The Anglican parish is uniquely embedded in English culture and society, by virtue both of its antiquity and close allegiance with secular governance. Yet it remains an elusive and surprisingly overlooked theme, whose `place', theologically, is far from certain. Whilst ecclesiastical history has long formed a pillar of academic training for ordained ministry, ecclesiastical geography has not contributing to the often uninformed assumptions about locality in contemporary church debate and mission strategy. At a time when its relevance and sustainability are being weighed in the balance and with plans progressing for the Church in Wales' abandonment of parochial organisation, there is an urgent need for a clear analysis of the parish's historical, geographical and sociological - as well as theological significance. "Parish" examines the distinctive form of social and communal life created by the Anglican parish: applying and advancing, the emerging discipline of place theology by filling a conspicuous gap in contemporary scholarship. Andrew Rumsey will help in forming a vision for the future of the English parish system, contribute towards the Church's strategy for parochial ministry and also inform the broader national conversation about `localism' and cultural identity.

What is this place we call England? What does it mean to be English? What, indeed, does it mean to be the "Church of England"? Developing the work advanced in his critically acclaimed previous book, Parish: an Anglican Theology of Place, and drawing deeply on his experience of the Wiltshire landscape, English Grounds presents a series of personal essays that explore deep questions around church, place, nature, heritage and Englishness. Written in vividly evocative and lyrical style, these essays by Andrew Rumsey challenge us to think more deeply about the place of the Church in the consciousness of the English, and the place of England in the consciousness of the Church.