Wigan A History to the Interregnum

Encyclopaedic in size and scope, copiously illustrated, 'Wigan a History to the Interregnum' is the first major pre-industrial history of the town since 1888. Grimy old Wigan with no history but that of mills, mines and slagheaps: but is that really true? If you think you know Wigan, think again. Exploring every nook and ginnel the author makes new discoveries, gains new insights to illuminate the town's past: mediaeval Wigan was among the most important commercial centres in England. The ancient town is another country, a cavalcade of characters good and less so walk its pebbled streets which do not invariably lead to pleasant destinations. The political mésalliance between Church and Corporation is examined as is the impact of three changes of state religion within 25 years: and the sometimes less than devout behaviour of the vicars who were simultaneously lords of the manor. As much as lords and ladies the author looks at the lot of the peasantry, the lowest of whom were by another name slaves. The social integration of women is traced through Saxon 'enlightenment' and Norman' repression' to opportunities created by the cyclical plagues of the Late Middle Ages. Incidentally we find that Wigan was axial to the successful campaign of the Women's Suffrage and Political Union, for whom a Wigan man was the first Parliamentary candidate. So, if you want to know what an 'inspexsimus' was, who Elidyr Llythanwyn was, or why Sir Isaac Newton asked Wigan for help with a major project: ladies and gentlemen, read on.