England S Villages

THE STUNNING NEW BOOK FROM THE HOST OF BBC 2'S VILLAGES BY THE SEA England's villages have survived, developed, and thrived over hundreds of years. But what makes a village and how has that changed over time? Take a charming and unexpected journey through the quirks of England's villages throughout the ages in the excellent company of Dr Ben Robinson, expert archaeologist. Join him in visiting villages from prehistoric, to Roman, to medieval times, all the way through to today's modern, urban villages. Discover how landowners, governments and communities have shaped villages, why village greens, village pubs and village halls exist, and the real meaning behind names like Bunny, Yelling, Lover, Great Snoring and Slaughter. A compelling study of archaeology, history and architecture, England's Villages is a thoughtful, enlightening and informative look at our oldest homes, uncovering and revealing the extraordinary heritage of the places that surround us.

In this beautifully illustrated book reknowned landscape archaeologist Richard Muir tells the story of the English village. He considers the Anglo-Saxon origins of the village, how individual villages acquired distinctive forms and names, and the structures common to villages such as the church, the village green, and the village school. He also looks at village life, and at the changing landscape down to the present day.

Reproduction of the original. The publishing house Megali specialises in reproducing historical works in large print to make reading easier for people with impaired vision.

Reproduction of the original.

The English village conjures up an image of rural harmony and of our ancestors woven into the broader pageant of England's past. But existing village histories are often mere lists of past lords of the manor. What we are really interested in is how a village began, what it might have looked like down the centuries, and what clues to the past are still there for those who know what to look for. In this book, Trevor Yorke takes on the role of village detective as he documents the development of the English village from pre-Roman settlements to the present day communities. His superb drawings illustrate the physical appearance of the village through different periods of history and there are diagrams and photographs of historic features. There is a separate chapter for those who wish to trace the history of a specific village, listing areas in which to begin research, books that may help, and places to visit for further advice. Trevor Yorke is a full time writer and designer. His books include Timber Framed Buildings Explained, The Country House Explained and British Architectural Styles.

The romantic imagery of village England and the prominence that this commands in English cultural identity is well known. Yet just how accurate is this notion of the rural idyll in which the organic nature of village life was gradually undermined, and destroyed, by social and economic factors? Trevor Wild's text explores the evolution of "village England" from the earliest times to the present. Drawing upon both contemporary accounts and scholarship, he provides an engaging and revealing account of the major transformations affecting the English village. Of particular interest is the book's coverage of the more recent past, with the whittling away of the great estates, the appearance of such institutions as the village hall, and the development of alternative systems of power such as the councils.