The Common Stream by Rowland Parker - 1975

Collins, London, 1975. First Edition. Hardcover (Original Cloth). Near Fine Condition/Near Fine. Green endpapers with b/w. map of area; This is the story of an English village - or perhaps more of the English village - for though the setting is Foxton, in Cambridgeshire, built around its now almost vanished stream, the essential facts are true of a myriad of such places all over England. For thirteen years Rowland Parker has devoted himself single-mindedly to discovering what went on in Foxton, from the first traces of human settlement two thousand years ago to the present day. By archaeological excavation, from early histories, from oral tradition, by long laborious research among the manor court rolls, the land tax returns, the wills, the terriers, the bishops' registers, he has built up a staggeringly complete picture of the village and those who lived in it. It is probably true to say that he has found out more about the history of Foxton than is known about any other village of comparable age in England, perhaps even in the world. And from this mass of material he has conjured - life. For THE COMMON STREAM makes real the human beings who have lived in Foxton since man first left traces there. It tells how they lived, what they ate and wore, the games they played, the hardships they endured. It is a story of continuity - for the human stream goes on for ever; and yet of change - for it is hard indeed to see in the life of Foxton today many features in common with that even of one hundred years ago. It is the story of the English people; scholarly, authoritative, yet told with a humanity and understanding which bridges the centuries and makes the past come miraculously alive. Size: Octavo (standard book size). 283 pages. Binding is tight, covers and spine fully intact. the (now protected) Dust Jacket has very light wear to edges but is otherwise complete and overall sound.. Price clipped inside book. Previous owner's name & address ink-stamped to pre-title page. Gilt titles spine. Green cloth; illustrated by b/w. drawings & maps.. Includes glossary, bibliography & index. Quantity Available: 1. Shipped Weight: Under 1 kilogram. Category: History; Farming & Rural Life; Foxton, Cambridgeshire; East Anglia; England; Genealogy & Local History. ISBN: 0002161133. ISBN/EAN: 9780002161138. Pictures of this item not already displayed here available upon request. Inventory No: 2545. . 9780002161138