The earliest natural history of Staffordshire. Contains a description of all parts of the county, of selected historical events, of people, of flora and fauna and other curiosities. Amongst these is what we believe to be the earliest known reference to crop circles. Nicely illustrated with several engravings. Kindly loaned to the project by Brierley Hill Library.

One of the great histories of Staffordshire. Written by the Rev Stebbing Shaw between 1798 and 1801, it is based on the manuscripts of Huntbach, Loxdale, Bishop Lyttleton and from the collection of Dr Wilkes (which included Erdeswicke's survey) - and is supplemented by material from Dr Plot's History of Staffordshire (q.v.). Illustrated with over fifty engravings, it is a magnificent and authoritative history of the county up to 1801. Kindly loaned to the project by Brierley Hill Library.

Erdeswicke lived in Staffordshire in the late 16th century, and supposedly started this survey of the county in 1593. However, it was not published during his lifetime, although he did rework it in manuscript form more than once. The first version that was printed was from the early MSS, and contained a number of errors. This version came somewhat later, contained the last version of the MSS drafted by Erdeswicke, and contains a very interesting preface of around 75 pages which supplements its content.

Erdeswicke's survey is one of the earliest authoritative studies of Staffordshire, and as such is essential for local historians of the period. Kindly loaned to the project by Brierley Hill Library.

A rare early history of the Free Schools in the whole of Staffordshire. Contains a short history of each school, and of its endowments and the charities supporting it. Kindly loaned to the project by BMSGH.
Note - please note that the original was in very poor condition, and that therefore some of the pages have small amounts of missing text.

First series of manuscript transcriptions from the William Salt Historical society. Kindly loaned to the project by Dudley Archives and Local History Service.

Robert Dent and Joseph Hill collaborated on a number of local histories, and this is typical of their output. Thorough, well-laid out and nicely illustrated, it succinctly records the history of the county of Staffordshire. Kindly loaned to the project by Brierley Hill Library.

Second series of manuscript transcriptions from the William Salt Historical society. Kindly loaned to the project by Dudley Archives and Local History Service.