Miscellaneous

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.

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.

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.

Arthur Rackham in East Anglia is the story of how the young illustrator developed his drawing skills working for Jarrold and Sons in the 1890s for their publication Sunrise-Land: Rambles in Eastern England. Later in life he would go on to national and international recognition as a book illustrator, but the story of one of his first assignments in East Anglia has not been told before.

The narrative by Alison Barnes is accompanied by her selection of 40 of his best illustrations, reproduced from early editions of Sunrise-Land. In addition she has tracked down his creative signature in the guest book of Horning Ferry and other local Jarrold titles where his work can be seen.

Arthur Ransome's East Anglia is available in a new edition, including colour photographs, of Roger Wardale's search for Coots, Swallows and Amazons in East Anglia. With Roger Wardale's expert eye, we visit the many sites on the Broads and the Essex backwaters where Arthur Ransome set his stories. Through Ransome's own photographs and new pictures from today's East Anglia, we can make the link with the author's own life story.

Fully illustrated with sixty-two pictures, seventeen of them in colour.

Aylsham in the 17th Century. The documentary records of the towns and villages of England are an invaluable source for historians. This book contains seventeenth century documents from the Manor of Aylsham Lancaster, with a full listing of the names of all the landholders.

An authoritative and detailed study of the birds found in the Sheringham area, including Weybourne, the Runtons and Felbrigg Great Wood, with illustrations by wildlife artist Bryan Bland.

Cromer Fire Brigade 1881 - 2006 tells the story of the brigade and its firefighters over 125 years. With a splendid set of pictures from the earliest years of organised fire-fighting, personal stories and dramatic events, there's something here for both the Cromer community and those with a more general interest in local history.

As the 19th century came to a close, local councils responded to the requirement to develop a range of municipal services, which included the operation of a fire brigade. This book covers the story of one particular brigade, from its formation with a horse-drawn, steam-powered appliance, through to its place today in the county fire service team.

The Castles of Suffolk takes us back to medieval times when the county had wealth, good employment prospects, high quality agricultural land, a sizeable population - and in he mind of the ruling class a need to control any trouble! It had been subject to invasion from Vikings and even the Norman rulers fell out amongst themselves, so defence and of course status were much on the minds of the ruling Barons.

Author Peter Tryon has delved deep into historic records, reviewed many existing published works and visited all the sites in the county reputed to be castles. From the glories of Framlingham and Orford through to the mysteries of the lost castle sites at Ipswich and Southwold, he has pulled together all the evidence in a book which will satisfy both readers at home and the explorers who want to visit the sites themselves.

The Commercial Life of a Suffolk Town focuses on the town of Framlingham around 1900. How did an East Anglian market town operate at that time? What trades where there in the town.? How did they work together? Who traded with whom?

Author John Bridges grew up in the town and goes beyond simply recalling the town at the beginning of the 20th century to examine, through period accounts of all the principal businesses, how a typical regional town conducted its business. With many contemporary photographs both from the town and from neighbouring communities, he creates a flavour of life before the First World War and has created a first class resource for those interested in East Anglian history. John Bridges introduces the book to you with a click.

The Diary of a poor Suffolk woodman is a special publication - because it features a poor man's diary. Few of William Scarfe's class in the early 1800s could write well enough to produce more than fifteen years of a journal of his life and village. Now, over 150 years later, we are able to share his world and enjoy the social history of the 1830s through his words.

Pip and Joy Wright and Léonie Robinson have transcribed the words that William Scarfe wrote in the margins of a prayer book he had been given by the local rector. To his words they have added pictures, contemporary accounts and careful explanations to provide a context. The book is a model for any local historian, and whether or not you ever visit the village of Thorpe Morieux in Suffolk, you will find in the pages the life of an East Anglian countryman of the early 19th century.

Former keeper of the East Anglian Film Archive David Cleveland recalls, with a wide selection of photos and stills from films, the story of film-making in Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire.

Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse - A history of the buildings and the people who lived and worked there. This new title, launched at the Norfolk History Fair on 29th May 2006 at Gressenhall, tells the story of the 'house of industry' and the workhouse from its establishment in 1774 to the present day, when it is now the Museum of Norfolk Life.

Author Stephen Pope both works at Gressenhall as Visitor Services Assistant and devotes much time to investigating the archives of the museum, knowledge which has been condensed into this book. It will be a major resource for teacher, researchers, specialists and family historians, whether they have a specific interest in Gressenhall or a wider interest in workhouses and social conditions in the 19th and early 20th century.

Medieval Flushwork of East Anglia is a book which will appeal to anyone with an interest in local history, church architecture and decoration - and will give inspiration to artists of the present day. That's just how textile artist Margaret Talbot became engrossed in the subject and set out researching the symbols on medieval churches that she was using for her work.

Many of the little known churches of Suffolk and Norfolk have wonderful flintstone images that decorate their walls, tower butresses and parapets. The study of this symbolism gives a facinating glimpse into life in the 15th century, including trades, guilds, merchant's marks, pilgrimages, heraldry and the cult of the saints.

Millgate is about that part of the Norfolk town of Aylsham which lies down by the river Bure. It was written by members of the Aylsham Local History Society as a result of the opportunity to study the Bishop papers, an extensive set of records of the district over the centuries.

The story of the mill itself from the time of the Domesday book, the public houses of the area, the gas works and the families who lived in Millgate are all part of the story. Chapters on the millers themselves, the Belt estate and the story of navigation on the river assist in building up a picture of a community over the centuries which will be of interest to local and family historians.

Following the success of our title The Norfolk Connection, and with many new names suggested by readers of the first title, broadcaster and columnist Keith Skipper contributes a further range of biographies from across the county.

Nelson - I am myself a Norfolk man was a special publication for the year which marked the bicentenary of Nelson's greatest victory at Trafalgar and his death in the battle. It is now the ideal publication for both the explorer of Norfolk who woud like to visit the many places associated with the national hero, and all those with a general interest in his life and times.

Author Charles Lewis concentrates specifically on his Norfolk life - as a child in Burnham, as a schoolboy in Norwich and North Walsham, his years as a captain waiting for a ship, and his time in Great Yarmouth - returning from the battle of the Nile and embarking for the battle of Copenhagen. In addition to the many links with the life of Nelson, you'll find a wide range of connections in the county which you can still visit - from the Horatia memorial at Trunch to the Invincible grave at Happisburgh. With 92 pictures, 50 of them in colour, this is a valuable addition to the range of Nelson titles.

Noriwch at Peace is the partner volume to the very popular Norwich at War, recording the development of the city between the two world wars. Joan Banger uses extracts from the local press from 1918 to 1939 to chart the growth of the city and the adventures of its people, and illustrates it with a selection of pictures from the time and contemporary colour photographs.

The period covered was one of great growth for Norwich, and the book gives a very good understanding of the layout of the city we know today, as well as covering many of the principle incidents in the years it covers.

'Turnip' Townshend - Statesman and Farmer is a biography of Charles, second Viscount Townshend. He spent nearly 20 years in public life, directing Britain's foreign policy. One of a select group of Norfolk men and women, his influence on both local and national change make him of interest to both East Anglian and a wider readership.