Lost Country Houses of Norfolk: History, Archaeology and Myth

Norfolk is a county with many lost country houses, which this book and gazetteer explore. It argues that previous studies have been nostalgic and vague, and that the loss of great houses was not an entirely new development of the twentieth century. It presents a balanced, systematic analysis of country house losses, discussing the scale and chronology of destruction and the archaeological traces left in the modern landscape.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 372 pages
Publication date: 14 June 2022
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer Ltd

Norfolk, a county renowned for its abundance of abandoned country houses, is the subject of this comprehensive account and gazetteer. Recognized as the winner of the General Non-Fiction category in the East Anglian Book Awards 2016, this book offers a profound exploration into the lost architectural treasures that have vanished from the landscape since the late 19th century. These country houses, with their elegant designs and refined taste, hold a special place in the English imagination, symbolizing the decline of a bygone era of elegance, stability, and deference. This important new publication challenges prevailing narratives by emphasizing the nuanced and complex factors that led to the loss of these grand residences. The authors argue that previous studies on the subject have often been characterized by nostalgia and vagueness, as well as an exaggerated emphasis on the scale of destruction and a simplification of its causes. In contrast, this book presents a balanced and systematic analysis of country house losses in Norfolk, delving into the scale, chronology, and various reasons behind their abandonment and destruction. Through a comprehensive gazetteer that accompanies the text, the authors shed light on the archaeological traces these places, their gardens, and parks have left in the modern landscape. Drawing on extensive fieldwork and documentary research, this book is a valuable resource for scholars, historians, and enthusiasts alike who are interested in the history of country houses, the development of the post-medieval landscape, and the rich archaeological heritage of Norfolk. Tom Williamson, Professor of Landscape History at the University of East Anglia, collaborates with Ivan Ringwood, an independent historical researcher, and Sarah Spooner, Lecturer in Landscape History at the University of East Anglia, to bring forth.

Dimension: 240 x 170 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781783276998