Since the early Middle Ages, the Royal and princely families of Europe have conferred a wide range of Orders of Knighthood and Chivalry both to reward loyal service to the Crown or Royal Family and to
This book charts the rise of the AA and reflects the interest in collecting its memorabilia in the form of badges, books, models and signs. It includes detailed information on the dating of car badges
The London and North Eastern Railway, or LNER as it was familiarly known, was one of the Big Four companies that took control of Britain's railway network following the "Grouping" in 1923. This networ
The wedding is a ceremony that is surrounded by tradition and folklore, but why do we do what we do, and what lies behind the customs of marriage? What color should a wedding dress be? What is the ori
The Victorians and Edwardians on the Move reveals how the Victorians and Edwardians moved around their towns, their cities and their country. From Shanks's pony to the dawn of the motor car, it explor
Mary Greensted tells the story of the birth and development of the Arts and Craft movement in Britain with the help of numerous illustrations showing the buildings, furniture, metalwork, and the peopl
After VE Day in 1945 the British population returned enthusiastically to the road. But the cost and availability of both vehicles and fuel led to the post-war scene being dominated by motorcycles, mos
Viking raids, and the subsequent Scandinavian settlements in the ninth and tenth centuries, had a major effect on many parts of Britain and Ireland. These impacts can best be seen in a wide variety of
William De Morgan designed and manufactured ceramics from 1870-1907, and lifelong friendships with William Morris and Edward Burne Jones placed him at the heart of the Arts and Crafts revolution. Afte
Tea and coffee cups have been made in Britain since the middle of the eighteenth century and can be found in a vast array of decorative designs, reflecting the changing fashions of society as well as
After the Second World War, the drive for the modernization of Britain's railways ushered in a new breed of locomotive: the Diesel. Diesel-powered trains had been around for some time, but faced with
In the 1950s and 1960s, luxury car buyers, from government ministers to captains of industry, almost invariably bought British. These were stately, dignified, and grand vehicles, with many featuring l
Brooklands, near Weybridge in Surrey, holds a unique and highly important place in the histories of both motoring and aviation. It was the first purpose-built motor racing track in Britain and the fi
With the end of the Second World War, it was not long before increasing wealth, cheaper cars, and social pressures made a family car the aspiration of thousands. Ford, Hillman, Standard, Morris and Va
The Egyptian pyramids are iconic images of ancient Egyptian civilisation and mythology. This book traces the early development of ancient pyramids and tombs, from the Mastaba burial tombs of the first
In 1938, Britain prepared for war, and to spread the word about what should be done in the event of attack, and to distribute the gas masks that would become universal, a body of men and women were ca
From the horse-drawn trams of the nineteenth century to the larger electric models of the early twentieth, this reliable form of public transport revolutionized town travel by making it affordable eno
Hollyhocks and cabbages, roses and runner beans: the English cottage garden combines beauty and utility, pride and productivity. Immortalized in images of thatched cottages with flower-filled borders
Monumental brasses became popular during the Middle Ages and were commonly mounted on the walls and floors of cathedrals to commemorate the great and wealthy. Often depicting knights and bishops, thes
Heavy horses played a pivotal role in the development of western economies, toiling in mines and quarries, factories and docks, alongside canals and railways and on farms. But, following the introduct
Mankind has been using wood since prehistoric times to build shelter, houses, containers, vehicles and implements and the tools and techniques used to shape and manipulate wood are thousands of years
An accessible and colorful illustrated narrative of the manufacturing and social history of a favorite British tipple.Uncovering the mysteries of gin manufacture and production, as well as its fascina
From the Middle Ages to the present day, parsonages - vicarages and rectories, and later manses, presbyteries and chapel houses - have been amongst the most significant dwellings in every kind of Brit
Green Men are faces sprouting foliage that are found in churches, abbeys and cathedrals. They were popular figures adorning church architecture and furnishings in the Middle Ages, and enjoyed a secon
There are few pieces of pottery more recognizable than those designed by Clarice Cliff. For many the epitome of Art Deco, and 1930s style, characterised by bold color and lines, geometric shapes, and
With the aid of stringy glue and scalpel-sliced fingers, young and old have turned display cabinets and bedrooms into mini-museums, or tiny battlefields. This book looks at the fascinating tale of thi
Felt is an amazing material, and its history, properties and uses are unparalleled among textiles. Although its origins are lost in prehistory, there is a clear record of its manufacture and use in Ro
Silk was first developed in ancient China as early as 2600 BC and over the centuries to follow it gradually spread first to South East Asia and then to the Middle East, North Africa and Europe along t
Coal heated the homes, fuelled the furnaces and powered the engines of the Industrial Revolution. In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries the coalfields – distinct landscapes of colliery winding fra
Old fashioned seaside holidays inspire a great deal of nostalgic affection among British people. Quintessential elements such as seaside donkeys and sickly sticks of rock are easily identifiable and
Rolls-Royce is one of Britain's legendary car brands, representing the pinnacle of engineering quality and luxury like no other manufacturer. Since 1904, when Charles Stewart Rolls and Frederick Henry
London's many cemeteries, churches and graveyards are the last resting places of a multitude of important people from many different walks of life. Politicians, writers and military heroes rub shoulde
Medieval fields have been studied by historians, historical geographers and archaeologists for well over a century, and yet very few accurate accounts are readily available. David Hall gives a detaile
The 1960s witnessed a sustained period of economic growth, consumer spending and stable employment. This hitherto unknown prosperity enabled a market growth in levels of owner occupation and a subsequ
Post-war public art encompasses a wide range of intriguing, curious and colourful artworks that can be seen in urban and rural locations throughout Britain. From traditional figurative sculptures to
The best testament to Britain's participation in Graceo-Roman civilisation is its 'hidden' monuments: hoards of household valuables or decorations and also rich hoards of gold, silver and bronze coins
Dinky Toys were introduced in 1931 as 'Modelled Miniatures', and these delightful diecast metal toys, which instantly became bestsellers, still give pleasure to both children and adults. More than 1,0
Built more than sixty years after the California Gold Rush that inspired massive migration to Northern California, and ten years after the devastating 1906 earthquake and fire in San Francisco, Filoli
