English county histories, in other words historical and topographical (or " chorographical") works concerned with individual ancient counties of England, were produced by

antiquarian An antiquarian or antiquary () is an fan (person), aficionado or student of antiquities or things of the past. More specifically, the term is used for those who study history with particular attention to ancient artifact (archaeology), artifac ...

s from the late 16th century onwards. The content was variable: most focused on recording the ownership of estates and the descent of lordships of manors, thus the genealogies of county families, heraldry and other antiquarian material. In the introduction to one typical early work of this style, ''The Antiquities of Warwickshire'' published in 1656, the author

William Dugdale Sir William Dugdale (12 September 1605 – 10 February 1686) was an English antiquary and herald. As a scholar he was influential in the development of medieval history as an academic subject. Life Dugdale was born at Shustoke, near Coleshi ...

writes: Thus his work was designed primarily to be read by his fellow county gentry of Warwickshire, whose public lives and marriages were largely confined within their own county of residence, which they administered as Justices of the Peace and Sheriffs, and represented in Parliament. The genealogical and heraldic tradition continues with the series of

Victoria County Histories The Victoria History of the Counties of England, commonly known as the Victoria County History or the VCH, is an English history project which began in 1899 with the aim of creating an encyclopaedic history of each of the historic counties of En ...

commenced in the late 19th century. Other forms recorded

archaeological site An archaeological site is a place (or group of physical sites) in which evidence of past activity is preserved (either prehistoric or historic or contemporary), and which has been, or may be, investigated using the discipline of archaeology an ...

s. A closely related genre, which emerged in the second half of the 17th century, was the county "Natural History", which focused on the county's flora, fauna and natural phenomena, but which also often included chapters on antiquities. The best known examples were

Robert Plot Robert Plot (13 December 1640 – 30 April 1696) was an English naturalist, first Professor of Chemistry at the University of Oxford, and the first keeper of the Ashmolean Museum. Early life and education Born in Borden, Kent to parents Robe ...

's two volumes on Oxfordshire (1677) and Staffordshire (1686); and

John Aubrey John Aubrey (12 March 1626 – 7 June 1697) was an English antiquary, natural philosopher and writer. He is perhaps best known as the author of the ''Brief Lives'', his collection of short biographical pieces. He was a pioneer archaeologist, ...

's unpublished work on Wiltshire.

Development

Continental models

Dugdale quotes as his foreign models César de Nostredame (1553-1629), historian of

Provence Provence (, , , , ; oc, Provença or ''Prouvènço'' , ) is a geographical region and historical province of southeastern France, which extends from the left bank of the lower Rhône to the west to the Italian border to the east; it is bor ...

in France, author of ''Rerum antiquarum et nobiliorum Provinciae'', written c.1560, published 1615; Ottavio Rossi, historian of

Brescia Brescia (, locally ; lmo, link=no, label= Lombard, Brèsa ; lat, Brixia; vec, Bressa) is a city and ''comune'' in the region of Lombardy, Northern Italy. It is situated at the foot of the Alps, a few kilometers from the lakes Garda and Iseo. ...

in Italy, author of ''Memorie Bresciane, Opera Historica, E Simbolica'' (1626); Guillaume Catel (1560-1626), historian of

Languedoc The Province of Languedoc (; , ; oc, Lengadòc ) is a former province of France. Most of its territory is now contained in the modern-day region of Occitanie in Southern France. Its capital city was Toulouse. It had an area of approximately ...

in France, author of ''Mémoires sur l'histoire du Languedoc'' (1633);

Samuel Guichenon Samuel Guichenon (18 August 1607, Mâcon - 8 September 1664) was a French lawyer, historian and genealogist. Life He was one of three sons born to Grégoire Guichenon and Claudine Chaussat, a Calvinist family originating in Châtillon-les-Dombes ...

(1607-1664), historian of Bresse in France, author of ''Histoire de la

Bresse Bresse () is a former French province. It is located in the regions of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Bourgogne-Franche-Comté of eastern France. The geographical term ''Bresse'' has two meanings: ''Bresse bourguignonne'' (or ''louhannaise''), whic ...

et du

Bugey The Bugey (, ; Arpitan: ''Bugê'') is a historical region in the department of Ain, eastern France, located between Lyon and Geneva. It is located in a loop of the Rhône River in the southeast of the department. It includes the foothills of the ...

'' (1650) and

Antonius Sanderus Antonius Sanderus ( Antwerp, 15 September 1586 – Affligem, 10 January 1664) was a Flemish Catholic cleric and historian. Biography Sanderus was born "Antoon Sanders", but like all writers and scholars of his time he Latinized his name. Having ...

(1586-1664), historian of Flanders, author of ''Flandria Illustrata'' (1641).

English pioneers

William Lambarde William Lambarde (18 October 1536 – 19 August 1601) was an English antiquarian, writer on legal subjects, and politician. He is particularly remembered as the author of ''A Perambulation of Kent'' (1576), the first English county history; ''E ...

's ''Perambulation of

Kent Kent is a county in South East England and one of the home counties. It borders Greater London to the north-west, Surrey to the west and East Sussex to the south-west, and Essex to the north across the estuary of the River Thames; it faces ...

'' (completed 1570; published 1576) is generally acknowledged as the first example of the genre in England. It was followed by Richard Carew's ''Survey of Cornwall'' (1602), and William Burton's ''Description of Leicester Shire'' (1622), as well as a number of other projects (such as those of

Sir William Pole Sir William Pole (1561–1635) of Colcombe House in the parish of Colyton, and formerly of Shute House in the parish of Shute (adjoining Colcombe), both in Devon, was an English country gentleman and landowner, a colonial investor, Member ...

Thomas Westcote Thomas Westcote (c. 1567 – c. 1637) (''alias'' Westcott) of Raddon in the parish of Shobrooke in Devon, was an English historian and topographer of Devon. Biography He was baptised at Shobrooke in Devon on 17 June 1567. He was the third son of ...

, and

Tristram Risdon Tristram Risdon (c. 1580 – 1640) was an English antiquarian and topographer, and the author of ''Survey of the County of Devon''. He was able to devote most of his life to writing this work. After he completed it in about 1632 it circulated ar ...

in Devon, and

Sampson Erdeswicke Sampson Erdeswicke (born c. 1535x1540; died 1603) was an English antiquary and chorographer. Background Sampson's father, Hugh Erdeswicke claimed descent from Richard de Vernon, Baron of Shipbrook in the reign of William the Conqueror. The fami ...

in Staffordshire) which, although they sometimes circulated in manuscript, did not come to completion or publication. Following the appearance of

's ''Antiquities of Warwickshire'' (1656), a pattern was set. In the nineteenth century

John Bowyer Nichols John Bowyer Nichols (1779–1863) was an English printer and antiquary. Life The eldest son of John Nichols, by his second wife, Martha Green (1756–1788), he was born at Red Lion Passage, Fleet Street, London, on 15 July 1779. He spent his ...

followed the line of a history of

Leicestershire Leicestershire ( ; postal abbreviation Leics.) is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East Midlands, England. The county borders Nottinghamshire to the north, Lincolnshire to the north-east, Rutland to the east, Northamptonshire t ...

compiled by his father John Nichols, and saw numerous counties histories through the press at his printing firm. The scope of county histories varied, but the titles became quite standard: "Antiquities of", "Worthies of", "Geological survey", "Description of", later "Directory of", all could indicate the intention of producing a "history", a term that only in later times acquired the narrower meaning it carries today.

Chorography Chorography (from χῶρος ''khōros'', "place" and γράφειν ''graphein'', "to write") is the art of describing or mapping a region or district, and by extension such a description or map. This term derives from the writings of the anc ...

topography Topography is the study of the forms and features of land surfaces. The topography of an area may refer to the land forms and features themselves, or a description or depiction in maps. Topography is a field of geoscience and planetary sci ...

and

toponymy Toponymy, toponymics, or toponomastics is the study of ''toponyms'' (proper names of places, also known as place names and geographic names), including their origins, meanings, usage and types. Toponym is the general term for a proper name of ...

might all be involved. Materials and collections for their counties were made by antiquaries, but publication might await sponsorship or enough subscriptions, as well as a capable author who would make a readable book, perhaps of multiple volumes, from notes.

Listing by county

Bedfordshire

See:

History of Bedfordshire Bedfordshire is an English ceremonial county which lies between approximately 25 miles and 55 miles (or approximately 40 and 90 kilometres) north of central London. Anglo-Saxon Bedfordshire Early 5th century Saxon burial sites have been disco ...

; : History of Bedfordshire; *''

Magna Britannia ''Magna Britannia, being a concise topographical account of the several counties of Great Britain'' was a topographical and historical survey published by the antiquarians Daniel Lysons and his brother Samuel Lysons in several volumes between 18 ...

'' (1806)
''Victoria County History''
three volumes, 1904–1912

Berkshire

Elias Ashmole Elias Ashmole (; 23 May 1617 – 18 May 1692) was an English antiquary, politician, officer of arms, astrologer and student of alchemy. Ashmole supported the royalist side during the English Civil War, and at the restoration of Charles II he ...

, ''Antiquities of Berkshire'' (1719) * J. Rocque, ''A Topographical Survey of the County of Berkshire'', 1761

Buckinghamshire

See:

History of Buckinghamshire Although the name Buckinghamshire is Anglo Saxon in origin meaning ''The district (scire) of Bucca's home'' (referring to Buckingham in the north of the county) the name has only been recorded since about the 12th century. The historic county its ...

; : History of Buckinghamshire; ''Victoria County History'' edited by William Page *

George Lipscomb George Lipscomb (1773–1846) was an English physician and antiquarian, known particularly for his county history of Buckinghamshire. Life Born on 4 January 1773 at Quainton, Buckinghamshire, he was the son of James Lipscomb, surgeon R.N., by ...

, ''The History and Antiquities of the County of Buckingham'' published in eight parts, 1831–4

* James Joseph Sheahan, ''History and Topography of Buckinghamshire: comprising a general survey of the county, preceded by an epitome of the early history of Great Britain'' (1862)

Cambridgeshire

* Edmund Carter, ''History of the County of Cambridge'' (1753)

Cheshire

Sir Peter Leycester, 1st Baronet Sir Peter Leycester, 1st Baronet (also known as Sir Peter Leicester) (3 March 1614 – 11 October 1678) was an English antiquarian and historian. He was involved in the English Civil War on the royalist side and was subsequently made a baronet. ...

, ''Historical antiquities'' (1673) *

Peter Perez Burdett Peter Perez Burdett (c. 1734 – 9 September 1793) was an 18th-century cartographer, surveyor, artist, and draughtsman originally from Eastwood in Essex where he inherited a small estate and chose the name ''Perez'' from the birth surname of ...

, ''Survey of the County Palatine of Chester'' (1772) *

George Ormerod George Ormerod (20 October 1785 – 9 October 1873) was an English antiquary and historian. Among his writings was a major county history of Cheshire, in North West England. Biography George Ormerod was born in Manchester and educated first ...

, ''The History of the County Palatine and City of Chester'' (1816–19)

Cornwall

* Richard Carew, ''The Survey of Cornwall'' (1602) *

William Hals William Hals (1655–1737) was a British historian who compiled a ''History of Cornwall'', the first work of any magnitude that was printed in Cornwall. He was born at Tresawsan, in the parish of Merther in Cornwall. Much of his work was never publ ...

, ''Compleat History of Cornwall'', from about 1750 *An historical survey of the county of Cornwall, etc., compiled by William Penaluna *

Richard Polwhele Richard Polwhele (6 January 1760 – 12 March 1838) was a Cornish people, Cornish clergyman, poetry, poet and historian of Cornwall and Devon. Biography Richard Polwhele's ancestors long held the manor of Treworgan, 4 3/4 miles south-east of ...

, ''The History of Cornwall'' (7 vols. 1803–08, revised 1816) * Daniel Lysons and

Samuel Lysons Samuel Lysons (1763 – June 1819) was an English antiquarian and engraver who, together with his elder brother Daniel Lysons (1762–1834), published several works on antiquarian topics. He was one of the first archaeologists to investigate ...

, ''

'' The Cornwall history was supported by Francis Vyvyan Jago Arundell. *

Charles Sandoe Gilbert Charles Sandoe Gilbert (1760–1831) was a Cornish druggist and historian of Cornwall. Life The son of Thomas Gilbert, Charles was born in the parish of Kenwyn, near Truro, in 1760. In conjunction with a Mr. Powell he became an itinerant vendor o ...

, ''Historical Survey of the County of Cornwall'' (2 vols., 1817–20) *

Fortescue Hitchins Malachy Hitchins (1741–1809) was an English astronomer and cleric. Life The son of Thomas Hitchins, he was born at Little Trevince, Gwennap, Cornwall, and was baptised on 18 May 1741; Thomas Martyn, compiler of a map of Cornwall, was an uncle, ...

and

Samuel Drew Samuel Drew (6 March 1765 – 29 March 1833) was a British Methodist theologian. A native of Cornwall, England, he was nicknamed the "Cornish metaphysician" for his works on the human soul, the nature of God, and the deity of Christ. He also wro ...

, ''The History of Cornwall'' (1824)

Cumberland and Westmorland

Richard Burn Richard Burn (1709 – 12 November 1785) was an English legal writer. Education and career Burn was born in Winton, Kirkby Stephen, Westmorland. He matriculated at The Queen's College, Oxford in 1729. He was not awarded his B.A. until 1735, t ...

and Joseph Nicolson, ''The History and Antiquities of the Counties of Westmorland and Cumberland'', 1777. This goes back to the manuscript ''Accompt of the most considerable estates and families in the county of Cumberland'' of about 1603 by John Denton. Through copies made by Daniel Fleming, it used material collected by Christopher Rawlinson. Joseph Nicolson (born 1706, baptised William – 1777), son of John Nicolson of Hawkesdale, was a nephew of Bishop

William Nicolson William Nicolson (1655–1727) was an English churchman, linguist and antiquarian. As a bishop he played a significant part in the House of Lords during the reign of Queen Anne, and left a diary that is an important source for the politics of ...

, and inherited from him collections relating to Carlisle. Burn and Nicolson used in particular material collected by Thomas Machell, vicar of

Kirkby Thore Kirkby Thore is a small village and civil parish in Cumbria, England (), in the historic county of Westmorland. It is close to the Lake District national park and the Cumbrian Pennines. It includes the areas of Bridge End, in the southwest by t ...

, and collated by William Nicolson. * William Hutchinson, ''History of the County of Cumberland'' (1794).

Derbyshire

* Stephen Glover, ''Directory of the County of Derby'' (1827–29); and ''History of the County of Derby'' (1829–31) Glover made use of, and expanded, an unpublished history by William Woolley. *Samuel Bagshaw, ''History, Gazetteer and Directory of Derbyshire'' (1846) *

White White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no hue). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully reflect and scatter all the visible wavelengths of light. White on ...

, ''History, Gazetteer and Directory of the County of Derby'' (1857)

Devon

*Sir

William Pole William Pole FRS FRSE MICE (22 April 181430 December 1900) was an English engineer, astronomer, musician and an authority on Whist. Life He was born in Birmingham on 22 April 1814, the son of Thomas Pole. Pole was apprenticed as an engineer t ...

(d.1635), ''Collections Towards a Description of the County of Devon'', notes made (''c''.1608–1617), published by Sir John-William de la Pole (ed.), London, 1791 *

, ''Survey of Devon'' of 1630 *

, ''Chorographical Description or Survey of the County of Devon'' (c. 1632) *

, ''The History of Devonshire'' (1793–1806)

John Swete Rev. John Swete (born John Tripe) (baptised 13 August 1752 – 25 October 1821) of Oxton House, Kenton in Devon, was a clergyman, landowner, artist, antiquary, historian and topographer and author of the ''Picturesque Sketches of Devon'' consi ...

supplied material to Polwhele. * William White, ''History, Gazetteer and Directory of the County of Devon: including the city of Exeter, and comprising a general survey of the county''

Dorset

* John Hutchins, ''History and Antiquities of Dorset'' (1774) *John Hutchins, ''The History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset'', Vols. 1–4, 1815.

Durham

* William Hutchinson, ''History and Antiquities of the Country Palatine of Durham'' * Robert Surtees, ''The History and Antiquities of the County Palatine of Durham'' Both Hutchinson and Surtees drew on the work of George Allan. John Brewster assisted Surtees. *

James Raine James Raine (1791–1858) was an English antiquarian and topographer. A Church of England clergyman from the 1810s, he held a variety of positions, including librarian to the dean and chapter of Durham and rector of Meldon in Northumberlan ...

, ''The History and Antiquities of North-Durham'', 1852 *William Fordyce, ''The History and Antiquities of the County Palatine of Durham'' *Whellan, ''History, Topography, and Directory of the County Palatine of Durham'' (1856)

Essex

Philip Morant Philip Morant (6 October 1700 – 25 November 1770) was an English clergyman, author and historian. Education He was educated at John Roysse's Free School in Abingdon (now Abingdon School) and Pembroke College, Oxford, eventually taking his m ...

, ''The History and Antiquities of the County of Essex'', two volumes 1763–1768 Morant used collections of Thomas Jekyll; and also material from Richard Symonds he obtained via

Gregory King Gregory King (15 December 1648 – 29 August 1712) was an English genealogist, engraver and statistician. Life Gregory King was born at Lichfield, England. His father was a surveyor and landscape gardener. Gregory was a very bright boy and his ...

. A major source was the parish descriptions of

William Holman William Arthur Holman (4 August 1871 – 5 June 1934) was an Australian politician who served as Premier of New South Wales from 1913 to 1920. He came to office as the leader of the Australian Labor Party (New South Wales Branch), Labor Party, ...

. These had been acquired by Nicholas Tindal, for whom Morant worked as a curate; Tindal made a small start on publishing Essex history, around 1732. They then passed via Nathaniel Salmon, Anthony Allen and John Booth, before Morant had them from Booth about 1750. *''A New and Complete History of Essex, from a late survey'' (1772) * Elizabeth Ogborne, ''The History of Essex'' (1817, one volume only) Thomas Leman and probably Joseph Strutt assisted. *William White, ''History, Gazetteer and Directory of the County of Essex'', 1848

Gloucestershire

* Sir Robert Atkyns, ''The Ancient and Present State of Glostershire'' (1712) *

Samuel Rudder Samuel Rudder (c. 1726 – 15 March 1801)Nicholas Herbert, ‘Rudder, Samuel (bap. 1726, d. 1801)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004; online edn, Jan 200accessed 7 Jan 2012/ref> was a Gloucestershire topograp ...

, ''A New History of Gloucestershire'' (1779) Rudder's work was based on Atkyns and a manuscript of

Richard Furney Richard Furney (1694-1753) was an Anglican priest and antiquary. Life Furney was born in Gloucester and was educated at Oriel College, Oxford, graduating B.A. in 1715 and M.A. He was ordained in 1718 and became curate at St Michael, Gloucester ...

. *

Ralph Bigland Ralph Bigland (29 January 1712 – 27 March 1784) was an English officer of arms, antiquarian and cheesemaker. He was born at Stepney, Middlesex, and was the only son of Richard Bigland and his wife, Mary. His father was a native of Westmorland, ...

, ''Historical, Monumental & Genealogical Collections relative to the County of Gloucester'' (1791–94) *

Thomas Rudge Thomas Rudge (baptised 1753 – 1825) was an English churchman, topographer and antiquarian, Archdeacon of Gloucester from 1814, and chancellor of the diocese of Hereford from 1817. Life The son of Thomas Rudge of Gloucester, Thomas Rudge the you ...

, ''The History of the County of Gloucester, compressed and brought down to the year 1803'' (1803) *

Thomas Dudley Fosbroke Thomas Dudley Fosbroke (sometime Fosbrooke) FSA (27 May 17701 January 1842) was an English clergyman and antiquary. He was curate of Horsley, Gloucestershire, until 1810 and then of Walford in Herefordshire. He wrote ''British Monachism'' (2 vol ...

, ''Abstracts of Records and Manuscripts Respecting the County of Gloucester'' (1807) *'' Gloucestershire Victoria County History''

Hampshire

William Bingley William Bingley (January 1774 – 11 March 1823) was an English cleric, naturalist and writer. Life Bingley was born at Doncaster, and left an orphan at an early age. In 1795 he entered Peterhouse, Cambridge, and took the degree of B.A. in 1799, a ...

, ''The Topographical Account of the Hundred of Bosmere'' (fragment) 1817 *William White, ''History, gazetteer and directory of the County of Hampshire'' (1859; 2nd edition 1878)

Herefordshire

John Duncumb John Duncumb (1765 – 19 September 1839) (occasionally spelled Duncomb) was an English clergyman and antiquary. He is best known as the author of an unfinished county history of Herefordshire (published 1804–12). Life Duncumb was the secon ...

, partial work (1804–12) continued by others. Duncumb used work by

Richard Blyke Richard Blyke (died 1775) was an English official and antiquary. Life The son of Theophilus Blyke, deputy secretary-at-war, he was a native of Hereford. He became deputy-auditor of the office of the Imprest; and was a Fellow of the Royal Society ...

; and an older manuscript by

Silas Taylor Silas Taylor (16 July 1624–4 November 1678) was an English army officer of the Parliamentarian forces, known also as an antiquary and musical composer. Life The son of Silvanus Taylor, a parliamentary committee-man for Herefordshire and support ...

(Domville).

Hertfordshire

See:

History of Hertfordshire Hertfordshire is an English county, founded in the Norse–Saxon wars of the 9th century, and developed through commerce serving London. It is a land-locked county that was several times the seat of Parliament. From origins in brewing and pap ...

; :History of Hertfordshire
''Victoria County History''
*

John Norden John Norden (1625) was an English cartographer, chorographer and antiquary. He planned (but did not complete) a series of county maps and accompanying county histories of England, the '' Speculum Britanniae''. He was also a prolific writer ...

, ''Speculi Britaniae Pars: the Description of Hartfordshire'' (1598) *

Henry Chauncy Sir Henry Chauncy (12 April 1632 – April 1719) was an English lawyer, topographer and antiquarian. He is best known for his county history of Hertfordshire, published in 1700. Life He was born in Ardeley (then known as Yardley), Hertfordshi ...

, ''Antiquities of Hertfordshire'' (1700) * Nathaniel Salmon, ''History of Hertfordshire'' (1728) Salmon drew on unpublished material of Chauncy. *

Robert Clutterbuck Robert Clutterbuck (28 June 1772 – 25 May 1831) was an English historian. He spent 18 years writing ''The History and Antiquities of the County of Hertford''. Life He was the eldest surviving son of Thomas Clutterbuck, of Watford Hertfordshir ...

, ''The History and Antiquities of the County of Hertford'' (1815–27) Clutterbuck used collections of

Thomas Blore Thomas Blore (1754–1818) was an English topographer. Life Blore was born at Ashbourne, Derbyshire, on 1 December 1764. He received his education at the grammar school there, and afterwards became a solicitor at Derby. He then moved to Hopton ...

. * John Edwin Cussans, ''A History of Hertfordshire, containing an account of the Descents of the various Manors, Pedigrees of Families, Antiquities, Local Customs, &c.'' (16 parts in three folio volumes, 1870–81)

Kent

, ''A Perambulation of Kent'' (completed 1570; published 1576) * Richard Kilburne, ''A Brief Survey of the County of Kent'' (1657) summary digest of parishes and ''A Topographie, or Survey of the County of Kent'' (1659) *

Thomas Philipot Thomas may refer to: People * List of people with given name Thomas * Thomas (name) * Thomas (surname) * Saint Thomas (disambiguation) * Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274) Italian Dominican friar, philosopher, and Doctor of the Church * Thomas the A ...

, ''Villare Cantianum: or Kent Surveyed and Illustrated'' (1659) Philipot drew on materials originally collected by his father, John Philipot, and the ''Villare Cantianum'' is sometimes said to be John's work published under Thomas's name. He also drew on notes inherited from Robert Glover, his great-uncle. *

Edward Hasted Edward Hasted (20 December 1732 OS (31 December 1732 NS) – 14 January 1812) was an English antiquarian and pioneering historian of his ancestral home county of Kent. As such, he was the author of a major county history, ''The History and To ...

, ''The History and Topographical Survey of the County of Kent'', (1st edn, 4 folio vols, 1778–99); (2nd edn, 12 octavo vols, 1797–1801) *

Samuel Henshall Samuel Henshall (1764 or 1765 – 17 November 1807) was an English clergyman and writer, and inventor of a type of corkscrew. Life Henshall was born in 1764 or 1765, son of George Henshall, a grocer of Sandbach, Cheshire, and was educated at Manc ...

, ''Specimens and parts; containing a history of the county of Kent and a dissertation on the laws'' (1798, partial) *Christopher Greenwood, ''An Epitome of County History'' Vol. 1 (1818)

Lancashire

* Matthew Gregson, ''Portfolio of Fragments relative to the History and Antiquities of the County Palatine and Duchy of Lancaster'' (1817) *

John Corry Colonel John Corry (8 January 1667 – 11 November 1726) was an Irish politician. He was the son of Colonel James Corry and his first wife Sarah Anketill, daughter of Captain Oliver Anketill. Corry was educated at Kilkenny College and Trinit ...

, ''History of Lancashire'' (1825) * Edward Baines, ''Directory and Gazetteer of the County of Lancaster'' (1824–25) and ''History of the County Palatine of Lancaster'' (1836). Baines used

Edwin Butterworth Edwin Butterworth (1 October 1812 – 19 April 1848) was an English journalist, topographer, antiquarian and writer on local history known particularly as a researcher for Edward Baines's History of Lancashire. Life and career Butterworth was ...

as researcher and author; he also took much from Gregson's ''Portfolio''.

Leicestershire

* William Burton, ''The Description of Leicester Shire'' (1622) Burton made use of notes of

Augustine Vincent Augustine Vincent (c. 1584–1626) was an English herald and antiquary. He became involved in an antiquarian dispute between his friend William Camden and Ralph Brooke. Life Vincent was born presumably in Northamptonshire, about 1584, third and y ...

. * John Nichols, ''The History and Antiquities of the County of Leicester''. 4 vols. (1795–1815) Nichols included unpublished material from William Burton,

Francis Peck Francis Peck (1692–1743) was an English priest of the Church of England and antiquary, best known for his ''Desiderata Curiosa'' (1732–1735). Life He was born in Stamford, Lincolnshire, England, the son of Robert, merchant, and baptised 4 Ma ...

, and

Richard Farmer Richard Farmer FRS FSA (1735–1797) was a Shakespearean scholar and Master of Emmanuel College, Cambridge. He is known for his ''Essay on the Learning of Shakespeare'' (1767), in which he maintained that Shakespeare's knowledge of the class ...

. *William White, ''History, Gazetteer and Directory of Leicestershire'', 1863

Lincolnshire

William Marrat William Marrat (1772–1852) was an English printer, publisher and educator, known as a mathematician and antiquarian. Life Born at Sibsey, Lincolnshire, on 6 April 1772, Marrat was self-taught through wide reading and study of modern language. W ...

, ''History of Lincolnshire'' (1814–16), incomplete *

Thomas Allen Thomas Allen may refer to: Clergy *Thomas Allen (nonconformist) (1608–1673), Anglican/nonconformist priest in England and New England *Thomas Allen (dean of Chester) (died 1732) *Thomas Allen (scholar) (1681–1755), Anglican priest in England * ...

, ''A History of the County of Lincoln'' (1833–34)

Middlesex

, ''Speculum Britanniae: the First Parte: an Historicall, & Chorographicall Discription of Middlesex'' (1593)

Norfolk

*Anonymous, ''The Chorography of Norfolk'' (''c''.1602: unpublished) *

Francis Blomefield Rev. Francis Blomefield (23 July 170516 January 1752), FSA, Rector of Fersfield in Norfolk, was an English antiquarian who wrote a county history of Norfolk: ''An Essay Towards a Topographical History of the County of Norfolk''. It includes ...

, ''Topographical History of Norfolk'' (1739–45

Blomefield used materials from

Peter Le Neve Peter Le Neve (21 January 1661 – 24 September 1729) was an English herald and antiquary. He was appointed Rouge Dragon Pursuivant 17 January 1690 and created Norroy King at Arms on 25 May 1704. From 1707 to 1721 he was Richmond Herald of A ...

and

Thomas Martin of Palgrave Thomas Martin (8 March 1696/7 – 7 March 1771), known as "Honest Tom Martin of Palgrave", was an antiquarian and lawyer. Early life Martin was born at Thetford in the school house of St. Mary's parish, which is the only parish of that town si ...

. Charles Parkin worked to complete the history. Blomefield used material collected by Antony Norris, who later worked on completing and revising the history with John Fenn. *Anonymous, ''History and Antiquities of the County of Norfolk'' (1781) By Crouse and Booth of Norwich, this was largely copied from Blomefield. * John Chambers, ''A General History of the County of Norfolk'' (1829)

Northamptonshire

* John Morton, ''The Natural History of Northamptonshire, with some account of the antiquities; to which is annexed a transcript of Domesday Book'' (1712) *

Peter Whalley Peter Whalley (February 21, 1921 – September 18, 2007) was a Canadian caricaturist, cartoonist, illustrator and sculptor. Whalley was born in Brockville, Ontario, went to King's Collegiate School in Windsor, Nova Scotia until 1937, and ...

, ''The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire. Compiled from the manuscript collections of the late learned antiquary, John Bridges, Esq.'' (1762–1791) This resulted from a project started by John Bridges, and took several generations to come to fruition. * George Baker, ''History and Antiquities of the County of Northampton'' (1822–30)

Northumberland

John Wallis John Wallis (; la, Wallisius; ) was an English clergyman and mathematician who is given partial credit for the development of infinitesimal calculus. Between 1643 and 1689 he served as chief cryptographer for Parliament and, later, the royal ...

, ''The Natural History and Antiquities of Northumberland, and so much of the County of Durham as lies between the rivers Tyne and Tweed, commonly called North Bishoprick'' (2 vols., 1769). *

Eneas Mackenzie Eneas Mackenzie (1778–1832) was an English topographer. Life He was born in Aberdeenshire; his parents moved to Newcastle upon Tyne, when he was three years old. After working with his father as a shoemaker, he became a Baptist minister, and the ...

, ''An Historical and Descriptive View of the County of Northumberland'' (1811, 2 vols. and revised 1825); and ''A Descriptive and Historical Account of the Town and County of Newcastle-upon-Tyne'' (1827, 2 vols.) * John Hodgson, ''History of Northumberland'' (unfinished, from 1825) *

John Hodgson Hinde John Hodgson-Hinde (30 July 1806 – 26 November 1869), known as John Hodgson until 11 August 1836, was a British Conservative and Tory politician. Family Hodgson-Hinde was the son of John Hodgson and Sarah Huntley, daughter of Richard Huntley, ...

, ''A History of Northumberland'' (1858) *''History of the County of Northumberland'' (15 volumes 1893–1940). This was issued by the Northumberland County History Committee.

Nottinghamshire

Robert Thoroton Dr Robert Thoroton (4 October 1623 – c. 21 November 1678) was an English antiquary, mainly remembered for his county history, ''The Antiquities of Nottinghamshire'' (1677). Life Thoroton belonged to an old Nottinghamshire family, which took it ...

, ''Antiquities of Nottinghamshire'', 1677 *

John Throsby John Throsby (1740–1803) was an English antiquary. Life The son of Nicholas Throsby, alderman of Leicester and mayor in 1759, by Martha Mason, his second wife, was born at Leicester on 21 December 1740, and baptised at St. Martin's Church t ...

, ''Antiquities of Nottinghamshire'', 1790

Oxfordshire

, ''The Natural History of Oxford-shire (1677)

Rutland

* James Wright, ''The History and Antiquities of the County of Rutland'' (1684) *

, ''History and Antiquities of the County of Rutland'' (1811, partial)

Shropshire

Charles Hulbert Charles Hulbert (18 February 1778 – 9 October 1857) was an English businessman and writer. Life The son of Thomas Hulbert of Hulbert Green, near Cheadle, Cheshire, he was born in Manchester on 18 February 1778, and educated at the grammar sc ...

, ''History of the County of Salop'' (1837) This included an edition of the 1779 ''History and Antiquities of Shrewsbury'' by

Thomas Phillips Thomas Phillips RA (18 October 177020 April 1845) was a leading English portrait and subject painter. He painted many of the great men of the day including scientists, artists, writers, poets and explorers. Life and work Phillips was born at ...

, which drew on the work of James Bowen and John Bowen. * Thomas Farmer Dukes, ''Antiquities of Shropshire'' (1844) Dukes used a manuscript of

Edward Lloyd Edward Lloyd may refer to: Politicians *Edward Lloyd (MP for Montgomery), Welsh lawyer and politician *Edward Lloyd (16th-century MP) (died 1547) for Buckingham * Edward Lloyd, 1st Baron Mostyn (1768–1854), British politician *Edward Lloyd (Colon ...

Somerset

* John Collinson (1791, 3 vols.) including survey by

Edmund Rack Edmund Rack (c.1735 – 22 February 1787), born in Norfolk, England, became well known in Bath, Somerset; he was a writer, particularly about agriculture, and founded notable societies. Life Rack was born in Attleborough, Norfolk, about 1735, so ...

Somerset Victoria County History The ''Somerset Victoria County History'' is an encyclopaedic history of the county of Somerset in England, forming part of the overall Victoria County History of England founded in 1899 in honour of Queen Victoria. With ten volumes published in t ...

Staffordshire

, ''Survey of Staffordshire'' *

, ''The Natural History of Staffordshire (1686) * Stebbing Shaw, ''History of Staffordshire'' (''History and Antiquities of Staffordshire'') *William Pitt, ''A Topographical History of Staffordshire'' (1817)

Suffolk

*Anonymous, ''The Chorography of Suffolk'' (1602: unpublished) * Robert Reyce, ''A Breviary of Suffolk'' (''c''.1618: unpublished) *

John Gage Rokewode John Gage Rokewode (13 September 1786 – 14 October 1842 at Claughton Hall, Lancashire) was a historian and antiquarian. Life He was the fourth son of Sir Thomas Gage of Hengrave, Suffolk and took the name Rokewode in 1838 when he succeede ...

, ''The History and Antiquities of Suffolk'', 1838 *

Alfred Suckling Alfred Inigo Suckling (1796–1856), surname originally Fox, was an English clergyman, an author and historian of Suffolk. Life Born on 31 January 1796 in Norwich, he was the only son of Alexander Fox, by his wife Anna Maria (née Suckling, d.1848 ...

, ''The History and Antiquities of the County of Suffolk'' (1846

*

M. R. James Montague Rhodes James (1 August 1862 – 12 June 1936) was an English author, medievalist scholar and provost of King's College, Cambridge (1905–1918), and of Eton College (1918–1936). He was Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambrid ...

, ''Suffolk and Norfolk: A Perambulation of the Two Counties with Notices of Their History and Their Ancient Buildings'' (1930)

Surrey

, ''Perambulation of Surrey'' (written 1673–92); published by

Richard Rawlinson Richard Rawlinson FRS (3 January 1690 – 6 April 1755) was an English clergyman and antiquarian collector of books and manuscripts, which he bequeathed to the Bodleian Library, Oxford. Life Richard Rawlinson was a younger son of Sir Thomas R ...

as ''The Natural History and Antiquities of the County of Surrey'' (1718–19) *

Owen Manning Owen Manning (1721–1801) was an English clergyman and antiquarian, known as a historian of Surrey. Life Son of Owen Manning of Orlingbury, Northamptonshire, he was born there on 11 August 1721, and received his education at Queens' College, Cam ...

and William Bray, ''The History and Antiquities of the County of Surrey'' (1804–14) *

Edward Wedlake Brayley Edward Wedlake Brayley (177323 September 1854) was an English historian and topographer. Brayley collaborated with his life-long friend, John Britton, on the first 6 volumes of ''The Beauties of England and Wales''. Early life Brayley was ...

with

Gideon Algernon Mantell Gideon Algernon Mantell MRCS FRS (3 February 1790 – 10 November 1852) was a British obstetrician, geologist and palaeontologist. His attempts to reconstruct the structure and life of ''Iguanodon'' began the scientific study of dinosaurs: in ...

(geology), ''A Topographical History of Surrey'' (1841)

Sussex

James Dallaway The Rev. Prebendary James Dallaway FSA (20 February 1763 – 6 June 1834) was an English antiquary, topographer, and miscellaneous writer. He is known for his account of Constantinople and the Greek islands, published in 1797; and his county h ...

, ''History of the Western Division of Sussex'' (1815 to 1832), with Edmund Cartwright *

Thomas Walker Horsfield Rev. Thomas Walker Horsfield FSA (christened 2 December 1792, Sheffield - 26 August 1837, Chowbent, Lancashire), was an English Nonconformist minister, topographer, and historian best known for his works ''The History and Antiquities of Lewes ...

, ''The History, Antiquities and Topography of the County of Sussex'' (1835) *

John Russell Smith John Russell Smith (1810–1894), known as Russell Smith, was an English bookseller and bibliographer. He is best known for his "Library of Old Authors" reprint series. Life He was born at Sevenoaks, Kent, and was apprenticed to John Bryant of W ...

, ''Sussex archaeological collections illustrating the history and antiquities of the county'', 1853

Warwickshire

, ''The Antiquities of Warwickshire'' (1656) Dugdale used notes from William Burton; and much material from Simon Archer.

Wiltshire

, ''Antiquities of Wiltshire'' (written 1656–71; partially published 1862); and ''Naturall Historie of Wiltshire'' (written 1656–91; partially published 1847) *

Sir Richard Colt Hoare Sir Richard Colt Hoare, 2nd Baronet FRS (9 December 1758 – 19 May 1838) was an English antiquarian, archaeologist, artist, and traveller of the 18th and 19th centuries, the first major figure in the detailed study of the history of his home ...

, ''The History of Modern Wiltshire'' (1822–44) *''

Wiltshire Victoria County History The Wiltshire Victoria County History, properly called The Victoria History of the County of Wiltshire but commonly referred to as VCH Wiltshire, is an encyclopaedic history of the county of Wiltshire in England. It forms part of the overall Vic ...

'' *''

Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine ''Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine'' is a county journal published by the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society (WANHS), based in Devizes, England. It has been published almost annually since 1854 and is distri ...

Worcestershire

Treadway Russell Nash Treadway Russell Nash (24 June 1724 page 459 – 26 January 1811Chambers, p464) was an English clergyman, now known as an early historian of Worcestershire and the author of ''Collections for the History of Worcestershire'', an important source d ...

, ''History and Antiquities of the County of Worcester'' (1781) Nash used collections of

Charles Lyttelton Charles Lyttelton may refer to: * Sir Charles Lyttelton, 3rd Baronet (1628–1716), Governor of Jamaica *Charles Lyttelton (bishop) (1714–1768), Bishop of Carlisle and antiquary * Charles Lyttelton, 8th Viscount Cobham (1842–1922), English cric ...

, including older research of Thomas Habington. He also was aware of the work of

Thomas Dingley Sir Thomas Dingley (executed 9 or 10 July 1539) was an English prior of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem. He is a Catholic martyr. Biography Sir Thomas was the son of John Dingley of Boston, Lincolnshire and his wife, Mabel, daughter of Edmun ...

Yorkshire

Ralph Thoresby Ralph Thoresby (16 August 1658 – 16 October 1725) was an antiquarian, who was born in Leeds and is widely credited with being the first historian of that city. Besides being a merchant, he was a nonconformist, fellow of the Royal Society, diar ...

, using collections of

John Hopkinson John Hopkinson, FRS, (27 July 1849 – 27 August 1898) was a British physicist, electrical engineer, Fellow of the Royal Society and President of the IEE (now the IET) twice in 1890 and 1896. He invented the three-wire (three-phase) system for ...

*''Memoirs Illustrative of the History and Antiquities of the County and City of York'' (1816) * Joseph Hunter, ''South Yorkshire (a history of the Deanery of Doncaster)'' (1828–31) * Edward Baines, ''History, Directory and Gazetteer of the County of York'' (1822–23) *

, ''A New and Complete History of the County of York'' (1828–31) *''The Survey of the County of York'', John de Kirkby, 186

Related histories

Worthies

Thomas Fuller Thomas Fuller (baptised 19 June 1608 – 16 August 1661) was an English churchman and historian. He is now remembered for his writings, particularly his ''Worthies of England'', published in 1662, after his death. He was a prolific author, and ...

, ''Worthies of England'' * John Prince, ''Worthies of Devon'' *

Hartley Coleridge Hartley Coleridge, possibly David Hartley Coleridge (19 September 1796 – 6 January 1849), was an English poet, biographer, essayist, and teacher. He was the eldest son of the poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge. His sister Sara Coleridge was a poet an ...

, ''Worthies of Yorkshire and Lancashire'' (1836) *

Mark Antony Lower Mark Antony Lower F.S.A. M.A. (1813–1876) was a Sussex historian and schoolteacher who founded the Sussex Archaeological Society. An anti-Catholic propagandist Lower is believed to have started the "cult of the Sussex Martyrs", although he was ...

, ''Worthies of Sussex'' (1865) *

Cornelius Brown Cornelius Brown (5 March 1852 in Lowdham, Nottinghamshire – 4 November 1907) was an English journalist and historian. In 1874, 22-year-old Brown became editor of the Newark Advertiser in nearby Newark-on-Trent. Over the next 33 years, he wro ...

, ''Worthies of Notts'' *Winnifrith Alfred, Men of Kent and Kentish men: biographical notices of 680 worthies of Kent *

Henry Lonsdale Henry Lonsdale M.D. (1816–1876) was an English physician, now known as a biographer. Early life Born in Carlisle, Cumberland, he was son of Henry Lonsdale, a tradesman there. After attending a local school he was apprenticed in 1831 to Messr ...

''The Worthies of Cumberland'' (1867) *George Atkinson, ''The Worthies of Westmorland'' *Browne, Edith Ophelia; Burton, John Richard (editors). ''A short biography of the Worthies of Worcestershire''

Urban and parish histories

Histories were also written of cities,

ancient borough The ancient boroughs were a historic unit of lower-tier local government in England and Wales. The ancient boroughs covered only important towns and were established by charters granted at different times by the monarchy. Their history is large ...

s, newer municipalities, and even individual parishes (parochial histories). *

John Stow John Stow (''also'' Stowe; 1524/25 – 5 April 1605) was an English historian and antiquarian. He wrote a series of chronicles of English history, published from 1565 onwards under such titles as ''The Summarie of Englyshe Chronicles'', ''The C ...

, ''The Survey of London'' (1598 and 1603) *

Francis Drake Sir Francis Drake ( – 28 January 1596) was an English explorer, sea captain, privateer, slave trader, naval officer, and politician. Drake is best known for his circumnavigation of the world in a single expedition, from 1577 to 1580 (t ...

, ''Eboracum: The History and Antiquities of the City of York, from its Original to the Present Time; together with the History of the Cathedral Church and the Lives of the Archbishops'' (1736) *W. Newton, ''The History and Antiquities of Maidstone'' (1741) *

, ''The History and Antiquities of Colchester'' (1748) *

Thomas Warton Thomas Warton (9 January 172821 May 1790) was an English literary historian, critic, and poet. He was appointed Poet Laureate in 1785, following the death of William Whitehead. He is sometimes called ''Thomas Warton the younger'' to disti ...

, ''The History and Antiquities of Kiddington'' (1782) * William Barrett, ''History and Antiquities of Bristol'' (1788) *

, ''The History and Antiquities of the Ancient Town of Leicester'' (1791) * John Brewster, ''Parochial History and Antiquities of Stockton-on-Tees'' (1796) * John Blackner, ''History of Nottingham'' (1815) *

, ''The History and Antiquities of Lewes'' (1824–26) * James Thompson, ''History of Leicester'' (1849–71) *Pishey Thompson, ''The History and Antiquities of Boston'' (1856) * Richard Vickerman Taylor, ''The Biographia Leodiensis; or, Biographical Sketches of the Worthies of Leeds and neighbourhood, from the Norman Conquest to the present time, etc.''(1865–67) * Howard Dudley, ''The History and Antiquities of Horsham'' * Thomas Faulkner, ''History and Antiquities of Hammersmith''

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* * * * * * * * * * * *{{Cite book, first=Rosemary , last=Sweet , year=2004 , title=Antiquaries: the Discovery of the Past in Eighteenth-Century Britain , place=London , publisher=Hambledon and London , isbn=1-85285-309-3 , pages=36–42 English antiquarians Regional geography English history-related lists English local history

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