History

The Mysterious Captain Brocklehurst 'General Gordon's Unknown Aide' (price 9.99) This work talks about the life of Major-General John Fielden Brocklehurst Lord Ranksborough 1852-1921. More than 120 years after the fall of Khartoum and the death of General Gordon, the private papers of John Brocklehurst, published here for the first time, reveal new facts and a fresh look at the familiar story. The young cavalry officer played a pivotal part in the last eight years of Gordon's life and served in the Gordon Relief Expedition. Later, he commanded the cavalry in the siege of Ladysmith during the Boer War and as Equerry to Queen Victoria and Queen Alexandra and Lord-in-Waiting to George V he was a close friend and confidant of the British Royal Family. Diplomatic ventures with the pioneering journalist WT Stead involved him in trying to end the Boer War and save Russia from revolution. Who was the young cavalry officer who became General Gordon's companion and was responsible for persuading Gordon to undertake his final mission to Khartoum? His towering height was not matched by ambition but he rose to command a crack cavalry regiment and, without the advantages of birth or wealth became the trusted friend and confidant of two Queens of England. How did he manage so successfully to combine a position in the Royal household and work with the radical crusading journalist WT Stead on diplomatic missions to resolve the Boer War and attempt to introduce democracy to Russia before the revolution? Yet his name and adventures remain unrecorded in any of the history books of his era. For the first time we have been able to access his private papers and those of his family to reveal the hitherto unknown cavalryman who was to play such an important role behind the scenes in many of the major events of his lifetime. CONTENTS: MORE DETAILS	cover
The Victorian Elver Wars' (price 5.95) This book is a walk through time, a time of elvers past, when the little beast rode the Severn bore in such huge numbers that those fishermen of the night saw by Lantern and flame, what seemed a great serpent passing endlessly before their eyes. In those far off days people were few, and elvers many. It is the story of those Severnsiders who harvested the welcome springtime arrival, from time immemorial, and took their lowly share for themselves and neighbours, and asked for no-more. And how the changing years saw many people settle in the Severn side City of Gloucester, and ancient laws were dusted away to deny the ordinary folk their spring time succour and precious right to fish for the elver. That such defiance from the Victorian folk against such laws moved the highest authority of Country and Empire, to bring forth an inquiry, that would once more return them free to the banks of the Severn, to fish for the little elver. We look one hundred years past, when intrepid scientists from Europe, rode the Atlantic Oceans in their steamships and nets, and slowly began to uncover the mysteries as to whence the elver came from. And how these revelations brought the first elver depot in the world to Edwardian England on the banks of the Severn at Epney. We see the marvels of transport Technology bring the little elver into the Twentieth Century, and how it was taken from the lives of ordinary folk, and sold to the rest of the World. And whether the little beast will survive, because now people are many, the elver few. MORE DETAILS	cover
Gloucestershire Worthies(price 4.95) Facts and details of Over 230 famous people who have lived in Gloucestershire arranged geographically in town order MORE DETAILS	cover
A History of Minsterworth(price 5.95) Apart from being one of the best places to watch the unique Severn Bore as it races up the River Severn, Minsterworth has an extremely interesting history dating back to Domesday and before. Terry Moore-Scott has produced an absorbing book entitled "A History of Minsterworth from Pre-History to 1900" which tells the story of a rural village beside the River Severn. The author's detailed research tells us about the development of the village from earliest times and about the manorial lands and their occupants, and helpfully explains the structures of the major families who resided within the area. He gives us a feel of some of the other occupations of the villagers especially those connected to the River Severn. There also some interesting snippets, including the legend of a visit to Minsterworth in 1016 by the Anglo Saxon King of England Edmund Ironside and some very human insights taken from accounts written by William Grasing, a churchwarden and local farmer during the 18th century. This well researched book will be of great interest to historians and it has been written in such a way that we can all readily understand and easily follow the sequence of events. "A History of Minsterworth (From Prehistory to 1900)", ISBN 1873877749, and ISBN 13 9781873877746, is another book from the Cotswold publishers Reardon Publishing. CONTENTS: MORE DETAILS	cover
Old Stones of the Cotswolds and Forest of Dean (price 4.95) "OLD STONES of the Cotswolds & Forest of Dean" ISBN 1873877374 by DANNY SULLIVAN Written by Danny Sullivan an architect. This guide to old stones in the Cotswolds and Forest of Dean is designed for the curious, the megalith hunter, walker and antiquary alike. knowing the stones locations, history, folklore, legend and any interesting anecdotes attached to them. Many of the stones are illustrated by photograph or drawing and all are supplied with map references for ease of location MORE DETAILS	cover
Along the Severn from Source to Sea (price 4.95) ALONG the SEVERN from SOURCE to SEA ISBN I 873877 31 5 By Chris Witts From Pllynlimon to the Bristol Channel follow Chris Witts as he takes you along Britain's longest river, pointing out famous landmarks and a landscape steeped in history, the book also contains many drawings by Chris of the wonderful sights you will see as you follow in his footsteps. MORE DETAILS	cover
Bibury (price 2.50) BIBURY (A COTSWOLD VILLAGE) ISBN 1-873877-13-7 BY JOANNA E DEE. This wonderful village guide is a must for anyone visiting Bibury. Nearly the whole village has helped with its production making it unique with a charm which is only surpassed by the village itself. Only with the support of the whole village could we produce such a guide as this at such a low price. This guide offers so much it is hard to begin to list its contents but to try:- Its a history book taking the reader from 720 AD to the present day, Local folklore and ghost stories haunt the pages, full descriptions upon all the attractions the village has to offer along with the history behind them, places to eat and drink, places to stay, places to shop, places open to the public all are described along with a full map of the village. The book is also full of wildlife drawings and pen and ink sketches by Cotswold artist Peter Reardon, and the colour photos by Cotswold photographer Julia Craig capture the village with the world famous Arlington Row. MORE DETAILS	cover
Castle Combe (price 2.50) Castle Combe An illustrated walk through history. Drawings, maps, text and design all hand drawn by Paul Snowdon Cover Photography by Philip Pierce PROVINCIAL PICTURES Bath Familiar around the world on post cards, calendars, chocolate boxes, Castle Combe is the Archetypal English village. Text is all hand drawn and set around wonderful line drawings of this famous village. MORE DETAILS	cover
Discovering Bath (price 4.95) "Discovering Bath" an illustrated guide By Paul Snowdon For the two million people who visit Bath each year the City needs no introduction. Or does it? visitors from around the world flock to see the magnificent Georgian terraces, the ancient Roman Baths, the extra-ordinary range of delightful shops, and the restaurants. Paul Snowdon's love of Bath and its history comes alive with this unique little book which has over 100 detailed illustrations and maps, each with a hand written commentary and linked together to focus on the various famous aspects of this great city be it the Abbey, the Canal, the Baths, Pierrepont St etc.. MORE DETAILS	cover
Rivers Villages and Valleys (price 4.95) Rivers Villages and Valleys, a journey through North East Somerset, Bristol and Bath by Paul Snowden Discover the wonderful area of countryside to the South of Bristol and Bath with this hand illustrated guide to the Towns, Villages and Hamlets that fill the Valleys of North East Somerset MORE DETAILS	cover
Bourton on the Water illustrated Guide (price 2.95) Bourton on the Water an Illustrated Guide by Paul Snowdon. This beautifully handrawn guide to this famous Cotswold village brings alive the history of the area dating from before Roman times, explore this village's history page by page. This is no ordinary book; it is a labour of love, a guide book to one of the Cotswolds most beautiful villages, scribed entirely by hand. In sixty three illustrations, amateur Cotswold artist Paul Snowdon guides us through the geography, history and attractions of Bourton on the Water. Through the eyes of an illustrator we see the forces which created this riverside village right through to the modern day tourist venues. All interspersed with memorable views of the river its bridges, and the wide, busy High Street. In these days of computers, digital art and word processors, a guide book created entirely by the hand of an enthusiastic artist seems wonderfully fitting in beautiful Bourton. MORE DETAILS	cover
Warwalks "Stop Line Green" (price 4.95) WAR WALKS Stop Line Green ISBN 1 873877 390 by Major Martin Green History, Photographs and Walks around the World War 11 defenses, Pill boxes and Anti Tank bollards from Gloucester to the South of Bristol. Stop Line Green was one of the major defenses against land invasion during the 1940's MORE DETAILS	cover
The Cheltenham Experience (price 4.95) The Cheltenham Experience an illustrated circular walk and town guide By Miriam Harrison & Shirley Alexander This town guide not only shows you around this wonderful Spa Town but also entertains with the hidden history behind what a modern visitor can see. Illustrated by Cotswold Artist Peter Reardon, Town Quiz, Map of the Town Centre and 5 spur maps. A must for anyone visiting Cheltenham Spa MORE DETAILS	cover
The Cirencester Experience (price 4.95) The Cirencester Experience illustrated circular walk and town guide By Miriam Harrison & Shiny Alexander Roman Corinium "The Capital of the Cotswolds" This town guide not only shows you around this Roman Town but also entertains with the hidden history behind what a modern visitor can see. illustrated by Cotswold Artist Peter Reardon Town Quiz Map of the Town Centre and 3 spur maps. A must for anyone wishing to explore this Roman town. MORE DETAILS	cover
The Cirencester Experience (price 9.99) The Cirencester Experience illustrated circular walk and town guide By Miriam Harrison & Shiny Alexander Roman Corinium "The Capital of the Cotswolds" This boxed town guide not only shows you around this Roman Town but you can lisen to the history behind what a modern visitor can see by tape with comes with a town history booklet. MORE DETAILS	cover
Emma Dent Diary (price 3.95) EMMA DENT Diary -10th August 1859 I have often thought how much I would like to keep a journal of my every day life in England. INTRODUCTION by LADY ASHCOMBE Emma Dent's presence began to assert itself almost as soon as I took over responsibility of Sudeley Castle in the early 1970's. Everywhere I looked there was nothing this extraordinary woman had not had a hand in. Her achievements at Sudeley and in Winchcombe and its environs left a daunting and salutary example of Victorian philanthropy. My image of her was a stern arid intimidating matriarch. It was not until years later, when I discovered her diaries that a softer, more intriguing truth was revealed. Here was a woman with a wry sense of humour, a deep enduring love for her husband and a fiercely unconvential streak. Often alone and suffering from an oppressive sense of duty, she seemed happiest when travelling. Besides her diaries a wealth of personal items, scrapbooks and trunks full of lace and needlework remained tucked away in the old 'Long Room', (where the exhibition is now housed) unexplored for three-quarters of a century. I felt an interesting tribute to Emma's life at Sudeley could be created from this odd assortment of memorabilia MORE DETAILS	cover
Cotswold Romance (price 4.95) ISBN 1 873877 47 1 The 17th Century story of Mary and John Collett by Phillis (Collett) Tyler Cover design by Nicholas Reardon. MORE DETAILS	cover
Railway Walks (price 4.95) Railway Walks by Major Martin Green Abandoned railway lines can offer rewarding walks through the heart of the countryside, away from roads and traffic, rich in flora and faunaand littered with dramatic examples of Victorian civil engineering. In short, there is something to the taste of the routine walker and the rainlway enthusiast. For either type they are best done twice, once in summer and once in winter. The summer will show what grows where the plow and the sprayer to not go, while the winter will show the detail of what was built, well over a century ago. This book features walks throughout Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Oxfordshire. CONTENTS: The Midland and South Western Junction railway - Withington station - South Cerney station - the Cirencester Branch line - the Malmesbury Branch line - the Tetbury Branch line - the Marlborough Branch line - the Tidworth Branch line - the Nailsworth Branch line - the Calne Branch line - the Highworth Branch line - the Fairford Branch line - the Dursley Branch line MORE DETAILS	cover