Foreword

FOREWORD

THIS volume has been prepared under the supervision of the Wiltshire Victoria County History Committee. The origin and constitution of the committee are described in volumes VII, XI, XIV and XV. The local authorities represented by the committee until March 2009 were Wiltshire County Council and the District Councils of Kennet, Salisbury, North Wiltshire and West Wiltshire. On 1 April 2009, those five bodies were dissolved and replaced by Wiltshire Council, which appointed a new supervisory committee. The University of London expresses its sincere thanks to the councils for their support and collaboration in the production of the History.

The Wiltshire Victoria County History Appeal, set up in 1998 to provide additional support, was awarded charitable status in 2004, and became known as the Wiltshire Victoria County History Appeal Trust (Registered Charity No. 1102882). The University of London thanks the trustees under the chairmanship of Mrs V. C. S. Landell Mills and all those who have contributed funds to the trust.

The University of the West of England (UWE) entered into partnership in 2004 with Wiltshire's Councils and the University of London, bringing mutual benefits. UWE provides funding and academic support for VCH staff, whose work supports the aims of UWE Regional History Centre. The VCH Appeal Trustees fund a postgraduate bursary scheme for research which contributes to the VCH Wiltshire volumes.

This volume was prepared under the editorship of Professor Anthony Fletcher, who retired as Director in December 2003, and Professor John Beckett, Director from September 2005 to August 2010. Dr Douglas Crowley retired in January 2006, having worked as assistant editor for Wiltshire from 1968, and county editor from 1977, directing research on VCH Wiltshire volumes XI–XVIII. The University of London is grateful to him for his years of service, and to all those who have worked on this volume. Dr Crowley was assisted by Dr Carrie Smith (1999–2003), and by Dr Virginia Bainbridge (2004–6), who replaced Dr Crowley as county editor in April 2006. Dr Bainbridge was assisted by Dr James Lee (2006–07), and Dr Alex Craven, who was appointed assistant editor in December 2007. Dr John Chandler made valuable contributions to the volume, including editorial work and information on early settlement history. Mrs Dorothy Treasure of the Wiltshire Buildings Record investigated the history and fabric of many buildings. Mr Robert Pearson assisted the editors in 2008 and Mr Michael Bevan in 2011.

The University of London thanks the many people who have supported the research by granting access to documents and buildings in their ownership or care, by providing information, or by giving advice. Particular thanks go to the Earl of Shaftesbury for allowing access to his muniments at Wimborne St Giles, Dorset. Special mention must be made of the assistance given by the staff of Wiltshire Council Libraries and Heritage services, now located at the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre, Chippenham, especially to the staff of the archives, the local studies library and photographic collections, the County Archaeology service and Wiltshire Buildings Record. Thanks are also due to Ms Cath D'Alton for drawing the maps, and to Mr Michael Hesketh-Roberts of English Heritage for photographic work.

The General Introduction to the Victoria County History (1970), its Supplement (1990) and the Little Big Red Book (2008) give an outline of the structure, aims and progress of the National Series. More information may be found at: http://victoriacountyhistory.ac.uk and additional resources at: http://explore.englandspast foreveryone.org.uk.