As Rod Neep is retiring, Archive CD Books Ltd will cease trading and the company will be closed down. The company is not being sold. We expect the close to take place on 30th September 2007, after which this on-line catalogue and ordering will no longer be available.

Any orders received by this date will be processed and posted during the following couple of weeks. Because we expect to be busy making many more CDs than normal please be patient for your delivery.

Catalogue prices shown on these pages are the normal prices, BUT AT THE TIME OF CHECKOUT A 50% DISCOUNT WILL BE APPLIED on all orders where the normal order price is greater than £15.00 (before tax and postage)

Not a descriptive history book, but lists and dates of all Kings, together with lists of Bishops, Dukes, Marquises, Earls, Viscounts, Barons, Baronets, and all the mayors of London. Liberally illustrated with their coats of arms.

The fascinating part is that about the Kings, because it covers the Kings of all the separate kingdoms of England and Wales, i.e. South Britain during Roman times, South Britain post Roman (AD 329), Kingdoms of Kent, South Saxon, West Saxon, East Saxon, East Angles, North Humbers, Mercia, English Saxons (from 455 AD), Kings of England of the Saxon Race (800 AD), The Danish Race (1017 AD), The Normans, and so on unto more modern times.

The Kings of Wales, Man and Wight.

It gives a fascinating insight into the fragmentation of Britain into different kingdoms before the time of the Normans (1066).

These two huge books are absolutely superb. Each contains several volumes, with a topical approach to life, people, places, architecture and fashions, etc. in England from Roman times through to 1860. The author has collected thousands of old engravings to illustrate the work. A double page of text, followed by a double page of illustrations throughout the volumes.

(1891)

Picturesque England in Lay and Legend, Song and Story.

Wonderful historical accounts of seventeen English counties:

Northumberland, Durham, Yorkshire, Cumberland, Westmoreland, Lancashire, Cheshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Warwickshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire.

A compendium set comprising all 15 volumes. Each individual book includes between two and four counties, with the exception of London which is in its own three volume set but is included in the compendium.

Each book is available separately (see individual county topography pages) but this compendium set for the whole of England will save you over 120.00 GBP on the separate CD's which in total cost 160.98 GBP.

The original Gentleman's Magazine contained articles on a vast array of subjects, including lots of wonderful topographical pieces.

In 1891 George Gomme republished all of these topograhical articles but edited and indexed them into county specific order. Each of Gomme's works contains between two and four separate counties, except for the London volumes.

Published in two enormous volumes, this is the complete naval history of England from the Norman conquest to the conclusion of 1734, including details of expeditions and actions undertaken all over the world.

An absolutely fascinating book, the title page states 'A picture of England containing a description of the laws, customs and manners of England. Interspersed with curious and interesting anecdotes.

What makes the book doubly interesting is that it was written by M. D' Archenholz, formerly a captain in the service to the King of Prussia, and is here translated from the original French text. So what we have is a picture of late eighteenth century England from a foreign point of view.

Here is part of the author's view of London;

'As the English are prodigal of their money and their time in favour of every public establishment, one may naturally expect to find that London is well lighted. Nothing indeed, can be more superb. The lamps, which often consist of two, or, three, or sometimes four branches, are enclosed in crystal globes, and being attached to iron supporters, are placed at a small distance from each other. They are lighted at sunset, both in winter and summer, as well when the moon shines or not. In Oxford Street alone, there are more lamps than in all Paris'.

Here are some of the more interesting subjects covered:

THE POPULAR HISTORY OF ENGLAND - AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF SOCIETY AND GOVERNMENT FROM THE EARLIEST PERIOD TO OUR OWN TIMES

by Charles Knight 1856/1862

This 8 volume set is not dated but these are the first editions which took Charles Knight (1791 - 1873 ) 6 years to complete.

With detailed information from B.C. 55 to 1867, and 66 full page steel engravings plus over 1,000 in text illustrations these volumes will give endless hours of absorbing reading.

A comment from Charles Knight in the preface states: I have to observe, that the wood engravings have been selected by me, not as mere embellishments but as illustrations of the text. They will have the advantage, in many cases of presenting a more vivid description, of localities, of monumental remains, of costume, of works of industry and art, of popular amusements; and, in connection with portraits of sovereigns engraved on steel, of remarkable persons, in civil, military, ecclesiastal, and military history.

Each volume has title page, over 4,000 pages in total, plus 66 full page and about 1,000 in text illustrations and a double page plan: London and part of the suburbs after the Great Fire in 1666.

Size of each volume 23.5cm by 15.5cm

SPECIAL OFFER - IN AID OF OUR KENYA SCHOOLS PROJECT - BUY IT AT THE LINK BELOW FOR JUST £10.00

Colonel Hutchinson was one of the major figures in the English Civil War. He was based in Nottingham. This wonderful account of his life was taken from contemporary articles, and letters, many written by his wife.

This is one of the most comprehensive insights to life and events during the Civil War, and particularly in Nottinghamshire.

Interesting memoirs of notorious characters that have been convicted of crimes in England during the eighteenth and nineteenth century. Comprising the stories of traitors, murderers, incendiaries, ravishers, pirates, forgers, impostors, thieves of every description and essays on crime and punishment. The book makes detailed observations about cases including the gory details such as the confessions and last exclamations of prisoners.

Not just the crimes of nobles, but the petty criminals and everyday people too, in their hundreds. Fully searchable and a really juicy read.

Hopefully you won't find your ancestor in here!