sweeps. Reference is made to the origin, development, demise and subsequent reinstatement of the chimney, the sweeping of which became central to a controversy lasting one hundred years.

The book deals with all aspects of the trade the lives sweeps led, the difficulties their apprentices encountered, the way they worked and the invention of sweeping 'machines'.