The
Local Historian's Encyclopedia
by John Richardson - Third Edition
This detailed guide to the complicated social and administrative structure of feudal and post-feudal Britain is completely revised and expanded from the Second Edition.
This book is divided into themes, and gives the meanings of many terms as well as detailing legislation which affected the lives of everyone. The sections range widely over diverse subjects such as Land and Agriculture, Heraldry, Social Welfare, Coins, Transport, Archaeology and Paleography. BBC Television reported "Probably the most useful book for the working local historian ever published."
This is a book that belongs on Your Genealogy Shelf.