How To Read A Village - Hardcover

Muir, Richard

4.3

10 ratings by Goodreads

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0091920116 ISBN 13: 9780091920111

Publisher: Ebury Press, 2007

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What constitutes a village? What is the significance of the maypole? What was the true purpose of a village green? What is a 'moot hall'? What is the origin of lich-gates? What was the real role of a yeoman? How come whole villages have disappeared over the centuries? This book reveals the answers and provides all the tools a village detective will need. Village history, points out the author, is embedded in the village landscape. Village stories can, therefore, be 'read' : this book will reveal how.

Arranging the book thematically, chapters cover ancient villages; the village green (including maypoles, pubs and ponds); the village church; cottages and farmsteads; village architecture (including lock-ups and market crosses); village casualties; fishing villages; clachans and fermtouns; villages of the modern era. Drawing on dozens of real villages as examples, the author, an expert on the landscape, matches up popular images and perceptions with the realities of old village life and history. Illustrating his theories with photographs, maps and drawings, he shows how amateur enthusiasts can pursue local village history with fascinating results. Covering the whole of Britain, he also points out key regional differences - for example, why villages in Scotland follow a different pattern to villages in England. This is a fascinating book that will delight lovers of local history everywhere.

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Product Description:

A leading expert in the history of landscape, Richard Muir covers all aspects of villages throughout the British Isles, explaining how to interpret the history of a village by exploring features such as the village green, the church, cottages and farmsteads. As well as each of these features there are chapters on fishing villages, deserted villages and Scottish clachans and fermtouns, all richly illustrated with photographs and interspersed with practical guidance on how to carry out your own research.

Review:

"One does not want to do anything but praise Richard Muir for his readableness...he provides a remarkable amount of useful information" (Daily Telegraph)

"Dr Muir lets his exploration and enthusiasms run full and free, with the result that one is swept along by a mixture of eagerness and fresh views" (Ronald Blythe Sunday Times)

"..a good informative read. But if you fancy going one step further and getting your hands dirty by delving into the history of your favourite village, this volume will also provide you with the basic tools - and certainly the inspiration - to do precisely that." (BBC Countryfile magazine)

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