Ancient Monuments in Northern England

IN view of the services which are being rendered to archaeological and historical studies by the Office of Works through its activities in protecting and preserving our ancient monuments, it is both an advantage and a necessity that the co-operation of the public should be obtained in furthering the purpose of this work. For this, among other reasons, it is desirable that a knowledge of aims and methods, as well as of what has already been achieved under existing legislation, should be as widely diffused as possible. Much depends here, as with the collections in our national museums, upon the extent to which a suitable literature is available, from which the visiting public may learn what is most significant and best worth attention. Already at many of the ancient monuments—ultimately, no doubt, at all of any importance—detailed accounts, which cover technical matters, as well as plans and general descriptive notes, are available for the visitor; but a broader view which entails comparative treatment has been attempted in a new series of official publications which has been inaugurated by the First Commissioner of Works himself (“Illustrated Regional Guides to Ancient Monuments under the Ownership or Guardianship of His Majesty's Office of Works: Vol. 1, Northern England”. By the Right Hon. W. Ormsby-Gore. Pp. 52. London: H.M. Stationery Office. Is.). It is interesting to note how Mr. Ormsby-Gore has attacked what is really a difficult problem. The average visitor may be expected to have a historical background adequate for appreciation of the character of Norman castle or abbey; but how will such a visitor approach, for example, the Devil's Arrows at Boroughbridge? Wisely, differential treatment has been adopted. In the historic period the monuments are classified, each according to its kind, and then briefly described seriatim, but for the prehistoric period, the prehistory of the region has been reviewed as a whole, the protected monuments being used to support and illustrate the argument. This has the additional advantage that it brings out the essential function of the Department far more clearly than would be possible in a mere annotated list.