Stafford Paintings of a County Town

This delightful collection of pictures is a valuable record of many of the historically important buildings of the town of Stafford, a town which boasts a history of over 1000 years. William the Conqueror thought so highly of it he put his Standard Bearer in charge of it after the Conquest. James I called it a Little LondonA" and Charles I and Prince Rupert had their Civil War HQ there. Little timbered artisans cottages, gracious Georgian town houses and the Ancient High House, the finest example of a 16th century timbered town house, are all to be found here, surrounded and protected by strong stone walls and the River Sow. In capturing the style and architecture of these buildings Joan gives us a glimpse of the rich and varied history of this wonderfully vibrant town, which was not only greatly valued for its strategic position in the heart of England but also famed for its thriving shoe industry.