Book of Winchester

The story of Winchester is both chequered and colourful - from its first unsteady beginnings as pre-Roman tribal centre and its rise as Anglo-Saxon capital - whose street plan survives even today - to its decimation by the Black Death and its subsequent rebirth. Following the Restoration, Charles II and his courtiers patronised the city, but the real revival came in the age of steam.The unprecedented degree of study by archaeologists and historians is throwing new light on the accepted history of Winchester. Here for the first time, and incorporating all the latest evidence, a new version of events is revealed. Dr James takes the reader on a journey through the turbulent evolution of this famous city, highlighting the secrets uncovered by archaeology, the social and economic framework of the city through the ages, the rise and fall of royal influence, the role of the Church in the city's development, and how the people of Winchester lived.Fully illustrated - often showing before-and-after views - and containing a walking tour of the city's best sites, this is the definitive guide to the story of Winchester and the people who played a part in it.