Tamworth has a particularly rich history. Once the royal centre of the Kings of Mercia, it has yet to regain its Dark Ages importance, but the centuries - and this new book - are full of events and of the everyday details of individuals and their lives. From a wealth of surviving sources the author has vividly brought to life the entire past of Tamworth, in words and pictures.
From the earliest prehistoric inhabitants of the Tame Valley to the present day, every age has played a part in defining the unique nature and character of Tamworth. The parish church of St Editha has its roots in the ancient Saxon borough and, together with the castle on its mound and the legacies of such men of vision as Thomas Guy, Robert Peel and William MacGregor, helps to maintain the link between time past and time present.
The last three decades have seen unprecedented growth and change and much has been written in recent years about what Tamworth has lost through redevelopment. With hindsight it is easy to point to errors, and mistakes were undoubtedly made; but this book is not another lament for some golden yesterday. Rather, it is a celebration of a thriving, independent town that all too often overlooks and undervalues its heritage. For the many people in the area who want to explore their local history this book is overdue; they will find it, with the profusion of carefully-chosen pictures, an easy and a very enjoyable read.
Contents:
List of Illustrations
Acknowledgements
1. From Prehistory to Royal Anglo-Saxon Town
2. Conquest and Castle: Domesday and the Marmions
3. The Late Middle Ages: Life, Death and Fire
4. Church, College and the Reformation
5. Municipal Unity: Incorporation, Plague and Civil War
6. Patronage and Charity: Bequests and Benefactors
7. Progress, Politics and the Peel Family
8. Victorian Values: Trade, Health and Education
9. War and Peace: Austerity and the Last Sir Robert Peel
10. Overspill, Expansion and Tamworth Today
Sources for Further Reading
Index
