In the 18th century, pettifogger, under-strapper and Wapping attorney were all pejorative epithets for a certain class of disreputable lawyer. My solicitor forebears came from Wapping, but I hope to present sufficient evidence in these pages to acquit them of any charge of pettifoggery or under-strapping.

The author, who lives near Darmstadt in Germany, has been researching this branch of his ancestry for over ten years.