Books in the Victoria County History series

The volume was originally published in 1954, and was the work of a team of distinguished historians. It broke new ground, for although separate histories of the university and its colleges had been written, it was the first comprehensive scholarly account of all those institutions. The opening chapter on the history of the university from its 12th-century beginnings to the mid 20th century is followed by chapters on the grammar schools of the medieval university and on the architectural and institutional history of the several university buildings. The greater portion of the book is devoted to the histories of the colleges and halls, each of which is the subject of a separate article. The articles are precise and fully referenced, telling of such matters as the foundation and buildings of the college, its estates, its religious and academic history, and its outstanding personalities. The many illustrationsinclude plates of old prints and drawings; there are also plans which carry forward the work of the Royal Commission on Historical Monuments. 'The book abounds in new and interesting information ... the result of research in muniments which have not before been so carefully and intelligently investigated.' (F. M. Powicke in English Historical Review).

A collection of all available Staffordshire volumes in the Victoria County History series.

THIS volume contains a translation of the Dorset section of Domesday Book with a commentary and index. The Exchequer and Exeter texts of the Survey are printed side by side for purposes of comparison. The text of the Dorset section of the Geld Rolls with translation and commentary is appended.

The volume describes the history of Tewkesbury and 22 other parishes lying mainly between the Severn and Bredon and Cleeve Hills. Tewkesbury itself was once an important centre for communications, manufacture, trade, and administration; its great abbey church remains, and the many timber-framed houses recall its past prosperity. Bishop's Cleeve had a monastery in the 8th century and later became a demesne manor of the Bishop of Worcester. There was an early minster church at Beckford, and at Deerhurst a Saxon monastery with a remarkable church that is still in use. At Forthampton part of the Abbot of Tewkesbury's manor-house survives. There were also substantial lay estates, not only the great manor of Tewkesbury, long owned by the Earls of Gloucester, but also those of lesser baronial families, like the Beauchamps, Pauncefoots, and Cardiffs. The land, once densely wooded, has mostly long been agricultural,though in Corse and Tirley parts of the former chase were not inclosed until 1797, and there were large sheep-pastures in the hills. Prestbury was becoming residential by the late 18th century and later on engineering works stimulated the growth of other places in the area.

This volume describes the history of the borough of Arundel, with its noted castle, religious houses, and Roman Catholic cathedral, and 11 rural and suburban parishes in the adjoining coastal region of Sussex, including the seaside resorts of Felpham and Middleton.