From prehistoric times to the Middle Ages, the Welsh Borders were the scene of continual strife, as can be seen from the Iron Age and Roman forts, Offa's Dyke and the wealth of medieval castles to be found here. For a short time the Marches formed in the north-western boundary of the Roman Empire. In the Middle Ages there was bitter fighting between the Norman conquerors and the Welsh, and in-fighting among feuding barons. Later the dissolution of the monasteries, the imposition of enclosures, the creation of parkland, the mining of the Shropshire coalfield and the coming of the Industrial Revolution all made their impact on the landscape. Today the Marches are under threat from various forces which are discussed in the final chapter.

The distinguished landscape archaeologist Trevor Rowley (who was born and educated in Shrewsbury) looks at the countryside, villages and towns of this area, and reveals the clues that they provide to the history of its people over the centuries. Under the author's confident guidance, there are many hidden treasures to be found in this relatively unknown region of Britain—whether forgotten Saxon churches or lost medieval boroughs. With its numerous illustrations, this is a book that will inform and delight both local residents and visitors to the border counties.

TREVOR ROWLEY was Director of Studies in the Department for Continuing Education, Oxford University and is a Fellow of Kellogg College, Oxford. He is the author of many books including The Shropshire Landscape, Villages in the Landscape and The English Landscape in the Twentieth Century.