New Books

Two New Books on the History of Rye

The Romney Marsh Research Trust are just completing a major three year project looking into Medieval and early-Modern Rye. The outcome of this is the forthcoming publication of two volumes in November.

Rye Rebuilt: Regeneration and Decline within a Sussex Cinque Port Town, 1350-1660 by David & Barbara Martin, with Jane Cleb and Gillian Draper.

A very readable book which discusses the form and fabric of the port town, concentrating in particular on the old buildings for which the town is rightly famous. The period covered extends from the French raids of the 14th century, through the 16th-century boom years to the town's mid-17th century decline. Illustrated summaries of over a hundred medieval and Tudor timber-framed houses are included. Retail price £30.00.

Rye: a History of a Sussex Cinque Port to 1660 by Gillian Draper, with David and Barbara Martin and Alan Tyler.

This companion volume is an illustrated history of Rye from its origins at the Norman Conquest until the end of its period of great prosperity under the Tudor monarchs. This book substantially takes forward our local knowledge of life in Rye and its hinterlands, covering themes such as seafaring, piracy, the Ypres tower and defences, the parish church and pilgrims, and trade and look in the medieval town. The book is an important contribution to the history of the Cinque Ports in particular and medieval and early-modern towns in general. Retail price £25.00.

The Romney Marsh Research Trust is extending a pre-publication offer to KAS members, giving a generous discount. Both books will be £20.00 each. They can either be collected by appointment after 13 November from the Secretary (01797 224418) or posted to you at £3.00 p&p per book. Please make cheque payable to the RMRT and post by November 5 to the Hon Sec RMRT, 41 Mermaid Street, Rye, TN31 7EU, with sae if you wish an acknowledgement.

Portrait of Canterbury by John Boyle. Edited by Elizabeth Edwards.

John Boyle was Town Clerk of Canterbury from 1942 to 1972, and a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries. He traced the city's history from the earliest times - its record of growth from the Saxon period onwards; the coming of St Augustine; the founding of the cathedral and the growth of the city around it - to the rebuilding of a third of the central area after destruction by aerial attack in 1942. He also dealt with the lighter side of life, including festivals and celebrations, and revealed many startling and even sensational anecdotes.

Whilst retaining the voice of the original author and his judicious evaluations of the political, professional and cultural society of Canterbury in the 1970s, Elizabeth Edwards has updated his portrait for the 21st century. So much has changed during the past 30 years; our knowledge of its history considerably deepened through work by Canterbury Archaeological Trust and the growth of local studies, as well as sweeping changes to the city's fabric in response to modern economic and cultural stimuli. This book pairs Canterbury's rich past and lively present into perspective, providing insight into its fascinating history for the contemporary observer by uniting two cities - the historical one beloved by tourists, and the modern, where residents live and work. Published by Phillimore ISBN: 978-1-86077-582-1. 208 pages, 100 illustrations. £16.99. Available from local bookstores or www.phillimore.co.uk.

Speldhurst Church: Its Story and Its Windows by Guy Hitchings.

This book combines a history and a guide to the church. Much is about the wonderful stained glass windows, notably those designed by Edward Burne-Jones for William Morris & Co and those designed by Morris himself. The history of various rebuilds of the church is detailed in the context of its surrounds; the earliest, probably wooden, version before the Norman Conquest, the 13th century sandstone church with tall and slender spire, the increase in worshippers after the resort of Tunbridge Wells came into being in the 17th century, destruction by lightning in 1791, the reduction of worshippers following the building of churches at nearby Rusthall and Langton Green in the mid 19th century and finally the new building of 1870 which exists today.

The book was published with the aid of a grant from the Allen Grove Local History Fund through the KAS. Available from local bookshops or by post from Mr Hitchings, Spring Bank, Speldhurst, Tunbridge Wells TN3 0PD, for £3.78, which includes p&p. Cheque payable to Guy Hitchings please.