
The Woodvilles, as a family, have not always been kindly treated by historians; some criticism is merited, but much of the dismissive criticism is undeserved. Accordingly, a lot of attention has been given to the period between 1464 and 1483 and almost nothing to the Woodville hinterland. By delving into the early history of the Woodvilles, Bryan Dunleavy tries to provide a balanced view of the family and its leading protagonists.
This account of the Woodville family starts with their first mention in the 13th century, through their rise to prominence in Northamptonshire in the 14th century, and through 60 years of royal service to the Lancastrian kings, almost a quarter century of service to the Yorkist kings and their final, less influential years with the Tudors. It was the family’s bad luck to leave no male heirs after 1491 and in that circumstance less power to influence events and its own history.
The last Woodville descendent to create a ripple was Jane Grey, England’s queen for nine days in 1553.

The district was chosen by the Government because it was a quiet rural area, largely free from the risk of bombing raids and it had excellent road, rail and telephonic communications with London.
These centres began a clever and highly subversive campaign to undermine and confuse German intelligence. Highly educated refugees from the Nazi regime were recruited to write propaganda for broadcast to German occupied territory. As the war progressed the operation became more sophisticated and in some instances the frequencies of German radio stations were ‘captured’ and, by mimicking regular announcers, misinformation was successfully broadcast. It was also possible to transmit information decoded by the Bletchley Park operatives to Allied commanders in the field.
The varied operations, based in houses around Woburn and Aspley Guise, Whaddon Hall and later Hanslope Park, and including recording studios at Milton Bryan and transmission bases at Gawcott and Potsgrove, became the work places of some highly intell

The book is a classic product of Victorian interest in local histo-ry, and is reprinted here with an introduction and additional notes by Frederick Moore. Shore is particularly strong when he writes about history that precedes the modern age and many of his stories and commentary are quite valid today.
Shore’s particular gift is his ability to write in a style that can be easily read, and apart from references to to long-forgotten 19th century figures, this book should present no difficulty to the modern reader.

Henry V was able to set sail for France on August 11th and the expedition culminated in the glorious victory at Agincourt on October 25th.
Through odd quirks of fortune two of Richard’s grandchildren became kings of England, as Edward IV and Richard III.
In this book Bryan Dunleavy describes the background to the plot, the assorted plotters and the convergence of people and events on Southampton in July and August 1415.
And there is a twist to the tale. Recent DNA evidence, coupled with historical information, suggests that Richard, Earl of Cam-bridge may not have been a Plantagenet after all!

This book details the hardships and shortages of everyday life in Bletchley during those six years of war. However, the people of Bletchley, just as ever-where else, braced themselves and made the most of it with stoical good humour.
Life went on, and this story of Bletchley folk is expertly presented in great detail by John Taylor.

Five others have associations with the village. Edward the Confessor (1003-1066. According to the Domesday Book, Edward held Titchfield.
William Rufus, William II (1056-1100) gave the estate of Titchfield to Payn de Gisors.
Richard I (1157-1199) took it back from a descendant, Jean de Gisors.
Henry III (1207-1272) granted the estate in 1232 to the Premonstratension Order to build Titchfield Abbey. Edward III (1312-1377) shipped his army from the Solent area to France before the Battle of Crecy Richard II (1367-1400) was the first monarch who is known to have visited Titchfield.
Henry V (1386-1422) came to Titchfield while preparing for the Battle of Agincourt.
Henry VI (1422-1471) married Margaret of Anjou at Titchfield Abbey in 1445.
Edward VI (1537-1603) came to Titchfield in 1552 at the age of 14.
Elizabeth I (1553-1603) reputedly visited Titchfield twice, in 1569 and in 1591.
Charles I (1600-1649) definitely came twice, first with his bride Henrietta in 1625 and in 1647.
Charles II(1630-1685) arrived at Place House in 1675, and James II (1633-1701) visited Titchfield in 1686.

