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Old and rare Yorkshire books as pdf file downloads

photograph of the book
"The History of Beverley" (Scaum's Beverlac)
by George Scaum, compiled by George Poulson

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produced by Yorkshire CD books ©

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"The History of Beverley" (also known as "Scaum's Beverlac) was compiled by George Poulson and published in 1829. The book contains well over 900 pages, along with 26 illustrations and 6 pedigrees. To buy the book now will cost you around 200 pounds.
The following items from the book are available here on-line:

The above Acrobat files were extracted from the main pdf file and show the quality of the images. You will need at least version 5 of Acrobat to open this file. If you do not have an up to date version please go to the Adobe web-site to obtain a free version of Acrobat Reader.

The book is divided into 2 volumes; the first deals with the town and borough of Beverley, and the second deals with the Minster. The full title of the book from the title page is:

"BEVERLAC, or the Antiquities and History of the town of Beverley in the County of York, and of the Provostry and Collegiate establishment of St. John's", with a minute description of the present Minster and the Church of St. Mary and other Ancient and Modern Edifices. Compiled from authentic records, Charters, and unpublished Manuscripts, with numerous embelishments.
By George Poulson, Esqr .
Late of the University of Oxford.

A review of the book by Phil Holford:

Living in Australia and needing to learn something of Beverley, Yorkshire (an ancestor was born there); I contacted Blunham’s Colin Hinson who, by chance, had a publication ‘hot off the press’. George Scaum ’s “History of Beverley” quickly arrived and was in the computer soon after arrival! From then on, whenever time permitted and at strange times of both night and day, the pages would be slowly scrolling up the screen. (I’ll have to buy a lap-top so I can read CDs in bed!!)

This book has something for almost everyone, not restricted to those interested only in East Yorkshire history. As an avid non-fiction reader I found the history of the town a most interesting read. The role of both Church and Crown in Beverley ’s growth is well documented. The text in the language of the times, and particularly with the abundance of explanatory notes for those no longer used words, made the read so much more enjoyable. Even a hint of humour; was Eustace, Abbot of Fleury, the first Union heavyweight? (Check page 805!)

All the religious institutions are more than adequately covered. St. John’s , the Minster, St. Nicholas and St. Mary ’s receive much attention due to their significance in the town’s history. The independent and non-conformist chapels, the hospitals St. Giles , Trinity and others; the charities and the workhouse; they are all there in a wealth of detail. Lithographs of the institutions and their internal fitments, monumental inscriptions and testamentary burials further embellish the history. Really nothing has escaped the Georges – Scaum and Poulson – writer and compiler respectively.

To me “The History of Beverley” is not just a good history book; it is an extremely good read.

It is, in my opinion, also a terrific resource for those interested in family history generally, not confined to those with Yorkshire roots. The inclusion of ‘Old English’ and Latin documents, the terms and the words of the times, the comprehensive explanatory notes and the ‘Miscellanea’ pages really make it a ‘should have’. This is also not a ‘one read book’. “The History of Beverley” deserves, and needs, to be read and re-read and, thanks to Colin Hinson, the pages cannot be damaged!.

And, finally, from the words of one of Voltaire’s critics:
“These are the minutiae of which posterity is ever most fond. They are the omissions which historians in their grandeur disdain to record, which the humble reader painfully labours to recover”.

I couldn’t have said it better myself!
Phil Holford, February 2005.


List of contents of "The History of Beverley (Beverlac) "

List of illustrations in "The History of Beverley (Beverlac) "

Arms of the borough of Beverley
View of the Minster,
Arms of the Borough of Beverley
Fac Simile of the Rolls of Accounts
View of North Bar
Arms of the Hotham Family
Arms of the Gee Family
Old Seal of theTown
Present Seal of the Town
Seal of the East Riding
View of the old Grammar
An Urn
Arms of the Warton Family
Arms of Beverley Monastery
Basso Relievo in the Minster
The Morris Dancers (a Basso Relievo)
Percy's Shrine and restored Altar Screen
Boundary Stone and Leaden Seal
Percy's Tomb
View of St. Mary's Church
North Roof of the Chancel
The Font
House of the Black Friars
Monastic Seals, &c
Church Methodist Chapel
Coin
Beverley Foundry

List of pedigrees in "The History of Beverley (Beverlac) "

Pedigree of the Hotham Family
Pedigree of the Thorpe Family
Pedigree of the Anlaby Family
Pedigree of the Gee Family
Pedigree of the Grimston Family
Pedigree of the Warton Family


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