First published in 1925, Historical Geography of England and Wales gives a picturesque account of what has come to be recognized as the 'Historical Geography' of Britain south of the Tweed. It begins by showing the geographical causes which lay behind much of the 'culture' of the Stone Ages, etc., the settlement and difficulties of Anglo-Saxon rule, and the apparent ruthlessness of the Conqueror.
The influence of the Medieval church in making the land more habitable is dealt with, as well as the responsibility of the local environment for the different staple-industries, and the change from pastoral and agricultural to industrial England. Passing from the Middle Ages to the impetus given to trade and commerce by the discovery of the New World, the narrative continues with a description of the revolutions of the Modern Period with regard to Road, Water, and Rail Transport, and the geographical evolution of the social communities from free townships with their nuclei of hamlets and villages, to the towns, cities, and 'conurbations' of the day.
This book will be a valuable resource for students and researchers of historical geography.