Latest Publications

The most readable and up to date story of what we really know of Celtic heroine Boudica. After the death of her husband Prasutagus she would lead a revolt against the invaders that shook the Roman Empire to its core. Colchester, London and St Albans all fell to the Icenian warriors before a final confrontation in the English Midlands restored Roman power.

Myth, invention and mystery surround her life. This fully illustrated book concentrates on just what we do know about the time in which she lived - and how modern archaeology is enabling us to take a considered view of the facts and strip away a little of the fiction that has grown over the years. It will stand as a popular introduction to a lady of great power and influence, much of it beyond her own time, and it looks with enthusiasm towards what archaeology might hope to discover in the future. You can click John Davies and Bruce Robinson to hear the authors introduce the book.

In this DVD the village of Overstrand on the north east Norfolk coast tells its own story through the words of residents, a reconstruction of the village in 1838, expert comment and visits to some of the locations and buildings of the village. A traditional fishing and agricultural village until the end of the 19th century, the coming of the railway and many of the contemprary glitterati of London would bring about many changes. Former Anglia Television presenter and local resident Eddie Anderson links the story together.

The Paston family, perhaps best known through The Paston Letters were influential in their ownership of land in the county of Norfolk from the 14th to the 17th centuries. Author Lucy Care, herself a resident of the village of Paston, has written a fascinating introduction to the history of the family and combined it with walks and information on the places that can be visited today, to understand the family's heritage.

A great new book about the seamen who are such a part of Norfolk's story. Nelson was the inspiration for the book, though he isn't featured in it - that's a separate Poppyland title. But there are twenty-six chapters from Admiral Christopher Myngs to today's Commodore Steve Burgoine, recalling the enormously rich story of Norfolk and the sea.

Andrew Lambert, Professor of Naval History says of the book, "Even in this most maritime of nations there is something special about Norfolk. A county bordered by the sea to the north, west and east, the coastline stretches from King's Lynn ... to Great Yarmouth..... Mark Nicholls has brought these men back to life." Click Mark Nicholls to hear the author introduce the book.

History and nostalgia, there's an hour and twenty minutes of reminiscences of Wymondham and district on this DVD. Eleven local residents who grew up in the town recall the years of the Second World War, farming and half a century of changes, schooldays, horse, churches, chapels and trade in town - and lots more.

Wymondham - Born and Bred is the personal recollections of a number of townsfolk. The DVD, divided into 10 chapters, is a selection from nearly 15 hours of recordings. Whether you've lived all yor life in Wymondham, grew up there and have 'emigrated' or have a more general interest in East Anglia's history, we hope you'll enjoy this DVD.

Roads and Tracks is a new and greatly expanded edition of a title first published in the Norfolk Origins series in 1983. Much has moved on since then - not least the amount of dual carriageway the county now has. But research and archaeology have moved on as well, with new finds and reinterpretations of what has already been discovered. With a click on his name, author Bruce Robinson introduces the book

The book looks at the development of transport by foot, horse, cariage and car across the centuries, investigates the origins of ancient highways and by-ways from Iron Age and Roman times and concludes with the arrival of the car and developments into the 21st century.

When Lord Kitchener famously said, at the beginning of the First World War, "Yours Country Needs You", the young people of Britain responded with alacrity, little knowing what lay before them. Most were straightforward, determined, adventurous, dutiful, with worried and caring friends, brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers.

The young Norfolk soldier, nicknamed Pudlo, featured in this book joined up with his comrades. Throughout his training, his journey to the Front and his time in the line and a long stay in hospital after being injured in the Battle of the Somme he maintains correspondence with home. He deals with the mundane and maintains a humanity not all could cope with. And after the conflict he said nothing to the next generation until his letters were found in a family suitcase ...... Click on Theo Stibbons for an introduction from the compiler and editor of the letters.

William Winstanley (1628-1698) was an East Anglian, a farmer, journalist and historian - and most of all a man who would not submit to the strictures of the Puritan regime of Oliver Cromwell. His family kept their traditional Christmas and his writings on Yuletide and its customs did more than anything else to revive interest in those customs after the Restoration. Author Alison Barnes illustrates how William Winstanley is the man responsible for the way we celebrate Christmas today.

International wildlife film-maker Mike Linley presents three wonderful DVDs about the region and its natural history. Field and Woodland takes us to the reserves and the open spaces of the counties of the region to meet an amazing wealth of bird and animal life.

Travel through the highways and byways of the region, the beaches and the waterways, and enjoy the wildlife in the company of a master film-maker. A click on Mike Linley will let you hear him tell you something about all three discs in the series.