Early Carriages and Roads

A concise historical survey traces the introduction and development of wheeled passenger conveyances in England, from early carts and horse litters to the adoption of continental carriage styles and the emergence of coaches. It describes poor early road conditions and their gradual improvement, technological advances such as suspension and glazing, and the growth of stage, mail and hackney services. The narrative covers regulatory, commercial, and social responses to faster travel, variations in carriage design and use, and the relationship between road-making, horse breeding, and vehicular innovation.