The Origins of Hertfordshire book launch 14 October 2010

At David’s Bookshop, Eastcheap, Letchworth Garden City, on Thursday, 14 October at 7:30 pm. Tom Williamson, Professor of Landscape History at the University of East Anglia, will introduce his new book, The Origins of Hertfordshire, which examines the history of Hertfordshire from late prehistoric times to the thirteenth century. It looks at the origins of the county and the early evolution of its landscape and, in examining the subtle and complex relationship between early territorial organisation and natural topography, emphasises the surprising degree of territorial and administrative continuity from the Roman period through to the time of the Norman Conquest. Hertfordshire is often described as an ‘unremarkable’ county, lacking a clearly defined identity and, lying close to London, extensively suburbanised. In fact it has a long and complex history and a rich archaeological heritage; developments in the remote past continue to shape its character and appearance to the present day.

The event is free but it is necessary to reserve a place in advance by calling the bookshop on 01462 684631.