"In medieval and early modern Britain, people would refer to their local district as their 'country,' a term now largely forgotten but still used up until the First World War. Core groups of families that remained rooted in these 'countries,' often bearing distinctive surnames still in use today, shaped local culture and passed on their traditions. In The Grass Roots of English History, Hey examines the differing nature of the various local societies that were found throughout England in these periods. The book provides an update on the progress that has been made in recent years in our understanding of the history of ordinary people living in different types of local societies throughout England. It demonstrates the value of studying the varied landscapes of England, from towns to villages, farmsteads, fields and woods to highways and lanes, as well as historic buildings. With its coverage from the medieval period up to the Industrial Revolution, the book shows how England's socio-economic landscape has changed over time, employing evidence provided by archaeology, architecture, botany, cultural studies, linguistics and historical demography"-- Provided by publisher.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 191-220) and index.

1. Introduction: The Countries of England -- 2. The People of England -- 3. England's Historic Towns and Cities -- 4. Organizing the Countryside : Villages, Hamlets and Farmsteads -- 5. Earning a Living in the Countryside -- 6. The Greatest Buildings in the Land -- 7. Parish Churches and Chapels -- 8. Timber-Framed Houses -- 9. Population, Family Life and Society.

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