Potted History

Rotherham's history dates back to a Roman fort by the River Don, through its mining and industrial past, particularly its steelworks, to today's busy town in Yorkshire. In the Middle Ages, much of the area around Rotherham was deer parks owned by local lords, and traditional crafts such as coppicing, charcoal burning, milling and tanning were practised by the community. Coal mining, iron production and glass-making were also local industries and these expanded enormously in the Industrial Revolution; mining from the Barnsley seam began between 1840 and 1850 and continued to expand to other coal seams in the years following. Safety standards at the time were lacking and many coal mining disasters happened in the area. The largest steelworks was Templeborough, opened in 1916 to satisfy demand in the First World War and in operation until 1993. Alongside the industrial growth in Rotherham, civic building expanded, with the first public library opening in 1728.Illustrated throughout, this accessible historical portrait of the transformation that Rotherham has undergone through the ages will be of great interest to residents, visitors and all those with links to the town.

Bicester: A Potted History covers the full history of the town, from the Roman settlement of Alchester that preceded it, through its Saxon, Tudor and Victorian developments, right up to the present day. Some of Bicester's ancient history remains today. The parish church dedicated to the Saxon Saint Edburg has around 900 years of history, and a priory was also founded in the town in the twelfth century. In recent decades Bicester has seen many new housing developments and expansions, bringing new people to the town. The historic heart of Bicester has remained, but new developments around the edge of the town continue to expand its horizons. Illustrated throughout, this accessible historic portrait of the transformation that Bicester has undergone through the ages will be of great interest to residents, visitors and all those with links to the town.

- The latest in Amberley's new 'Potted History' series - Reviews and coverage in local press and media - Author is a Lichfield city guide - Sales potential in heritage and visitor sites as well as bookshops

Southampton has been a major port on the south coast of England since the Norman Conquest, when it was a significant departure route for trade to Normandy, as well as for invading forces. Its position meant it was also potentially threatened by forces from abroad and extensive defences were built over the centuries, from its medieval walls to Tudor fortifications along the Solent. In the nineteenth century Southampton Docks were developed and the strategic importance of the city, as well as vital manufacturing sites such as the Supermarine Spitfire factory, meant that Southampton was heavily targeted by German aerial bombardment during the Second World War with heavy destruction of life and buildings. Today Southampton is a major commercial centre and has attracted new industries. Illustrated throughout, this accessible historical portrait of the transformation that Southampton has undergone through the ages will be of great interest to residents, visitors and all those with links to the city.

Place matters in Cork. From its marshy foundations at the lowest crossing point of the River Lee, the city spread across its steep suburban hillsides. Journeying from the south of the city to its north prospects reveals a rich range of historic spaces. The urban landscape is filled with stories about its past. Some sites one would pass and stop and contemplate whilst many others one would not give a second look. But a second and even a third look reveals some very historical nuggets about Cork's development. Cork: A Potted History takes the viewer on a walking trail of fifty sites and takes a line from the city's famous lake known just as The Lough across the former medieval core and ends in the historic north suburbs of Blackpool. Starting at The Lough – a Cork gem – which once hosted everything from duels to ice-skating and its own tree nursery, the trail then rambles to hidden moats, ancient hospital sites, lost meeting houses, legacies of medieval remnants, across ancient streetscapes to exploring forgotten industrial urban spaces. This book reveals the city's lesser-known heritage and hidden urban features.

The city of Preston in Lancashire is renowned for its industrial heritage, with centuries of textile manufacturing and its boom years during the Industrial Revolution. However, as this book reveals, industry is but one aspect of its rich and fascinating past. In Preston: A Potted History, local author Keith Johnson explores the city's heritage, charting its journey from earliest times right up to the present day. He highlights the significant events, incredible achievements and enthralling interludes that have taken place in the city, which was known in Saxon times as 'Priest's Town'. Not surprisingly monks and monasteries, churches and chapels, preachers and parsons have all contributed to the growth of the place. Through successive centuries the author looks at Preston's people and their progress, the transport and trade, industry and innovations, celebrations and ceremonies, education and entertainment, along with the political and military conflicts. This engaging and informative book reveals the poverty, turmoil, triumphs and transformation that Preston has undergone throughout history. Illustrated throughout, this accessible historical portrait will be of great interest to residents, visitors and all those with links to the city.

Whitby has a fascinating history, changing roles over the centuries from a religious centre to one of the country's most important ports and later a resort. The king of Northumbria founded the monastery on the headland in the seventh century and installed St Hilda as the first abbess. Although it was abandoned following attacks by Danish raiders who later settled in the area, the abbey was re-established by the Normans. Following Henry VIII's Dissolution of the Monasteries, the harbour and new industries were developed in Whitby, including alum mining, shipbuilding and transporting coal. Captain James Cook's ships Endeavour and Resolution were originally Whitby colliers. Shipowners, merchants and shipbuilders settled in Whitby and built grand houses, alongside the more humble dwellings of those who worked in the port or local industries.The town was also known for its whaling fleet and the production of jet jewellery. From the eighteenth century the town began to be developed as a resort, with more visitors arriving in the nineteenth century when the railway was built, and today is a popular tourist destination. Through successive centuries the author looks at what has shaped Whitby's history. Illustrated throughout, this accessible historical portrait of the transformation that Whitby has undergone through the ages will be of great interest to residents, visitors and all those with links to the town.

- The latest in Amberley's new 'Potted History' series - Reviews and coverage in local press and media - Sales potential in heritage outlets as well as bookshops - Author lives locally and is available to promote the book

- The latest in Amberley's new 'Potted History' series - Reviews and coverage in local press and media - Sales potential in heritage outlets as well as bookshops - Author lives locally and is available to promote the book

Darlington's history is popularly seen as the story of Quakers and railways but there is much more to the town's past than this. From its beginnings as a Saxon settlement, it became the southern stronghold of the land of the Prince Bishops, a market town, had its own Great Fire long before London, provided inns for travellers along the Great North Road, became an industrial centre and faced the twenty-first century with a diversified economy as the old heavy industries closed. Along the way, as the town grew rapidly in the nineteenth century, it was a group of Quaker Darlington businessmen who masterminded the beginnings of Britain's railway system in the town. This book will look back over the centuries to uncover the fascinating history of the town. Stories of the town's rebels, reformers, activists, benefactors, heroes and campaigners, England's first black professional football player, as well as the lives of the ordinary folk, bring the history to life, together with illustrations to show where reminders of the town's past can still be found. Illustrated throughout, this accessible historical portrait of the transformation that Darlington has undergone through the ages will be of great interest to residents, visitors and all those with links to the town.

From 1100 Lynn's prominence as an English port town depended on an extensive hinterland embraced by the Great Ouse river system. This privileged geographical position was reinforced by its location on England's east coast, facing Europe across the North Sea. The Wash haven experienced relative decline after 1750 due to the absence of an expanding industrial hinterland; however, Lynn's international and coastal trades (grain, coal, timber and wine) remained considerable into the nineteenth century. The coming of the railways in the 1840s robbed the Norfolk town of its geographical advantages. It was rescued by the construction of two enclosed docks linked to the national railway network which sparked an industrial revolution led by engineering factories. The town's population was growing by 1900, but Lynn's late Victorian economic growth was not sustained into the 1920s and 1930s. The council sealed an overspill agreement with the Greater London Council in 1962, which heralded a second industrial revolution. Suburban industrial and housing estates were built, though parts of the historic town were also redeveloped. Yet Lynn retains an exceptional historic built environment which connects us with what was for centuries a premier English maritime community. Illustrated throughout, this accessible historical portrait of the transformation that King's Lynn has undergone through the ages will be of great interest to residents, visitors and all those with links to the town.

Lincoln is a modern university city. It has a bustling twenty-first-century waterfront with restaurants, bars and hotels, and for over forty years it was home to the UK's original Christmas market. However, this popular tourist destination has an ancient history that can be traced back 2,000 years to when it was a large Roman harbour town called Lindum Colonia. Despite the transformation the city has undergone over the centuries, much of its architectural heritage remains, with the Roman infrastructure and buildings from the time of the Norman Conquest still in existence close to Lincoln's magnificent cathedral. As a market town, Lincoln prospered due to its proximity to the ancient Fosse Way, which made trading easy, and with the arrival of the railways and industry in the nineteenth century Lincoln became a major centre for heavy industry. The city also played a unique role in both World Wars. It was at Lincoln's William Foster and Co. factory that the first tank was developed for the military in 1916, and nearby airfields, which were home to Bomber Command, became pivotal in helping the Allies to win the Second World War. Illustrated throughout, this accessible historical portrait of Lincoln's transformation through the ages will be of great interest to residents, visitors and all those with links to the city.

- The latest in Amberley's new 'Potted History' series - Reviews and coverage in local press and media - Sales potential in heritage outlets as well as bookshops - Author lives locally and is available to publicise the book

- The latest in Amberley's new Potted History series - Reviews and coverage in local press and media - Sales potential in heritage outlets as well as bookshops - Author lives locally and is available to promote the book

- The latest in Amberley's new 'Potted History' series - Reviews and coverage in local press and media - Sales potential in heritage outlets as well as bookshops - Author is available to promote the book