This treatise on the factors which brought about the shire of Lancastria draws upon geological, geographical and historical sources to provide a picture of the area from earliest times to the 11th century. The book opens with information on the physical background of the area, goes on to cover the first millenium BC, in which the early history of the hill forts in North Lancastria is detailed, and then describes the incursion of the Romans in the north-west. The subsequent period in which the Anglo-Saxons held sway is dealt with next and contains information on place-names and their relationship to landscape, archaeological remains and estate management. The later section of the book deals with the time of Anglo-Scandinavians in Lancashire and contains material on territorial reorganization, Scandinavian settlements, place-names and the sheiling economy. The final chapter brings the picture of Lancastria up to the time of the 11th century and demonstrates how the emergence of Lancashire began to come about through the internal organization of 11th century estates, hundredal organization in the south of the county, the boundaries of the shires and Norman baronies, and the beginnings of parish structure and ecclesiastical organization.