Secret Warwick

Secret Warwick explores the lesser-known history of the town of Warwick through a fascinating selection of stories, unusual facts and attractive photographs.

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The county town of Warwick is famous for its castle, St Mary's Collegiate Church, with its links to Joan of Arc, and the Lord Leycester Hospital, but much more of its history has been too often overlooked. In this book local author Graham Sutherland delves deeply into Warwick's long-forgotten and hidden histories, recounting some remarkable stories. In Secret Warwick we encounter the Tudor benefactor whose legacy still provides funding today, the setting for Mark Twain's novel A Connecticut Yankee at King Arthur's Court, rowdy election rioting in the town, and local government corruption. Grim reminders of the past include the old leper hospital, prisons and public execution sites. A reformed slaver and a vicar who was banned from his own church are among several turbulent priests. A secret garden welcomes visitors by the river. Warwick housed two prisoner of war camps in the Second World War – for Italians and Germans. St Mary's Church contains Montgomery of Alamein's banner, and a memorial to soldiers who were murdered by the SS in 1940.

With tales of remarkable characters and tucked-away or disappeared buildings and locations, this book will appeal to all who have an interest in Warwickshire`s county town.