From its Saxon beginnings to the severe floods of 2007, Tewkesbury is
one of Britain's most remarkable towns. It is well known for its Norman
abbey of cathedral-like proportions and the great battle which proved to
be one of the most decisive in the Wars of the Roses, but its history
contains much more that has often been overlooked. In this book local
author David Elder delves deep into Tewkesbury's lost, forgotten and
hidden histories, recounting some remarkable stories. Learn, for
example, about some of the town's minor celebrities and local
characters - from the seaman who carried Admiral Nelson's wounded body
to the cockpit of HMS Victory, to the miserly tanner who amassed a great
fortune 'for no higher purpose than the sordid desire of seeing it
uselessly accumulate'. The author unearths fascinating facts,
celebrating the town's tradition of nonconformity which led to more than
one riot, and provides fascinating insights into how the town's
inhabitants were once comically portrayed as having sharp features
because it was assumed that they lived on the town's famous hot, pungent
mustard! With tales of remarkable characters, unusual events and
tucked-away or disappeared historical buildings and locations, Secret
Tewkesbury will appeal to all those with an interest in the history of
this town in Gloucestershire.
