The Amateur Historian Volume 7 Number 4 November 1966

By Munby, Lionel M.

pp 102-108

A detailed assessment of the responses which had been received from readers, following an appeal for comment on The Amateur Historian (about to be renamed The Local Historian). Although much of the content is necessarily topical for 1967, there is much general discussion of points which remain the subject of debate over thirty years later: the roles of the amateur and the professional; the educational dimension to local history; the relevance of the experience of local history in other countries; the alleged English bias in the journal; the relationship between local history and family history; whether to emphasise techniques, or sources, or case-studies, in the journal; and the role of reviews, news items and other 'non-article' material.

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By Little, Reginald H.

pp 112-118

A case-study of the military history of the parish of Sopley, Hampshire. Initial research, which involved investigating various monuments and tombs in the parish church, revealed several references to military careers of local people, including those of high-ranking officers in the army and navy. The author was able to trace the careers of some of these men using regimental and other military records, newspaper articles, army lists and searches for portraits.

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By Roberts, Brian K.

pp 119-126

A study of medieval fishponds, based on the results of fieldwork carried out in the Forest of Arden, Warwickshire. Fishponds were usually created by the damming of small valleys, although they are occasionally bounded by ditches. The article includes reference to specific examples which illustrate locational and construction details. Records show clearly the intensive management of fishponds in the medieval period, as well as the range and numbers of fish stocked, and it is apparent that these could be large-scale commercial undertakings with sophisticated management systems. The area studied was very well-provided with fishponds, which were managed by manorial officials, and many were for commercial rather than simply domestic production.

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By Thompson, James

pp 126-132

Discussion of the methods and techniques of domestic building construction, in the context of studies on the vernacular architecture of localities or districts. The author recommends a systematic approach using the existing building or buildings as the obvious main source of information. These should be investigated closely looking for a variety of types of information: i) study of plans and plan types; ii) evidence of structural detail, which should be cross-referenced with any available older documentary sources such as probate inventories; iii) roofing materials, including thatch, slate and tile; iv) timber frames offer many clues to construction techniques; v) regional variations in techniques and materials should be noted and investigated; vi) the process of building development is important, with consideration of the changing relationship between rooms and their functions; vii) note the move away from the vernacular traditions as new architectural motifs and fashions arrived and as different building material became available; viii) consider the large - but often forgotten - category of peasant dwellings; look for specific dating evidence using details of windows (such as glazing, timber mouldings and chamfers); and ix) similarly, look for evidence from styles and designs of chimneys.