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Question
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I would like some information about Alton Priors and the people who lived there in the past.
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Question asked on
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20 September 2005
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Answer
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Not a great deal has been written about Alton Priors although there is some information in 'A History of Wiltshire', Vol. 11 (OUP, 1980) in the Victoria County History article on Overton. Alton Priors was a detached part of the parish of Overton. Augustus Hare became rector at Alton in the mid 19th century and there is some information about living in the area in volume 1 of his book, 'Memorials of a Quiet Life' (1874). For information on rural life it would be best for you to read books on this period. Two good ones for this area are both written by J.H. Bettey. They are;
Rural Life in Wessex, 1500-1900. Moonraker Press, 1977, 0 239 00172 9
Wessex from AD 1000. Longman, 1986, 0 582 49207 6
Two general books that you may find helpful are;
The English Rural Labourer, by G.E. Fussell, Batchworth Press, 1949
The Village labourer 1760-1832, By J.L. and Barbara Hammond, Alan Sutton, 1911
You will be able to obtain these from your local library.
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Bibliography
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