Secret Warwick

Warwick is a county town with a rich history, including a castle, St Mary's Collegiate Church, and the Lord Leycester Hospital. This book explores the town's forgotten and hidden histories, including Tudor benefactors, Mark Twain's novel, election rioting, and local government corruption. It also includes reminders of the past, such as the old leper hospital, prisons, and public execution sites. The town housed two prisoner of war camps in the Second World War and has a secret garden by the river.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 96 pages
Publication date: 15 September 2022
Publisher: Amberley Publishing

Warwick, the county town, is renowned for its castle, St Mary's Collegiate Church, with its connections to Joan of Arc, and the Lord Leycester Hospital. However, much of its history has been overlooked, and local author Graham Sutherland delves deeply into the long-forgotten and hidden histories of the town in his book, Secret Warwick.

In Secret Warwick, readers encounter a range of remarkable stories. One such story is about the Tudor benefactor whose legacy continues to provide funding today. The setting for Mark Twain's novel A Connecticut Yankee at King Arthur's Court is also featured in the book, as is the town's tumultuous election rioting. Additionally, readers are introduced to local government corruption and grim reminders of the past, such as the old leper hospital, prisons, and public execution sites.

The book also features several turbulent priests, including a reformed slaver and a vicar who was banned from his own church. Among these priests are several who were involved in scandalous incidents, such as the theft of church funds and the abuse of parishioners.

A secret garden by the river welcomes visitors to Warwick, and the town housed two prisoner of war camps during the Second World War. St Mary's Church contains Montgomery of Alamein's banner, and a memorial to soldiers murdered by the SS in 1940. The book is filled with tales of remarkable characters and tucked-away or disappeared buildings and locations, making it appealing to all who have an interest in Warwickshire's county town.

Weight: 278g
Dimension: 165 x 233 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781398111769