In the fifteenth century the happy conjuncture of great wealth produced by the wool trade and an un-matched building material in the Cotswold limestone gave rise to some of the finest medieval parish churches in England. Those at Cirencester, Burford, Fairford, Chipping Campden and Northleach, to take five outstanding examples out of many, are all of the greatest possible interest to the lover of old churches. But David Verey is here not concerned only with the Perpendicular period, splendid as that is. He devotes equal attention to the remarkable Norman work at Elkstone, the beautiful churchyard at Painswick, the Georgian Gothick of Tetbury, and the later contributions of architects such as Scott, Teulon, Bodley and Comperto mention some random examples. ¶The book starts with a long Introduction, in which David Verey discusses and analyses the qualities which give character and unity to the churches of the Cotswolds (an area which is here defined in a rewardingly generous manner). There follow detailed notes on all the Cotswold churches which David Verey believes to be best worth visiting. ¶This revised second edition is fully illustrated in colour.
