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Full Description
Reading in the 21st century is proud to call itself the biggest town in England, and is considered to be among the best places in Britain to provide a `good work-life balance.' Yet in the fifth century it was a barely visible settlement. So how was Reading transformed from these humble beginnings into the largest and wealthiest town in Berkshire? In this readable and beautifully produced book, leading local historian Joan Dils has traced the history of Reading, the unique and strategic position of which has over the last 1000 years attracted the Romans, Anglo-Saxons, Vikings and Normans, as well as a host of influential individuals. The town's fortunes were transformed in 1121, when King Henry I founded an abbey that was to become one of the richest in England. Over subsequent centuries the borough grew and prospered, its industries benefitting, then as today, from its location, and from constant influxes of talented and innovative people. During the twentieth century, Reading slowly moved away from biscuits, brick-making, brewing and seeds to become a centre of the knowledge economy, a vibrant university town, and major transport hub.
The story of Reading is a long and fascinating one, and this superb book is a must for anyone with an interest in the history of the town.
Contents
Foreword vii
Chapter 1
Beginnings and the early medieval town to c.1350 1
Beginnings 1
The Norman Conquest 9
Domesday Reading 10
The early medieval town 14
Wealth in 1297 22
Religious life 22
Reading's relative standing by 1350 23
Chapter 2
Abbey, borough and urban government, 1121-1529 25
The Merchant Gild and the Abbey 34
Chapter 3
Prosperity and piety, c.1350-1540 43
Population 43
The Merchant Gild and the borough economy 45
Occupations 47
Wealth and social structure 54
Late medieval parish and religious life 58
Chapter 4
The years of crisis, 1529-1600 65
The dissolution of the friary and the abbey 66
The Borough Charter of 1542 68
The sale of abbey lands and the demolition of its buildings 70
The Reformation in the parishes 71
The 1560 charter and urban government to 1600 76
Population and the appearance of the borough 81
Chapter 5
Borough society and economy, c.1540-1640 87
Population 87
Craft gilds 88
Regulation of trade 94
Reading in its hinterland 95
Women in society and economy 100
Inns, alehouses and leisure activities 101
Chapter 6
A troubled and divided community, 1600-1660 105
Plague 105
Food prices and shortages 106
Trade, unemployment and poverty 107
Politics national and local, 1625-1640 113
Parliament and the drift to war, 1640-1642 116
Chapter 7
A changed economy and society, 1660-1740 129
Population 129
Society in the 1660s and after 131
A changing economy 132
National and urban politics and the work of the corporation 138
Anglicanism and the birth of nonconformity 145
Poverty, vagrancy and crime 147
A changing culture: `consumer revolution'? 148
Chapter 8
Politics, commerce and improvement, 1740-1835 153
Population 153
Borough government 154
Schools 155
Corporation business and finances 156
Parliamentary elections 158
Commerce and industry 159
Poverty and poor relief 166
Prisons, crime and immorality 167
Religion, charities and charity schools 169
Appearance of the borough c.1830: gentrification and improvement 177
Need for reform 185
Chapter 9
From Belford Regis to Biscuitopolis: Reading, 1840-1911 187
Population 187
Expansion, housing and social class 189
Consequences of growth: local government, poverty and public health 195
Industry, commerce and transport 204
Trade 217
Chapter 10
Religion, education and culture c.1892: retrospect and prospect 225
Church and chapel 226
Education 228
Reading School and other schools 232
Libraries, private and public 235
Adult Education, the Extension College and the WEA 238
Leisure activities: improving and popular 243
Chapter 11
Survivals and arrivals: Reading, 1912-1960 253
Reading before the First World War 253
The First World War 254
Reading between the wars 257
Party politics 258
Housing and council housing 258
Education 261
Poverty, health and welfare 263
Industry, commerce and occupations 264
Trams and buses 265
Leisure 266
Reading in the Second World War 267
Post-war Reading 270
Population 271
Housing 272
Social security and health 274
Education 274
Trade and industry before 1960 276
Leisure 277
Chapter 12
The latest transformation: Reading since 1960 279
What is contemporary Reading? 279
Population and migration 280
Religion 281
Housing 282
Education 285
Commerce 287
Manufacture and industry 290
Wealth and social structure 294
Transport 295
Local and national politics 297
Popular culture 298
Into the future 301
Bibliographical essay 303
References 309
Index 332
