This is the first paperback edition of the classic town history by E. S. Lindley. It was first published in 1962 by the Museum Press, and a limited edition of 400 copies was published in 1977 by Alan Sutton. Following in the scholarly tradition of the post-war years, the book is well-researched and extremely well-written. In the original 1962 edition Mr Lindley dedicated the book as follows: To Dr Joan Evans, President of the Society of Antiquaries of London who inspired and has continued to guide this work. There is no merit in trying to update the work, and the text has been left to stand as it is. Therefore there are references in the text to the present which are now half a century out of date. This should take this into account when reading the work.