New Books

The Isle of Thanet from Prehistory to the Norman Conquest by Gerald Moody

The History Press ISBN 978-0-7524-4689-9

The Isle of Thanet is located at the north-eastern tip of the county of Kent. In the Bronze Age Thanet was separated from the mainland of Kent by the Wantsum Channel. Its unique position made it part of a key trade route with the continent from the prehistoric to the later medieval period. The island has a unique and diverse archaeological heritage which has been revealed over three centuries of discovery. In this first comprehensive and up-to-date survey of the archaeology of the area, Gerald Moody explores the history of Thanet from prehistoric times to the Norman Conquest, through the story of the rich and varied archaeological finds and a study of the key sites identified on the island. This is an important account of a fascinating, but little-known area of Britain.

The book will be available from November this year. Normal price will be £17.99 but a flyer with a special 15% discount will appear in the October issue of the Newsletter.

Sittingbourne – A History by John Clancy

Unlike Mr Clancy’s previous books about Sittingbourne, this one concentrates on Sittingbourne alone, thus allowing the author more space to devote to the town’s past. Whereas most authors have in the past told how the crossroads at the High Street, East Street, Bell Road and Crown Quay Lane was once the epicentre of the town, Mr Clancy rolls back the pages of history further with the help of colleagues from the Historical Research Group, to a time when it was located at Bayford on the Iron Age trackway where there was once a ford crossing the Creek. He also considers whether Sittingbourne grew from a collection of different settlements located hereabouts.

Sittingbourne was once renowned for its hospitality to passing travellers and there are records of many royal personages and the nobility passing through. Mr Clancy has come up with a new name to add to the list – William the Conqueror. Recently, archaeologists have conjectured that the Norman lord stayed here awhile whilst en route from Hastings to London, and they have a pretty good idea where that encampment might have been.

Published by Phillimore and Co Ltd, this 116-page hard-back book contains 104 pictures and illustrations from the author’s own collection, many of which have not been published in books before. The front and back of the dust jacket is illustrated by two views of the High Street painted by local artist, David Harvey. The book is £15.99 and is available at W.H. Smith and other outlets.