Arts & Skills Books

Art Nouveau Glass Painting Made Easy - $8.00
Alan D Gear & Barry L Freestone. Recreate the unmistakable style of Art Nouveau with 20 stunning glass painting projects inspired by celebrated artists such as William Morris, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, William De Morgan, Klimt, Louis Comfort Tiffany, Walter Crane, Charles Annesley Voyse and Clarice Cliff. All the basic tools and materials to complete the projects are explained in detail, while the basic techniques are comprehensively covered, demonstrated through illustrated, step-by-step instructions. Pb.

Beaded Chainmail Jewelry - $39.00
Dylon Whyte. Chain mail is one of the hottest jewelry trends out there; add beads and the style positively sizzles. Bestselling author and chain mail expert Dylon Whyte presents his time-tested, time-saving techniques with more than 30 breathtaking projects, ranging from extremely simple to challenging. A thorough introduction, illustrated with computer-generated pictures, covers the basics of chain mail techniques. Then Whyte reveals his patented, perfected beading method: rather than using difficult wire-wrapping, he threads the beads directly onto the rings before they’re fashioned into chain mail. The exciting collection of 30 projects includes a delicate Persian patterned anklet, embellished with tiny silver bells; an amethyst opera-length necklace; and silver earrings shaped like inverted peacock feathers, edged with rings and turquoise beads. 144pp. Hb.

Beasts: Factual and Fantastic - $67.00
Elizabeth Morrison. This book features vivid and charming details from the wealth of manuscripts in the collections of the J. Paul Getty Museum and the British Library, along with a lively text; together both word and image provide an accessible and delightful introduction to the imagination of the medieval world. Hb.

The Blacksmith's Craft - $27.00
Charles McRaven. A Primer of tools and methods. A guide throught the process of building a simple forge from recycled materials, acquiring or crafting the basic tools, and learning the techniques to get you started in blacksmithing. Simple methods in easy-to-follow photos are throughout this book. 247pp. Pb.

The Complete Woodcuts of Albrecht Durer - $29.00
Albrecht Durer, Dr W Kurth. Old Testament, St. Jerome, Passion, Life of Virgin, Apocalypse; 346 in all. Introduction by Campbell Dodgson. It was in woodcut design that the creative genius of Dürer reached its highest expression. This is the only available source for many of these works. 285pp. Pb.

The Concise Guide to Self-Sufficiency - $29.00
John Seymour. Start living the 'Good Life'. Pick up this handy compact favourite from 'the grand master of self-sufficiency' and discover how to enjoy a sustainable lifestyle. Easy-to-follow, this guide not only tells you what to do, but shows you how to do it. Follow practical know-how: from creating an urban organic garden and making wine and beer, to ploughing fields or harnessing natural energy. It is all the practical advice you need to make the break and get started. John Seymour is the acknowledged founding father of the self-sufficiency movement. Author of more than 40 books, he draws students from around the world to learn self-sufficiency first hand at his farm in County Wexford. 256pp. Hb.

Cosmetics and Perfumes in the Roman World - $45.00
Susan Stewart. How widely did women use make-up in ancient Rome and what evidence exists? In this pioneering study, the author draws on literary, visual, and archaeological evidence to show the importance of cosmetics and perfumes for health, ideas of beauty, social status, as a demonstration of wealth and luxury, and as an expression of gender within the Roman Empire. Covering the 300 years from the writings of Ovid to the Price Edict of Diocletian in AD 301, the study acts as a survey of the perception and reality behind the use of cosmetics and perfumes in the Roman Empire.

Courtly Dance of the Renaissance - $27.00
Fabritio Caroso. Renaissance classic includes choreography and music for 49 dances, plus all-important guidance on how to dress, how to behave and how to carry oneself while dancing at court, set down with utmost clarity and precision. Indispensable source of authentic information on courtly dance in the period from 1550 to 1610. Full scholarly apparatus. Translated and edited by Julia Sutton. 416pp. Pb.

Creating Handmade Books - $27.00
Alisa Golden. Take one piece of paper, a pair of scissors, and you have the tools to make a book! Add just a few other basic materials - glue, a needle and thread, a brush - and the possibilities become nearly endless. Cut and folded books, simple sewn structures, hanging scrolls, pocket books, and one based on a Jacob's Ladders! 160pp. Pb.

Fragrant Candles - $11.00
Rhondda Cleary. A practical guide to making candles for the home and garden. Pb.

Heraldic Crests: A Pictorial Archive of 4,424 Designs for Artists and Craftspeople - $41.00
James Fairbairn. This is a rich selection of royalty-free motifs from famous British references. They are striking, varied designs suitable for any number of graphic projects. Images include lions, tigers, wreaths, falcons, rosettes, human figures, mythical creatures, crowns, and much more. 320pp. Pb.

Heraldic Designs - $19.00
Hubert Allcock. Rich sourcebook of approximately 500 royalty-free, black-and-white designs traces history and meaning of the shield, symbols, crests, helmets, and blazonry, with special emphasis on such devices as beasts, monsters, human and part-human figures. American, British, French, and Russian costs of arms are displayed, as are insignias of the Pope and clergy, state seals, and emblems of modern institutions. 96pp. Pb.

Heraldry: A Pictorial Archive for Artists and Designers - $32.00
Arthur Charles Fox-Davies. A royalty-free treasury of 393 full-color, and 654 black-and-white illustrations. Authentic heraldic arms, lions, eagles, dragons, shields, crests, windows, etc. Also included are the arms of cities and towns, the arms of Edward the Black Prince, Milton, Maximilian I, and others. 160pp. Pb.

The History Of Furniture: Ancient to 19th Century - $49.00
Michael Huntley. A collection of articles featured in Furniture and Cabinetmaking magazine describing furniture from the Dark Ages to 1900AD. Lavishly illustrated with colour photographs supplied from the Sotheby's archive, along with hand-drawn illustrations. Michael was formerly head of Sothebys's furniture restoration workshops. 224pp. Pb.

The Holkham Bible Picture Book: A Facsimile - $125.00
Michelle P Brown. This celebrated medieval picture-book tells the Biblical story, with the help of illustrations of everyday 14th-century England. It is only loosely based on the Bible and includes plenty of apocryphal episodes, for example Christ 'surfing' on sunbeams as a child. The costumes, tools, weapons and buildings in the pictures give us a near documentary-style representation of many occupations in the age of Chaucer, such as dyer, smith, carpenter and midwife. This distinctive manuscript has now been carefully photographed and reproduced on special paper designed to replicate the look and feel of the original vellum. The facsimile includes Michelle's Brown's full transcript and translation of the text, and a commentary based on her unrivalled knowledge of the period. Hb.

The Illuminated Alphabet - $10.00
Theodore Menten. 50 great initials of the Middle Ages, all with remarkable, ready-to-color illuminations built into them: Biblical scenes, knights, martyrdoms, grotesque animals, geometrical ornament, scenes of war and play, musicians and much else from the treasury of medieval manuscripts. 48pp. Pb.

In The Unicorn's Garden: Recreating the Mystery and Magic of Medieval Gardens - $68.00
Judyth A McLeod. This unique, multilayered book recreates the mystery and magic of medieval gardens and provides the tools for designing these inspiring gardens for yourself. Each chapter features a garden design based on a theme of significance in the medieval world. Chapters begin with an historical overview and a discussion of society, culture, religion and mythology in relation to each theme. Each design is illustrated with original watercolours and they are all suitable for an average suburban garden plot. 288pp. Hb.

Living in Celtic Homes - $20.00
Phillipa Fox. Celtic farming and fishing families once made everything they needed at home by hand, from natural materials. They fashioned kitchenware and furniture from moss and straw, pine resin and whalebone or driftwood and seashells. Whether creating a song or a whisky cup there was a sense of pleasure in getting it right, and an instinct for beauty - this life was full of art. Accompanied by over 30 original illustrations from the Hebridean Islands to the mountains of Donegal, here is a story of lives spent in the open air and by the fireside, weaving, spinning, mending nets, or singing, dancing and storytelling. 120pp. Pb.

Making Drums - $21.00
Dennis Waring. The intent of this book is not so much a step-by-step set of instructions on how to build drums, but rather an overview of principlesabout drum making. The information comes from two small drum manufacturing companies, five independant drum makers, a myriad of drummers and several drum collections. For those who wish to build a drum, there is more than enough information. Techniques include from framed and staved to carved and clay versions. 96pp. Pb.

Making Glass Beads - $24.00
Cindy Jenkins. Discover the art of glass beadmaking and learn many of the secrets that were guarded for centuries by Venetian glassmakers. Begin with basic methods for making and decorating beads, and go on to dozens of techniques described in step-by-step detail. Lavishly illustrated. 112pp. Pb.

Medieval Garden Design - $15.00
Ramona Jablonski. Medieval artists' illustrations of gardens, garden structures, bedding patterns and birds, animals, plants and people. Very inspirational. 48pp. Pb.

Medieval Sketchbook of Villard de Honnecourt - $24.00
Villard de Honnecourt, Theodore Bowie. Little may be known about Villard de Honnecourt, but thanks to his immortal Sketchbook, there exist reliable and contemporaneous graphic observations of everyday life in 13th-century France. Contained in this volume are the entire contents of his portfolio, complete with authoritative translations of the artist's words, annotation, and editor's commentary. 73 black-and-white plates. 160pp. Pb.

Medieval Tapestries Colouring Book - $7.00
Marty Noble. This collection of lovely images invites coloring book fans of all ages to explore the exquisite beauty of medieval tapestries. Thirty handsome drawings of details from the Unicorn, Bayeaux, and other priceless tapestries can be brought to life with a rainbow of colors. 32pp. Pb.

Medieval Woodcut Illustrations - $18.00
Carol Grafton. Comparable to the Gutenberg Bible in its magnificent craftsmanship, The Nuremberg Chronicle, a 1493 history of the world, contains some of the most beautiful woodcuts ever designed. This splendid selection depicts 91 locales—Athens, Paris, Rome, Vienna, Jerusalem, Venice, Prague, Munich, Nuremberg, Florence, and many others, plus 143 illustrations of figures and decorative objects. Designed by a team of artists headed by Pleydenwurff and Wolgemut that included apprentice Albrecht Dürer. 194 royalty-free black-and-white illus. 96pp. Pb.

Printing by Hand - $42.00
Lena Corwin. A Guide to Printing with Handmade Stamps, Stencils, and Silk Screens. Learn the three primary methods for creating printing tools then printing by hand: stenciling, stamping, and screen printing. Step- by-step instructions and detailed how-to photographs make each imaginative project easy to execute with either Corwin’s original artwork or one’s own design. Projects range from stationary and clothing to furniture and wall embellishments. 144pp. Hb.

Shire Classics: Discovering Bells and Bellringing - $12.00
John Camp. This book explains for the layman and the beginner what change-ringing is about, why it is unique to Britain, and how it was developed. 64pp. Pb.

Shire Classics: Discovering Corn Dollies - $12.00
M Lambeth. Corn Dollies have played a significant part in rural folklore all over the world. This book explores some of the ancient myths behind the making of straw figures, such as the belief that making offerings to the gods would ensure a plentiful harvest. Key techniques of straw plaiting are explained and illustrated, and many of the traditional designs of the dolly, as well as some modern examples, are described. 40pp. Pb.

Shire Classics: Discovering Dowsing and Divining - $12.00
Peter Naylor. Dowsing and divining - the tracing of underground water, minerals, pipes or cables. This book sets out to prove that anyone can dowse, and it also dispels the commonly accepted myth that dowsing is a gift enjoyed by a few practitioners. 48pp. Pb.

Shire Classics: Discovering English Dialects - $12.00
Martyn Wakelin. As long ago as the 1720s Daniel Defoe was pondering on the eccentricities of English dialects, and three hundred or so years before him John Trevisa had censured ‘all the language of the Northumbrians’ as harsh and incomprehensible. Variety in English speech is thus of some antiquity, and the old dialects used in areas like the Yorkshire Dales and rural East Anglia are as substantial a part of the Englishman’s living heritage as are his ancient buildings. This book describes the most significant features of English regional dialects, including in its scope the ancient vocabulary of the North, enriched by borrowings from medieval Norsemen, the important north/north midland dialect boundary, old forms of nouns like housen and childer and the remaining traces of extinct Cornish. The complex problems of the ‘mixed dialects’ of towns also receive attention. A chapter on occupational and specialised vocabularies gives examples of regional terminology associated with such traditional industries as fishing and mining and also bird and plant names and children’s language. 64pp. Pb.

Shire Classics: Discovering English Folk Dance - $17.00
Hugh Rippon. There are not many countries where the traditional dances, songs and music of the past have become so successfully integrated into modern everyday life as they have in England. This book tells the uninitiated where they may see folk dancing in England and how they may join in if they wish.The history and evolution of the dances that have survived and their regional variations are described, and an attempt is made to explain the origins and meanings, for example the handkerchiefs and bells in the morris dance and the lock of swords in the sword dance, and what difference there may be between English and Scottish country dancing. The book also covers such well-known folk-dance celebrations as the Padstow and Minehead hobby horse dances and the Helston Furry Dance. 96pp. Pb.

Shire Classics: Discovering Heraldry - $17.00
Jacqueline Fearn. Heraldry’s unfamiliar terminology tends to discourage people from learning more about this fascinating subject. But heraldic language is essential for the precise description of a coat of arms and is soon learned with a little practice. This book provides an introduction, explaining each term with illustrations and text and expounding the basic principles so the reader will understand what a coat of arms consists of and the rules that govern its arrangement. He will find that heraldry is an intriguing study as a colourful art in its own right as well as for its relevance to genealogy and other subjects. 96pp. Pb.

Shire Classics: Discovering Herbs - $17.00
Kay N Sanecki. Since the early 1970s herbs have been recognized as part of our cultural heritage and many are now familiar garden plants. Others of ancient cultivation are now collectors' items in the authentic herb garden. In this book the author includes a wide range of such plants, discussing their background, care and cultivation, their properties and propagation. Medicinal plants, pot herbs, culinary delights, household sweeteners, dye plants and those with fragrance are all included. This is a book for both beginner and enthusiast. 136pp. Pb.

Shire Classics: Discovering Hill Figures - $17.00
Kate Bergamar. There are more than thirty major figures cut out of the grass on Britain’s hillsides; cut as religious symbols, way markers, or as decoration to the landscape. Often, although prominently placed, the figures are overlooked, and in this book the author describes their exact location, the best point to view them and their history and legends. 104pp. Pb.

Shire Classics: Discovering Old Board Games - $12.00
R C Bell. This book contains descriptions of sixty board games, drawn from an immense range of history – from 3000 BC through to the turn of the nineteenth century. Accounts of these games have been gleaned from archaeological reports, traveller’s tales, anthropological studies and foreign-language accounts of games, translated into English for the first time. Using the detailed text and fifty-nine diagrams it is possible for the reader to construct their own boards and pieces and enjoy hours of play. Perfect for toy and game collectors, this book can also bring something different to family occasions – instead of the usual board games, why not play a number game that was once popular among the intelligentsia of the middle ages? 80pp. Pb.

Shire Publications: Agricultural Hand Tools - $13.00
Roy Brigden. A range of tools, once familiar to the farmworker, gradually became obsolete during the twentieth century. This album describes these tools and the farming processes they performed in the period before the general dominance of the tractor and combine harvester.A range of tools, once familiar to the farmworker, gradually became obsolete during the twentieth century. This album describes these tools and the farming processes they performed in the period before the general dominance of the tractor and combine harvester.32pp. Pb.

Shire Publications: Almshouses - $16.00
Anna Hallett. Almshouses - shelter offered by religious institutions to needy elderly people - come in a variety of architectural styles and often have interesting features, including coats of arms, clock-towers and sundials, many have chapels and gardens. 64pp. Pb.

Shire Publications: Ancient Boats And Ships - $18.00
Sean McGrail. After an introduction to the topic of maritime archaeology and account of the way maritime archaeologists work, the author describes the building and use of rafts, boats and ships in north-west Europe up to about 1500. The evidence for early sea voyages and for navigation without instruments is also surveyed. 72pp. Pb.

Shire Publications: Architecture In Roman Britain - $18.00
Guy de la Bedoyere. The Roman period was Britain's great architectural age, though this is difficult to appreciate from the ruinous state of the sites that survive. This book looks at how in a few years Britain witnessed the design and erection of an astonishing range of buildings, from mundane and functional houses through to temples and civil engineering projects. 72pp. Pb.

Shire Publications: Bellfounding - $13.00
Trevor S Jennings. The age-old craft of bellfounding involves specialised techniques and equipment that have been passed down through generations and are still used today. For centuries, the large bells in churches, clocks and public buildings throughout Britain have been cast, hung, and tuned by bellfounders and this book surveys the history of bell production and the development of moulding and casting techniques. To achieve the correct pitch each bell would be hand corrected with a hammer and chisel, an extremely noisy process which continued until the nineteenth century when the mechanised lathe was introduced. This book describes the intricate tuning process and the role of the bellfounder and specially prepared photographs illustrate the production process of some of the most famous foundries in Britain, such as those at Whitechapel and Loughborough. 32pp. Pb.

Shire Publications: Board And Table Game Antiques - $13.00
R C Bell. Amongst the collectable items to be found in antique shops and stalls are board and table games and objects pertaining to them, which may not be easily recognised out of context. This book illustrates many board games, as well as dice, dominoes, mah-jong and playing cards and describes some techniques of construction. 32pp. Pb.

Shire Publications: Bricks And Brickmaking - $13.00
Martin Hammond. Bricks were introduced to Britain by the Romans and reintroduced by Flemish craftsmen in the middle ages. Until the early nineteenth century they were made in numerous small brickyards supplying local needs, but eventually increasing demand led to the invention of improved brickmaking machines and kilns. This book gives an insight into the surprising variety of bricks, as well as a brief history of brickmaking, descriptions of hand and machine moulding, drying, the use of kilns and firing. Despite competition from newer materials, brick still holds its own as a facing material and traditional methods still survive in the smaller yards. 32pp. Pb.

Shire Publications: Buckles - $16.00
Gillian Meredith. The humble buckle is often a taken-for-granted fastening, yet its usefulness and sturdiness has ensured that it has survived from ancient times through to the present day. The author provides a comprehensive typology of buckles, from the earliest designs to the most recent uses. With detailed records of the types of buckles from different historical periods and listings of museums where they can be found, this book offers the re-enactor essential guidance for period costumes, and provides the collector or enthusiast with the information needed to continue or begin to learning about this enduring and practical object. 56pp. Pb.

Shire Publications: Candle Lighting - $13.00
David J Eveleigh. This book looks at the types of candles which have been used over the centuries, and describes the various methods of manufacture. With reference to sources such as household inventories from the 16th century, the changing styles of candlesticks are followed. 32pp. Pb.

Shire Publications: Celtic Coinage in Britain - $18.00
Philip de Jersey. A general introduction to Celtic coinage in Britain. It analyses how and why the coins were made, and explains how the coins and the images they carry can reveal information on the political, economic and social life of the Celts. 56pp. Pb.

Shire Publications: Celtic Crosses of Britain and Ireland - $16.00
Malcolm Seaborne. Ring-headed crosses of impressive height and intricate design were first erected in Iona and Ireland from the eighth century onwards. This book deals with these but also shows how they were the culmination of a long period of development during the early Christian period. The early sculpture of Wales, Cornwall, the Isle of Man, Scotland and Ireland is examined against the background of the spread of Christian beliefs and practices. Examples selected from the whole of the Celtic west between the fifth and eleventh centuries are discussed and illustrated. A bibliography and list of places to visit are also included. 64pp. Pb.

Shire Publications: Charcoal and Charcoal Burning - $13.00
D W Kelley. This book describes the rapid growth of the charcoal industry up to the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries and how the emphasis of development changed to the production and refining of charcoal's by-products - acetic acid, tar and wood spirit - for the textile industry and the rapidly growing chemical industries. 32pp. Pb.

Shire Publications: Church Clocks - $16.00
Hugh Rock. Since the medieval period, mechanical clocks located in churches across Britain have told the time to local communities, or displayed the phases of the moon and the heavens on an elaborate astrological face. Focusing on some of the most noteworthy church clocks in Britain, and the intriguing stories behind them, this book traces the history of church clocks from the wealthy abbeys and cathedrals of the medieval period, through the gentle developments and refinements that made clocks more accurate and easier to maintain, to the electronic movements of the present day that are steadily making redundant historic clocks that have served for centuries. 64pp. Pb.

Shire Publications: Cidermaking - $13.00
Michael B Quinion. Cider has been made in pastoral areas of Britain and north-western Europe since ancient times and the techniques of rural cider makers are still in use today. This book explains the methods and traditions of the rustic orchardist and farm cider maker and describes the procedures of the travelling Victorian with his portable cider mill and press. The author also discusses modern, factory-based cider production, influenced by the time-honoured customs of the past, yet adapted to producing large quantities of cider for the mass consumer markets of the twentieth century. 32pp. Pb.

Shire Publications: Corn Milling - $16.00
Martin Watts. Corn milling – the reduction of hard cereal grains to form a usable foodstuff – is one of the oldest crafts. While windmills and watermills are given deserved notice, the milling process and the modern development of the industry are usually taken for granted. The history of milling is exceptional in the necessity of the process and its continuing importance, and its unique buildings and machines, which had a marked effect on contemporary technology. This book provides a window into the milling industry, covering both traditional and modern mills and presenting a working picture of the industry. 64pp. Pb.

Shire Publications: Dovecotes - $13.00
Peter Hansell. This book explains why it was important to keep pigeons and describes the wide variety of buildings that were constructed to house them over the years. 40pp. Pb.

Shire Publications: Dry Stone Walls - $13.00
Lawrence Garner. This book explains the reasons for building dry stone walls, the story of their development, technical details of their construction, regional styles and the state of the craft today. 40pp. Pb.

Shire Publications: Early Anglo-Saxon Coins - $18.00
Gareth Williams. Coins are among the most important sources of information for the Anglo-Saxon period. In addition to what they tell us about the Anglo-Saxon economy, the combination of inscriptions and images provide evidence about kingship, religion and cultural identity. Written by one of the foremost experts on Anglo-Saxon coins, this book provides an overview of Anglo-Saxon coins in their historical context, drawing on recent finds as well as famous treasures to provide an authoritative account of current interpretations. It covers the period from the Anglo-Saxon settlements of the fifth century, through the emergence of the great kingdoms of Kent, East Anglia, Mercia, Northumbria and Wessex, to the Viking invasions of the mid-ninth century and the conquest of all the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms apart from the Wessex of Alfred the Great. 64pp. Pb.

Shire Publications: Early Firearms 1300-1800 - $16.00
Michael Spencer. This book provides a general summary of the history of European firearms, from the earliest designs which appeared during the Middle Ages through to the mechanised weapon production of the Industrial Revolution. Covering the dual inventions of gunpowder and the gun, the development of reliable firing mechanisms, improvements in accuracy and rate of fire and the revolutionary changes brought about by the application of scientific and industrial processes, Michael Spencer explains the technical evolution of the firearm and analyses what drove these changes.Built around an accurate dating framework, this is an invaluable resource for both military historians and firearms collectors, and includes an array of illustrations of rare firearms, difficult to find elsewhere in print. 48pp. Pb.

Shire Publications: Falconry - $16.00
Emma Ford. The relationship established between man and bird is central to the ancient sport of falconry; to earn the trust of the bird, the falconer must show a great deal of patience, skill and intuition. This volume traces the history of falconry, providing a detailed guide as to how it is practised today. Emma Ford, a falconer since the age of six, describes the equipment required for the sport and, using photographs of the popular species, explains the characteristics that make them ideal hunting birds. With an emphasis on the contribution falconers make to the conservation of wild birds, this book is a complete guide to a sport that has remained largely unchanged for centuries. 48pp. Pb.

Shire Publications: The Felt Industry - $13.00
Peter Walter. The woollen felt industry has now virtually disappeared, but it was once a flourishing and energetic trade that exploded onto the textile scene in 1840. During its ascendancy the felt trade created many of the key industries that are now taken for granted, such as roofing felt production, shoe manufacture, and soft toys. Nowadays, hand felt making as a craft is flourishing internationally, with craft workers rediscovering the products and versatility that made the felt industry famous. This book records the history, personalities and impact of the British industry, in the hope that felt can continue to re-establish itself as an eco-friendly, sustainable material suitable for the modern age. 56pp. Pb.

Shire Publications: Flax and Linen - $13.00
Patricia Baines. Flax has been cultivated for thousands of years to produce the fibre to make linen. This book gives an account of the processes and tools involved in the production of linen from flax. The traditional methods, when the work was done by hand, are described, as well as some of the improvements and machines that have been developed. 32pp. Pb.

Shire Publications: Glass And Glassmaking - $13.00
Roger Dodsworth. A general introduction to the vast and complex subject of glass, not only the history and technology of glassmaking but also the social background of the lives of the glassmakers. 32pp. Pb.

Shire Publications: Later Celtic Art - $18.00
Lloyd Laing. During the fifth and sixth centuries AD a magnificent art flowered in Britain and Ireland. Arguably it was the most accomplished ever to emerge out of barbarian Europe. The art is astonishing, exuberant yet based on careful geometric layout. First developed in Britain, it reached its greatest heights in Ireland from the seventh century onwards and was revitalised by the Vikings, to survive in both Ireland and Britain until the Normans. This book discusses both metalwork and manuscripts, and sets them in the wider perspective of the artistic traditions of the time. 56pp. Pb.

Shire Publications: Lead And Leadmining - $13.00
Lynn Willies. Leadmining was an important industry in Britain from the time of the Romans until the late nineteenth century - its remains are to be found scattered in and under the hills of Cornwall, Devon, the Mendips, the Pennines, the Lake District, Wales, the Isle of Man and Scotland. From the thousands of early small mines, worked generally under medieval laws, leadmining by the eighteenth century was forced to use capital-intensive methods to cope with deeper deposits and great inflows of water, including very long levels and steam engines. Lead smelters, too, had to adapt,and developed new furnaces and used spectacular flues and chimneys in otherwise wild landscapes to reduce pollution problems. By the 1880s, however, imports killed the industry - and only three mines have been successful since, all now closed. This is the complete and detailed history of this one vital industry. 32pp. Pb.

Shire Publications: Limekilns And Limeburning - $13.00
Richard Williams. Disused limekilns in various degrees of dilapidation can be seen all over Britain. The best known are probably those near harbours or coves but there are many on farmland, in disused quarries or beside inland waterways. Limeburning appears to have been practised in prehistoric times in the Middle East but the more extensive use of lime for mortar and agricultural manure may be attributed to the Romans. In this book the author describes the development of limeburning, the different types of limekiln and siting considerations. 32pp. Pb.

Shire Publications: Medicine and Healthcare in Roman Britain - $18.00
Nicholas Summerton. This book examines the archaeological, epigraphic and literary evidence for health care in Roman Britain, set in the context of the Roman Empire. It covers individual medical care, public health and the relationship between religion and medicine. 72pp. Pb.

Shire Publications: Medieval Masons - $16.00
Malcolm Hislop. This book explains in detail the practice of masoncraft in the Middle Ages, using evidence from a number of sources. Monastic chronicles, building contracts and other contemporary documents have already revealed a good deal of information on the subject, but less attention has, until now, been paid to archaeological evidence preserved in numerous surviving Medieval buildings. Dr Hislop investigates how a study of certain features in these buildings, such as the stonework and building joints, can contribute to our knowledge of working practices of masons in medieval England. By focusing on how to interpret clues in the building structure, this account provides a practical guide to pursuing the study of masonry, and helps the reader to understand and identify the medieval mason’s approach to design and constructional techniques. 64pp. Pb.

Shire Publications: Medieval Roads and Tracks - $18.00
Paul Hindle. The medieval economy was centred on a phenomenal growth in trade of all kinds of goods, yet few have studied the actual network of roads that was so vital to medieval trading. Starting with the basic concept of a ‘road’ in medieval times, and discussing the increasing need to travel, this book explores the evidence from documents and maps that provide clues as to where the roads of medieval Britain led, connecting the study of individual roads together to paint an image of the broader road network. The author also uses findings from archaeological surveys and bird’s-eye-view photographs to trace the centuries-old routes and illustrate the winding tracks that once carried goods to market. 64pp. Pb.

Shire Publications: Medieval Tiles - $13.00
Hans van Lemmen. During the Middle Ages decorative floor tiles were used in abbey churches, royal palaces, parish churches and the homes of wealthy citizens. Many medieval tiles disappeared during nineteenth-century restorations but the designs lived on in the copies made by Victorian tile manufacturers. The British Museum has a collection of these tiles. 40pp. Pb.

Shire Publications: Nailmaking - $13.00
Hugh Bodey. Today, nails are such an ordinary and widespread object that it may come as a surprise to learn that the range of shapes and sizes available now is but a fraction of those made in the nineteenth century. This illustrated account charts the history of nailmaking, from the Romans, through the middle ages, to the industry of the nineteenth century and the factories of the twentieth, relating the fluctuating demand for nails and nailers to the social and political context of the time, and explaining the types of nail made and the development of nailmaking methods over the years. 32pp. Pb.

Shire Publications: Needlemaking - $13.00
John G Rollins. The materials used in needle making can be traced from the thorns of early man, through hand made wood, bone and steel varieties, to the first machine-made needles in 1851. This book traces the history of needles and needle making, touching upon the forces that influenced the development of the materials used, and the skills needed by the craftsmen. The author explores the experiences of the craftsman and their families, and the commercial pressure that moulded their lives. 32pp. Pb.

Shire Publications: Needlework And Embroidery Tools - $13.00
Eleanor Johnson. As manufactured goods became more easily available, ladies developed crafts such as needlework, to occupy their increased leisure time. This book illustrates and describes over 200 items used by Victorian and Edwardian ladies in their needlecrafts. It includes needlecases, scissors, tape-measures, thread waxers, pincushions and thimbles. 40pp. Pb.

Shire Publications: Old Poultry Breeds - $13.00
Fred Hams. During the 1960s many of the old breeds of poultry almost died out, but there is now a growing interest in these animals. This book illustrates many breeds of chicken, their history and development. There is also a chapter on turkeys. 40pp. Pb.

Shire Publications: Pargeting - $13.00
Tim Buxbaum. Pargeting is the decoration of plastered and rendered finishes on the outside of a building. It is associated mainly with East Anglia, but there is a revival of interest in the technique. This study describes how craftsmen are being commissioned to renew their acquaintance with pargeting. 32pp. Pb.

Shire Publications: Peat And Peatcutting - $16.00
Ian D Rotherham. For thousands of years peat was the main fuel that that warmed houses all over the British Isles, and the mark of the peat cutter is written deep in the landscape. This book is a celebration of a cultural history that extended from the Iron Age to the twentieth century. It tells the story of the use of peat for fuel in the British Isles, and the people who cut it. It also examines the methods of cutting, the tools that were used, and the organization of cutting. It chronicles the beginning of commercial extraction and the exhaustion of this precious resource. 64pp. Pb.

Shire Publications: Ploughs and Ploughing - $13.00
Roy Brigden. One of the most basic of agricultural operations, ploughing enriches and aerates the soil, producing a fertile seed bed ideal for the germination and growth of a new crop. The technology of ploughs has progressed a long way from the primitive prehistoric ard to the tractor-mounted power-controlled multi-furrow reversible plough of today but the process of ploughing remains essentially the same. This book examines the development of ploughs and their motive power (including oxen, horses, steam engines and tractors) from earliest times and shows how ploughing has evolved as man’s understanding of the scientific processes has increased. 32pp. Pb.

Shire Publications: Privies and Water Closets - $16.00
David J Eveleigh. Although Thomas Crapper is most commonly associated with the invention of the flushing toilet, his models were in fact the result of a long line of improvements to earlier designs which date back to ancient times. This book is an ideal introduction to the history of the toilet, tracing its development from the primitive - and very smelly - privy maiden to today’s one-piece, all-ceramic WC. Illustrated with superb photographs, this book tells the story of the lavatory, from the Elizabethan era to the modern day. 64pp. Pb.

Shire Publications: Quarries And Quarrying - $13.00
Peter Stanier. Whether they are still operational or long-abandoned, Quarries are often dismissed as eyesores. Despite this, they can be fascinating to visit, and provide an interesting link to a once-powerful and necessary industry. Although the Romans worked quarries, it was not until the Middle Ages that the industry became established on a large scale. It then achieved its height during the nineteenth century in response to industrialisation and the associated demand for stone. The book deals with the extraction methods of various types of stone and the rise and slow decline of quarrying across the UK. While telling the history of quarrying, it also covers some of the most famous and notable quarrying sites. 32pp. Pb.

Shire Publications: Real Tennis - $13.00
Kathryn McNicoll. This book gives an overview of the game, looking particularly at its history, other related ball games, its equipment and rules, its heroes, villains and victims. 40pp. Pb.

Shire Publications: Rope, Twine And Net Making - $13.00
Anthony Sanctuary. Since ancient times rope, twine and nets have been used for the essential elements of survival – hunting, roofing and bedding – yet in today’s modern world they are often taken for granted. This book charts the history of the ancient crafts of rope, twine and net making, describing the traditional fibres and techniques used, as well as the modern machines and man-made fibres that took their place. With a detailed explanation of the skills of net fitting and rigging, and a list of places to visit, this Shire classic is illustrated throughout with black and white photographs showing how the methods of rope, twine and net making have evolved over the years. 32pp. Pb.

Shire Publications: The Salt Industry - $16.00
Andrew Fielding. Salt can be obtained by evaporation from sea water or inland from brine springs, and following the discovery of rock salt deposits it has also been mined. This book explains the various processes by which salt is obtained and traces the history of the industry in Britain. 56pp. Pb.

Shire Publications: Shoemaking - $13.00
June Swann. Before the 1920s everyone knew the local cobbler, a worthy representative of the ‘gentle craft’, who repaired shoes and made them look like new for a few pence. This book tells the story of shoemaking from the days of the isolated shoemaker, who made a shoe right through, to the groups of men who worked with apprentices in larger towns and served the customer direct. It shows the growth of mass production in the seventeenth century. Finally the book shows the late development of mechanisation in the 1850s and the rigidity it imposed. 32pp. Pb.

Shire Publications: The Silk Industry - $13.00
Sarah Bush. Silk was first developed in ancient China as early as 2600 BC, and over the centuries that followed it gradually spread first to South East Asia and then to the Middle East, North Africa and Europe along the silk route, becoming established in England in the fourteenth century. The early centres of the English silk industry, Spitalfields, Norwich and Canterbury, benefited from the arrival of the Dutch or Huguenot silk workers, and in 1718 the first factory system for producing silk was begun in Derby. This book traces the legendary silk route from China to the UK and explores the developments in silk production once it reached Europe, the changes to the loom, the popularity of silk clothing, and the industry’s struggle with the removal of tariff protection. After reaching its peak in 1850, the industry began to decline with the introduction of Cobden’s Free Trade Treaty of 1860, and was further diminished by the advent of artificial silk. Sarah Bush guides us through the ups and downs of the silk industry and provides a perfect introduction to the history of this ancient process. 32pp. Pb.

Shire Publications: Spinning and Spinning Wheels - $13.00
Eliza Leadbeater. Spinning and Spinning Wheels traces the evolution of the ancient skill of spinning, from the early spindle, through the introduction of the wool and the flax wheel, to the numerous variations of the wheel in Europe and North America. The author surveys these different models and explains the principles of spinning that have essentially remained the same for generations. Providing insight into the mechanics of the U-flyer and the tools and accessories used in the craft, this volume is a timeless and valuable source of information to craftsmen, collectors and historians. 32pp. Pb.

Shire Publications: Sundials - $16.00
Christopher St J. H. Daniel. Sundials have played an important role in regulating the daily life of mankind throughout Europe and the British Isles. This text describes and illustrates each particular class of sundial likely to be found on buildings, in churchyards, public squares, and remote countryside locations. 48pp. Pb.

Shire Publications: Textiles in Archaeology - $18.00
John Peter Wild. Growing enthusiasm for handspinning and weaving as studio crafts and increasing awareness of the value of organic materials have led to wider interest in archaeological textiles. Although textiles are not common finds, textile implements are, and this book shows how both contribute to our appreciation of a universal ancient craft. Geographically this book is concerned with Britain and Europe and in time ranges from the neolithic to the medieval period. The processes of spinning and weaving are explained and illustrated and the reader is taken through early textile manufacture. Unusual textile terms are explained and illustrated in a glossary. 72pp. Pb.

Shire Publications: Thatch and Thatching - $16.00
Jacqueline Fearn. Thatching is a craft most people know nothing about and which is commonly thought to be dying out. This book outlines the history of thatching in Britain from its use as the commonest form of roofing and explains how the thatcher works with his traditional materials. 64pp. Pb.

Shire Publications: Tudor England - $18.00
Derek Wilson. The Tudor period was a time of massive social change in England with growing cities, increasing trade, and growing stability after the chaos of the Wars of the Roses. Despite military preparations in every county, and the establishment of a new navy, the country was generally at peace, and England and Wales were becoming more closely integrated. Religious changes affected every person, with the Reformation bringing change to most corners of the country, and the dissolution of the monasteries allowing those with cash to build new estates, and removing the traditional schools and hospitals. Derek Wilson offers insight into the world of Tudor England – revealing what it was really like to live in a period of great growth, and the difference between living in the city and the country. 80pp. Pb.

Shire Publications: The Village Shop - $16.00
Lin Bensley. Once the social and commercial core of the rural community, the village shop has become as much the victim of the accelerating pace of social and economic change as the parish school and pub, and has now almost entirely disappeared from everyday life. This book charts the development and history of the village shop and it’s slow demise. 48pp. Pb.

Shire Publications: Walled Kitchen Gardens - $16.00
Susan Campbell. Walled kitchen gardens were found in the grounds of most large country houses in Britain and Ireland. They were designed to provide a continual supply of fruit, flowers and vegetables. The remains of these gardens can still be seen, some converted to other uses, some simply abandoned. This book examines the history of these old kitchen gardens. 56pp. Pb.

Shire Publications: Watermills - $16.00
Martin Watts. Water power has been used for over 2000 years. This book explains the history and development of watermills as working buildings and the importance of the wider appreciation of the built environment and the use of natural sources of power. 56pp. Pb.

Shire Publications: Wattle and Daub - $13.00
Paula Sunshine. Sticks (wattle) and clay or earth (daub) has been used to fill gaps in wooden framework buildings. This book explains the technique and mysteries surrounding this building method. 40pp. Pb.

Shire Publications: Woodworking Tools - $13.00
Philip Walker. Wood is nature’s greatest gift to man. From prehistoric times we have used it to make our houses, containers, vehicles and implements. For this reason the story of the tools and techniques with which man has learned to manipulate wood has special interest. The basic types were already established in Roman times. Indeed, apart from any machinery, a Roman carpenter suddenly transported into a modern workshop would soon feel at home and be able to carry on his job. This book gives an idea of what the basic woodworking tools were like in the main historical periods and shows something of the astonishing variety of forms which these basic tools have assumed at different times and in different places. 56pp. Pb.

Shire Publications: The Woollen Industry - $13.00
Chris Aspin. Most places in Britain have had some connection with the woollen industry. This book traces the history of wool in Britain from Prehistoric times, and uses many illustrations to illuminate its story. 32pp. Pb.

Shire Publications: Working Oxen - $13.00
Martin Watts. For thousands of years British fields were ploughed not by horses but by oxen, usually working in teams of two or four, noted for their strength, docility and economy. This is a survey of their use in Britain, their impact upon the countryside, and the relics that can still be found: yokes, bows, shoes, housing and place-names. Martin Watts is curator of the Ryedale Folk Museum in North Yorkshire. 32pp. Pb.

Tan Your Hide - $18.00
Phyllis Hobson. Here is explained just what you need to tan your own leather and fur, and all the steps involved in doing it right. The end result is a handsome and durable homemade article that will last for many years. And once you have tanned your furs and leathers, the second half of the book tells you how to make basic fur and leather products, with patterns you can follow for certain success. 135pp. Pb.

Treasury of Medieval Illustrations - $19.00
Paul Lacroix, Carol Belenger Grafton. In this artful look back at the fascinating facets of medieval society, the realms and reveries of the Middle Ages unfold. More than 750 black-and-white illustrations depict warriors, scholars, architectural elements, musicians, celebrations, calligraphy, beasts of myth and legend, and much more. Each crisp image has been meticulously reproduced from rare sources. Dover Original. 128pp. Pb.

Wheat Weaving & Straw Craft: From Simple Plaits to Exquisite Designs - $15.00
Morgyn G Owens-Celli. This ancient folk art begins with basic plaits and progresses to knots and spirals. In fact, the author spent 6,000 hours over a 5-year period designing and constructing a spiral castle which is photographed in the book in its finished glory. Nonetheless, the book was written for all levels and the chapters are filled with designs rated for various skill levels. You start off by learning the 6 hand positions and how to make basic plaits. Purses, hats, and decorations are a few of the possibilities. In all, 34 projects are shown with clear directions, concise text, and closeup photos. 143pp. Pb.