The Local Historian Volume 10 Number 8 November 1973

By F.W. Brooks

A review of the way in which local history, as an academic discipline and as a subject of growing interest to a non-academic community, evolved and developed over the years from 1930 to 1948. Developments in local history, in which the author highlights some key changes including the development of local history as an academic discipline.

[Hide]

By Rodney H. Hilton

An assessment of the place of sociological context and analysis in the theory, practice and methodology of local history: Hilton contends that local history research is usually concerned with the social analysis of local communities, as well as concentrating on the period between the late Middle Ages and the late 19th century, spanning the major period when English society changed from being primarily agricultural and rural to being primarily urban and industrial. He suggests that much sociology-based research is available on the decline of peasant societies, and that greater awareness of this could inform and enhance the work of local historians. Other suggested avenues of exploration include the sociology of urban communities, as well as the role of art and literature in portraying social phenomena.

[Hide]

By Stephen Porter

Fire was an ever-present hazard in the pre-industrial town, mainly because of the preponderance of readily-combustible material used in building and roofing but also because of the often unplanned and tightly-packed nature of the urban fabric. Porter comments on the regularity with which towns suffered major fires in the 17th and 18th centuries, noting that although some major examples were caused by fighting or deliberate destruction during the Civil Wars, most were accidental. Rebuilding occurred rapidly, but the opportunity to replan street patterns or property boundaries was rarely taken. Nevertheless, architectural and structural improvements were made and some towns (such as Blandford Forum, Dorset) exemplify the way in which the townscape was transformed as a result.

[Hide]

By Margaret Spufford

Brief exposition of the 'total history' concept which involves researching and analysing every aspect of a village community in the past, using all possible primary sources to give the maximum amount of information which can then be correlated and cross-referenced. In this way, it is considered, the life of a community can be reconstructed (as far as source material is available) in all its aspects. The author suggests that, in general, more work is required on such aspects of the past as the daily round of rural life, rural nonconformity, and levels of literacy in rural areas.

[Hide]

By Elizabeth Cooper

Brief account of the background to the publishing of a local history in Harrow, Middlesex.

[Hide]

By Brian Howells

A review of developments in the study of local history in Wales, with consideration of the national and local organisations and societies, including those with a county-wide coverage, and their publishing activities.