From the earliest prehistoric inhabitants of the Tame Valley to the modern era, every age has played its part in defining the unique nature and character of Tamworth. Nothing now remains of the royal center of Mercian kings beyond romantic memories, but the parish church of St Editha, with its roots in the Saxon borough, the castle on its mound, and the legacies of men of vision maintain a link between time past and time present. Much has been written in recent years about what Tamworth has lost in the name of redevelopment. The last three decades have seen unprecedented growth and change. With hindsight, it is easy to point to errors of judgment - mistakes were undoubtedly made. But this book is not another lament for some imagined golden yesterday, it is rather a celebration of a thriving, independent town that all too often overlooks and undervalues its heritage and assets.