Interest in local history just continues to grow. For the professional and amateur alike, in the context of the local experience the past becomes real and immediate, as the stories of individuals, families and communities emerge from our research. And now more than ever, a wealth of primary and secondary source material is within everyone's reach. This invaluable book, written by one of our most eminent and experienced local historians, and now completely updated, provides clear, wise and always practical advice about the process of research and writing. It gives essential guidance on a wide range of key topics, including finding sources; transcribing, analysing and interpreting evidence; writing; historical perspectives and methods; and ways to present and publish the finished product. Using examples and exercises the author guides the reader through the whole process. Written with humour and understanding, and attractively illustrated, this book is an enjoyable and fascinating introduction to the subject, especially useful to those who enjoy local history but wish to write and possibly publish, and to students on local history courses who want authoritative guidance on the preparation of dissertations and theses.

The annual expenditure accounts recorded in this Register provide a complete picture of a Cluniac monastery during its last 60 years. Part 2 publishes the accounts for the years 1518-1540 and also contains biographical and other appendices and full indexes. Part 1 (019-7261604), which covers the period 1482-1517, and Part 2 together provide an invaluable resource for historians of Norfolk and of monastic life in the run up to the Reformation.

The annual expenditure accounts recorded in this Register provide a marvellously complete picture of a Cluniac monastery during its last 60 years. A medium-sized house containing about 15 monks, Thetford Priory was well-endowed and under the patronage of the Howard Dukes of Norfolk, but the Register was probably compiled to help regulate expenditure at a time of financial strain. The accounts provide important evidence for many aspects of monastic and outside life, including liturgy, obits and corrodies, the provisioning of the household, farming, taxation, legal disputes, and entertainments. Part 1 contains an introduction, glossary, and accounts for the years 1482-1517. The accounts up to 1540, in which can be traced the priory's strenuous attempts to survive, will be published in Part 2, which will also include biographical and other appendices and full indexes. Together these volumes will provide an invaluable resource for historians of Norfolk and of monastic life in the run up to the Reformation.