Story of Ross, The

Description

The Story of Ross is the history of a unique market town from the first hunter gatherers to the dawn of a new millennium. Ross emerged as a distinct settlement overlooking the River Wye after the Saxon invasions, evolving from the Iron Age hill fort on Chase Hill and the nearby Roman settlement of Ariconium. The story starts to deepen after the Norman Conquest, and a fascinating tale unravels.

The book has involved much original research, fleshing out the faint picture of Ross which had previously existed. The authors investigate the importance of the bishop’s manor and market grants; consider the layout of the medieval town and its shopkeepers; the markets and meeting places; Underhill and the Bell Forge; past industries and enterprises; the religious tensions in the Civil War; education and charity; the role of the Wye in trade and tourism and the advent of public services. The famed man of Ross, John Kyrle, takes his place alongside Walter Scott, Nathaniel Morgan, Wallace Hall and Thomas Blake as men who helped develop and improve the town, and space is also devoted to lesser known people and their contributions. The story is brought up to date with local government re-organisations, coupled with changes in health and education and the recent enhancement of the town centre and riverside.

This is a revised edition of the book first published by Logaston Press in 1999.

Paperback | 192 pages | 260 x 205 mm | 2009
170 b&w illustrations
ISBN 978-1-906663-25-4