Foreword

An Inventory of the Historical Monuments in the Town of Stamford. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1977.

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'Foreword', in An Inventory of the Historical Monuments in the Town of Stamford, (London, 1977) pp. vii. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/rchme/stamford/vii [accessed 18 March 2024]

FOREWORD

William Stukeley, the 18th-century antiquary, described Stamford as 'the most elegant town upon the great northern road', and few will disagree with this judgement today. As the site of a river-crossing by one of the great trackways of prehistoric England, as one of the Five Boroughs established under the Danelaw, as a thriving centre in the medieval period, and as a town with Georgian buildings of high architectural quality, Stamford has for long provided material for historians of varying interests. However, a complete inventory of the archaeological remains and the standing buildings has been lacking and it was this deficiency which prompted the Commissioners to choose Stamford as the subject for the present volume. The work was carried out by the staff of the Cambridge office of the Commission. As expected, the investigation of such an historic town revealed a large number of early buildings hidden behind later street-fronts, and it is hoped that by providing a full list of these structures a picture of the extent of Stamford during the medieval and the immediate post medieval periods will be presented. At the same time attention has been paid to the stylistic development of the Classical architecture of the 18th and early 19th centuries. To all who value the retention of early buildings, whether for historical or aesthetic reasons, it is gratifying to note that Stamford has suffered less than many ancient towns. Nevertheless the threat to town buildings is particularly real and it is hoped that this inventory will be of use to those bodies, whether public or private, who are concerned with matters of planning.

The Commissioners have expressed in the Report their thanks for the help which the staff has received from local historians, owners of houses and shops, and many others, and I would like to endorse these words of gratitude.

In accordance with the Commission's practice no major monument has been included in the Inventory which has not been inspected and the account of it checked by one of my fellow Commissioners. Thanks are particularly due to Professor M. W. Barley, Mr. H. M. Colvin, Dr. C. A. R. Radford, Sir John Summerson and Dr. A. J. Taylor in this connection. However, any corrections to the Inventory would be welcomed.

I would draw attention to the fact that the record cards may be consulted by accredited persons who give written notice of their intention to the Secretary of the Commission. Copies of photographs may be bought on application to the National Monuments Record.

ADEANE

Chairman