Böcker av Dorothy Nicolle

Shrewsbury, Shropshire's county town, has been an important trading and administrative centre since medieval times because of its position on the River Severn close to the Welsh border. Today, much of the town follows its original medieval street layout and remains largely unspoilt, with its intriguingly named streets and alleyways. For visitors and residents alike there is much history to discover, from the red-sandstone castle to the fifteenth- and sixteenth-century timber-framed buildings reflecting the wealth from the wool trade. In A-Z of Shrewsbury local author Dorothy Nicolle seeks out stories from the past about the town's places and its famous sons and daughters. Notable people, including Charles Darwin, Robert Clive and Wilfred Owen, intermingle with those who are, perhaps, lesser-known, ranging from Aethelflaeda and Percy Thrower (the gardening expert) to Cadman (the tightrope artiste) and Judge Jeffreys (the 'Hanging Judge'). Among the events covered are the Battle of Shrewsbury and the Civil War, as well as visits by royalty through the centuries and the Shrewsbury Flower Show, which is one of the oldest in the country. Finally, many people ask is the name pronounced 'Shrowesbury' or 'Shruesbury'? Well, that depends largely on whoever you ask, but it seems that locals like to tell visitors that neither is right and neither is wrong - as long as they make time to explore this lovely town.

A pocket-sized, illustrated history tour around the Shropshire market town of Ludlow showing how it has changed across the centuries.

This new collection of images traces some of the changes that have taken place in and around this vibrant community over the centuries. It is a town with a long and surprising history, which began with the imposing Norman castle in the control of the infamous Mortimer family. Due to its position in the borderlands, by the Tudor period it became the virtual capital of neighbouring Wales, and the castle was home to some of the country's best known nobles.Though the town's importance declined from the 1700s, as the administrators withdrew to London, Ludlow retained its charm and elegance. Today it is often voted among the nicest towns in the country, and its festivals and restaurants draw visitors from all over the world. This selection of old images and stunning colour photography takes the reader on a journey through the history of Ludlow that is sure to reawaken memories of recent times past.

When the Normans arrived soon after 1066 Shrewsbury was already well established as an administrative centre with trading links throughout both England and Wales. That early market town thrived so that by 1300 or so it was one of the dozen most important and wealthy towns in England, despite regular incursions from the Welsh just over the nearby border. It was the wool trade that made Shrewsbury so successful and this success is evident in the many fine timber buildings. By Victorian times Shrewsbury's importance was being overtaken by newer conurbations growing in industrial areas elsewhere but in a sense this was fortunate since the heart of the town did not suffer massive redevelopment. This unique selection of old and new images and informative captions will be essential reading for anyone who knows and loves this town.