Secret Salisbury

Salisbury is renowned for having the tallest church spire in the UK, being home to an original copy of the Magna Carta, and having a close association with the world heritage site at Stonehenge. Yet if the veil is lifted on this seemingly conservative small city, it has an intriguing and riveting hidden history, with a sometimes cursed association with the gypsy community, a rotten borough with more sheep than voters, and one of the only places in the 21st century where romantic courting may lead you to court. Salisbury was an important medieval town witnessing burnings, hangings, and beheadings, and while it was held at different times by both Royalists and Parliamentarians during the Civil War, it remained largely unscathed. The city was largely bypassed by the industrial revolution, leaving much of its historic heritage relatively untouched and still accessible to the modern visitor. It has been the subject of and sometimes home to a number of famous artists, writers, and soldiers, and the local MPs traditionally have to "sing for their supper." The authors take you on a tour of the dark, deadly, and lesser known aspects of Salisbury's history, sometimes funny, sometimes tragic, occasionally astounding, but always fascinating.

Carol Dixon-Smith taught history at secondary level before going on to research the subject for academic purposes. She has been a full-time Bookseller and Events Manager for many years, is the founder and Director of the Thames Valley History Festival, and is an active member of the Windsor Local History Group as well as Editor of their journal Windlesora. Catherine has a BA in History and Archaeology, an MA in Local History, enjoying focusing on the development of towns and cities and the social and economic effects on people, their occupations and social mobility. She has also conducted wide-ranging research in Family History. Having been employed in both curatorial and education roles in museums, Catherine has given many talks over the years on topics related to her work and research.