New Books
Norman Churches in the Canterbury Diocese
Mary Berg & Howard Jones
This is the first detailed consideration of the Norman churches in the Canterbury diocese. During the twelfth century around 100 churches were built or re-built in the eastern half of Kent and the authors shed light on why they were built, the materials and construction methods used, how much the churches cost, how they were paid for and by whom. Close links between East Kent and the Bessin area of Normandy between Bayeux and Caen which started with William the Conqueror’s half-brother, Odo the bishop of Bayeux who was made Earl of Kent, are explored. Suggestions are put forward about how those links were first strengthened and then, after 1204, broken. Political and social developments are reviewed as well as the architectural background.
- over 100 illustrations
- studies of the 18 principal Norman churches in the diocese
- gazetteer entries for some 80 more churches
- sections on Norman fonts
- sections on figurative sculpture in East Kent.
The authors spent many hours visiting, measuring and photographing the churches and their Norman features and the result is seen in the hundreds of detailed plans, drawings, reconstructions and photographs that illustrate the book. The churches, manorial lords and the people of Kent in the twelfth century come alive to provide some idea of the area’s great importance to the conquerors and its relationship with Normandy.
Available from July from all good local bookshops or direct from The History Press. Normal price will be £20.00, but to obtain a pre-order special offer of 15% discount call 01235 465577 or email direct.orders@marston.co.uk quoting reference THPNormanJune09.
Seal: The History of a Parish
Jean Fox, David Williams & Peter Mountfield
ISBN 978-1-86077-464-5.
Although in many ways a typical English agricultural community, Seal had two advantages over some of its neighbours: land suited to pastoral farming, and a lord of the manor who rarely lived in the village. As a result, in the 16th and 17th centuries, five or six rich yeoman families dominated it. The churches, and also later the chapels, played an important part too. Study of the records brings out clearly how the village was managed, and by whom, how little influence the central government has had until recent years and how the village has grown in the last 80 years. Hardback. Fully referenced and illustrated with 50 photographs, maps and drawings. On sale locally for £20.00. Can also be bought (P&P extra) by contacting Mr P Mountfield, tel: 01732 761848 or email: petermountfield@hotmail.com.
History in a City Street – St Margaret’s, Canterbury
Geoffrey Pike & Michael Crux
ISBN 1 899 177 18 3
This book sets out to recreate the character of the Street when it was part of the popular life of the City; a place where gentry lived and where people worked in small businesses and lived with their families behind and above the premises. It is designed rather as a stroll along the street, regarding each building in turn from its architectural and historical features; behind brick fronts medieval timber framing often remains. The principal residents for each property across the century are described with their related business or professional associations. Some of the Street’s special features are considered; the ancient church which once housed the Archdeacon’s Court, Fountain Inn, where City men celebrated with banquets and distinguished visitors making for London or Dover, the Assembly Rooms which also housed the first Canterbury Bank, and the Music Hall. Evidence has also been assembled to suggest a reconstruction of two of the important buildings of Roman Canterbury: the Public Baths and the massive theatre building. Price £8.00. On sale in Waterstones in Canterbury or can be ordered through any good bookshop.