Deserted Medieval Villages: Studies

by M.W. Beresford, John G. Hurst

Professor Beresford classic The Lost Villages of England was written between 1949 and 1953. Since that date there has been work at more than 200 further sites and there has been much more investigation by historians and geographers. (In this book) Professor Beresford reviews the impact of his original book, comments on his critics and reports on new types of historical evidence. He also assesses the value to historians of what archaeology has discovered since 1954. There are 31 plates (including 13 new air photographs), 42 figures and 16 tables.

340 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1971

About the author

Maurice Warwick Beresford (usually published as M.W. Beresford) developed a deep interest for archaeology when he discovered the remains of the abandoned village of Bittesby in Leicestershire, England. With John G. Hurst, Beresford went on to excavate the village of Wharram Percy in North Yorkshire, England.
Beresford was elected a Fellow of the British Academy in 1985.

Reviews

[Ruth · Rating 2 out of 5]

c1971: This is a far more 'academic' book than the previous book ie The Lost Villages of England and in some ways is much more self indulgent especially when he brings in the criticisms of this earlier work. In an effort to justify and explain his conclusions there are a number of tables, citations and references. Both of these books were published by Lutterworth Press who had originally suggested to Beresford that he publish his notes on what was initially a hobby. His obit in The Independent stated, inter alia, "Adept by then at the documentary research but conscious of his lack of proper archaeological training, Beresford admitted that he had "trespassed from history into archaeology". This was at a time when established British archaeologists were preoccupied with the prehistoric and Roman periods and had not become seriously interested in the potential of medieval sites. It was only with the arrival at Wharram in June 1952 of John Hurst, recently graduated in archaeology from Cambridge, that the research potential of deserted villages and of this site in particular was realised." He does however have a witty turn of phrase from time to time and this keeps you reading on. His clairvoyant knowledge of the argument must have turned out to be inaccurate, for after 15 years the threatened exposure is still awaited."