Publications & media
Books
Langley Burrell and Kellaways: a History, by Louise Ryland-Epton
Through riots and revelries, poverty and prosperity, the people of Langley Burrell and neighbouring Kellaways in north Wiltshire have adapted to centuries of change. In this thematic history of the parish, meet the scandalous 17th-century rector whose libertine sect shocked the neighbourhood and discover the truth about Maud Heath, whose 15th-century causeway still carries travellers today.
Enjoy anecdotes from Francis Kilvert's evocative Victorian diaries, learn how villagers responded to wartime from the English Civil War to the Second World War, and explore the economic transformation from medieval strip farming to modern settlement. From Bronze Age burial mounds to 21st-century housing developments, this is the story of an English parish and the generations who called it home.
Published in association with Langley Burrell Without Parish Council and the Victoria County History of Wiltshire as a VCH partnership publication. This is the third popular parish history by this author published as accompaniment to the academic history of the Chippenham area undertaken as part of the Victoria County History project.
Bremhill Parish through the Ages, the Heritage of a Wiltshire Community, by Louise Ryland-Epton
Bremhill is a large parish of scattered settlements in north Wiltshire lying between Chippenham and Calne. As a result of an innovative project involving a group of local residents working alongside professional historians researching the area for the Victoria County History, this collaborative community history of the parish was produced in 2021.
It formed part of a programme of events celebrating Bremhill's heritage, and was written in parallel with an academic history for inclusion in a forthcoming Victoria History volume. It subsequently won a national award as the best local history publication of the year, and is now reissued by Hobnob Press on behalf of Bremhill Parish History Group in paperback for the first time.
The book gives a vivid flavour of life in north Wiltshire from the earliest times to the present day. The stories of the places and people who have lived in this beautiful rural area are fascinating,and the excellent photographs and illustrations enhance and enliven the text. This innovative project has resulted in an accomplished and engaging history of a typical - and at the same time unique - Wiltshire parish.
A recent reviewer commented: “Parish histories are generally considered to be only of interest to local people. This one is different. It is fluently written and is well worth reading even if you have never heard of Bremhill. The book is to be particularly recommended as a model to other groups contemplating their own parish history project.”
The Kingtons: a history of the ancient parish of Kington St Michael with Kington Langley
This book presents a compelling narrative that weaves a thematic history, case studies, and in-depth examinations of village life in Kington St Michael and Kington Langley throughout the centuries.
Readers will find themselves immersed in the intricate details of these north Wiltshire communities, gaining insights into the lives of the villagers, their livelihoods, social interactions, and religious practices, alongside some of the most critical events and histories of significant buildings.
The text is enlivened with over 100 illustrations from four centuries to the present day, including many previously unpublished 17th-century sketches and paintings by John Aubrey. It has been researched and produced in parallel with the Chippenham volume of the Victoria County History of Wiltshire and is published in association with the Victoria County History of England and Kington St Michael Parish Council. Although of particular interest to local people, with its comprehensive approach and stories of named village people from the 12th to the 20th century at its heart, this book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the history of rural communities, social history, and the evolution of village life.
Research
Who was Maud Heath and What was her Gift?
by Louise Ryland-Epton and John Chandler
This article explores the origins and context of the gift made by Maud Heath in 1474, seemingly for the creation of a causeway between Bremhill Wick and Chippenham Clift in north Wiltshire. The authors examine Maud Heath’s identity, revealing her likely connection to three Bristol mercantile families with links to the Chippenham area. The study challenges local myths about Maud Heath’s motivations, arguing that her gift was not to create a new road, but intended to maintain an existing route across the Avon Valley floodplain, potentially facilitating trade between Bristol and London.
Murder by Witchcraft
In 1564 baby William Bayntun was allegedly murdered by witchcraft. In the following three legal cases, three women were implicated in the murder plot a local widow, the child’s aunt and his mother, a cousin to Queen Elizabeth I. The three women were implicated by a fourth, a witchfinder. The cases led to the imprisonment and possible torture of the witchfinder, the ruining of the child’s aunt, and the trial and execution of the widow at Salisbury, possibly the first person in England executed for the crime of witchcraft. Despite the charge of witchcraft, the events were probably motivated by toxic familial relationships and influenced by the Bishop of Salisbury.
Parliament and the English County Magistrate: The Parliamentary Aspirations of Sir George Onesiphorus Paul 1780–1810
County magistrates in Georgian England enjoyed an enviable amount of power. However, their influence was not restricted to the sphere of their county. Instead, Westminster's dependence upon them for the operation of local government, to conduct judicial practise and help create domestic policy, meant that, for good or ill, they potentially had a pivotal role within the workings of the English state and formed a critical link between parliament and government and the English localities.
‘The Source of All Local Authority': The Role of Gloucestershire Magistrates in Local Government 1800-1834
This article examines the impact of magistrates on one of the most critical areas of local government, the English welfare system. It does this by employing a micro-political survey of Gloucestershire parishes who implemented one specific welfare reform, Gilbert’s Act 1782
The Impact of Back Benchers in the Creation of Social Reform: The Indefatigable and Honourable Exertions of Mr Gilbert
During the 18th century, back‐bench members of parliament played a critical role in creating social policy. This article provides a case study of the political campaigns of the Lichfield MP, Thomas Gilbert, and his attempts at a comprehensive reform of the poor law in 1765 and 1782.
Articles
Centuries-old mystery around woman solved
The mystery surrounding the identity of a 15th century woman and the legacy she left behind has been solved, researchers say.