England's Living History

Waterwheels provided our sole source of power, apart from animals and our own sweat, as far back as 200 BC. Windmills arrived in the 12th Century and then both reigned supreme until the appearance of the steam engine during the 18th Century. This vast timespan made them key elements of our history. But do we know what they do and how they work? Stan Yorke sets out to explain just that, using easy-to-follow text and with extensive drawings, diagrams, and photographs. The book describes the various styles of mill, and the process of grinding down grain to produce flour. It looks too at the way the energy from a waterwheel or a windmill's sails is used to power the machinery itself. The explanations and illustrations are linked directly to mills that we can still see today. Fortunately, there are some 400 restored mills, and some even produce flour for sale. The book includes a list of these sites, plus a glossary of unfamiliar terms.

Blubberhouses, Stanstead Mountfitchet and Melbury Bubb ! English place-names can be curious and amusing. They can also tell us about our past. England's towns, villages farms, and even fields, have names whose beginnings stretch back over 2,000 years. In this well-researched book Charles Whynne-Hammond explains the meanings and derivations of these names. He also covers the names of cinemas, theatres, football clubs, and even shopping centers.

Steam railways have always captured the public's imagination. Even from the first stirrings of the mineral lines in the early 1800s through to the heyday of the Railway Age, steam engines kept and continue to keep their fascination. The delight is that around the British Isles is a wide range of working, restored steam railways. Every size and type is represented and it is these railways that primarily feature in this book, providing a real, solid picture of life and transport as it was. The author Stan Yorke explains the development of the steam railway and how the various parts worked. Illustrated by over 100 photographs, and aided by his son Trevor's superb drawings, the book is divided into four sections: the history; the track, signaling and building; the locomotives and rolling stock; and finally a review of the restored railway scene today, including a selection of sites to visit.

The Art Deco exhibition in Paris in 1925 ushered in a new style of architecture based on the latest designs from Europe and American-flat roofs, plain facades, reinforced concrete and white paint inside and out. Streamlining was the watchword and houses, from bungalows to detached family homes, were planned around their internal use. Using his own drawings, diagrams and photographs, author Trevor Yorke explains in an easy-to-understand manner all aspects of the 1930s house, and provides a definitive guide for those who are renovating, tracing the history of their own home, or simply interested in houses of the period. The book is divided into four sections. The first outlines the history of the period; the second steps inside and looks at the different rooms and their fittings and goes on to describe the gardens and garages.; the third section explains briefly the developments in housing after this period; and the final section contains a quick reference guide, including notes on how to date houses, a glossary of unfamiliar terms, further reading and details of places to visit.

A Georgian or Regency house conjures up a distinct and much admired image. Elegance, refinement and beautiful proportions have made this period an inspiration for later architects and a popular choice for today's house buyer. Whether it is the grand, symmetrical facades embellished with classical motifs or elegant terrace arranged around spacious communal gardens, this easy to understand guide looks behind the distinctive public face of houses dating from 1714 to 1830. It explains how and why they were built, laid out and designed, how they appeared inside and who owned them. Using his own drawings, diagrams and photographs, author Trevor Yorke explains all aspects of the Georgian and Regency house and provides a comprehensive guide for those who are renovating, tracing the history of their own home or simply interested in houses of this notable period. The book is divided into three sections. The first outlines the history of the period, which affected how houses were planned and built, explains the development, structure and design, and describes the plans, materials and construction. The second steps inside and looks at the different rooms and their fittings, what they were used for and how they would have appeared. The final section contains a quick reference guide with notes on dating houses, suggestions for further reading, a glossary of unfamiliar terms and details of places to visit.

The Victorian house comes in all shapes, sizes and materials. The legacy of this hugely influential era can be found in every region of England, from the majestic rows of gleaming white terraces in West London to the grid of redbrick houses in northern mill towns. Using his own drawings, diagrams and photographs, the author, Trevor Yorke, explains, in an easy to understand manner, all aspects of the Victorian house and provides a definitive guide for those who are renovating, tracing the history of their own house or are simply interested in this notable period. The book provides a background to different phases of design throughout the Victorian age from the 1830s to the early 1900s. Various areas are considered in detail, including the layout and use of rooms; fixtures and fittings; sources of heat and lighting, domestic machinery such as kitchen ranges and laundry equipment; and gardens and outbuildings. Also included is a quick reference guide with notes on dating houses, recommended books, places to visit and a glossary of the less familiar architectural terms.

The period from 1900 to 1914-the Edwardian Age-is often thought of as a golden time of country house parties and endless summers. In fact, it was a time of great social change. Wealthy industrialists were building houses for their workers at Port Sunlight (Lever), Bournville (Cadbury) and New Earswick (Rowntree). The garden suburb was also being developed and seen as a way of clearing slum housing from big cities such as London and Liverpool. The Edwardians built a wide range of houses, from four-bedroomed semi-detached cottages to country houses and villas. Many had fashionable olde world facades and the latest technology inside. The Arts and Craft style was particularly popular, as was architect Sir Edwin Lutyens. Using his own drawings, diagrams and photographs, author Trevor Yorke explains, in an easy-to-understand fashion, all aspects of the Edwardian house, and provides a definitive guide for those who are renovating, tracing the history of their own house or simply interested in houses of the period. The book is divided into three sections. The first outlines the story of the Edwardian Age and how its housing developed, with styles of the exterior being featured and discussed. The second looks at room layouts and fittings, and how they were used. The third gives details of places to visit, a glossary of terms and brief notes to help pinpoint the exact date of these buildings.

England has many magnificent castles from the medieval period that have survived siege and the stresses of time. They are awesome reminders of the country's turbulent history and most of them are open to the public. Few though, are complete, and it can be hard to visualize the scale of the original battlements, the vast keep, and the grassed spaces that once rang to the cheers of tournament, the shouts of battle, and the ringing clash of steel on steel. Using clear and detailed diagrams and photographs, author Trevor Yorke explains how all the elements of the castle fitted together. He shows how the role of the castle altered over the centuries from military fortress to palatial home. He carefully describes individual features such as the portcullis and drawbridge, domestic quarters, kitchens, staircases and dungeons. There is a time chart for dating castles, a glossary of unfamiliar terms and a list of recommended castles to visit.