Brentwood: A History by Jennifer Ward
Brentwood began as a small settlement in a woodland clearing on the London to Colchester road over eight hundred years ago. Gradually it developed into a small market town where medieval pilgrims, on their way to the shrine of St Thomas Becket at Canterbury, visited St Thomas' Chapel in the High Street. The 16th century saw new gentry families moving into the area and the foundation of the Grammar School in 1558, which provided local boys with a free classical education. Road improvements and increasing travel brought growing prosperity to the town in the 18th century, especially for the inns serving the coach traffic. The establishment of Warley Camp and Barracks also brought in business, but many of Brentwood's inhabitants remained poor, and living conditions were bad. It was in Victoria's reign that a proper public water supply and drainage schemes were undertaken. At the same time new churches were built, together with schools to educate all the town's children. The town still benefits from the community spirit of those early benefactors who improved the amenities of Bentwood. Much is known about them and their successors who, decade after decade, continued to enhance and develop the town throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. The author does not neglect the ordinary people of Brentwood either, and their changing patterns of life, work and leisure. Indeed the growth of recreational activities from the 1880s onwards, as evidenced by the town's clubs and societies, continues unabated in the Brentwood of today. Now a busy commuter town, it has grown rapidly since 1945. The author is a professional historian who has taught local history in the University of London for many years; but her narrative is no dry-as-dust textbook. Readable and entertaining, it is also lavishly illustrated and will appeal to a wide readership. Based on scholarship and original research, this vivid account of the past of her home town will be warmly welcomed.
Ward, Jennifer: - Jennifer Ward is the author of numerous acclaimed books for children, including I Love Dirt! 52 Activities to Help You and Your Kids Discover the Wonders of Nature, The Busy Tree, There Was an Old Monkey Who Swallowed a Frog, and There Was an Odd Princess Who Swallowed a Pea. Her books have received many honors, including the Giverny Award for Best Children's Science Picture Book, the Growing Young Readers' Book Award, the American Booksellers Association Book Sense Pick of the Lists, a Learning Magazine Teachers' Choice Award for Best Children's Picture Book, a Parents' Choice Award, a Governor's First Grade Book Selection for the states of New Jersey and Arizona, a Barnes & Noble Author of the Month two years in a row, and a Grand Canyon Reader's Award winner and honors recipient, among others. A former educator, Jennifer now writes full time from her home in the Midwest. Learn more: www.jenniferwardbooks.com
| SKU | GOR002099277 |
| ISBN 13 | 9781860772795 |
| ISBN 10 | 186077279X |
| Title | Brentwood: A History |
| Author | Jennifer Ward |
| Condition | Very Good |
| Binding Type | Hardback |
| Publisher | The History Press Ltd |
| Year published | 2008-10-04 |
| Number of pages | 352 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | This is a used book - there is no escaping the fact it has been read by someone else and it will show signs of wear and previous use. Overall we expect it to be in very good condition, but if you are not entirely satisfied please get in touch with us |
