Richard Marks

Forty colour plates illustrate some of the finest achievements of medieval painting.

Discover the Cotswolds’ most evocative heritage line through a guidebook that does far more than follow the rails. The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway (Heritage Guide) is the third title in Dr Richard Marks’ acclaimed new series—guidebooks that blend history with an inviting, modern style of travel writing. This volume opens the door to one of Britain’s most beloved heritage railways and the rich history that shaped the region. Britain’s heritage railways are living museums, but they are also windows into a world we’ve lost. This guide reveals the GWR’s late but strategic decision to drive a new line from Stratford-upon-Avon to Cheltenham—an ambitious move designed to outmanoeuvre the Midland Railway and create a vital shortcut. The story of the line’s construction, operation, decline, and remarkable preservation is told with clarity and insight, making this book an essential companion for enthusiasts and curious visitors alike. But the journey doesn’t stop at the platform; it takes you beyond the railway to the places and hidden corners that make the area unforgettable. Whether you’re planning a day out, a weekend escape, or an exploration of the Cotswolds, it offers a wealth of ideas to enrich your visit and inspire you to linger longer. Packed with local knowledge, historical context, and practical suggestions, The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway (Heritage Guide) is designed to be both informative and irresistible.

Nearly all major studies of contemporary documentation for medieval art in England fail to take into account the vast body of testamentary evidence. This study brings together for the first time a large corpus of wills relating to windows and their glazing, using a wide range of published and unpublished wills and benefitting from fieldwork undertaken to relate bequests to existing fabric and glazing. Most of the wills relate to parish churches, but there is also much evidence concerning cathedrals and religious houses; the last category is particularly important, as so little glazing has survived from such foundations. Testators span almost the entire social spectrum: monarchs and magnates, prelates and parish priests, gentry, lawyers, merchants, and (especially from the late 15th century) the more prosperous husbandmen and yeomen. The wills of a score or so of glass-painters also feature. Women are represented, not only as testators, but as executors and heiresses. Dates range from the late 13th century to the Reformation. The result is a treasure trove of information concerning patronage, iconography, commemorative strategies, costs, techniques, processes, and dating, which will be of value to historians of art, religion, culture, society at a local level, as well as to architectural scholars.

The railway station first appeared in Britain when the new railway companies began to carry passengers as well as the freight for which they had originally been built. From humble beginnings behind the bar in the local pub, to state of the art travel hubs, Britain’s railway stations have become a key part of society, even impacting how time is measured. As Britain’s railway network grew, so did it’s stations. Competing companies arrived in the same town and built magnificent structures to attract passengers to their lines over those of their competitors. Architectural styles were as varied as the companies who commissioned them, although all were built to provide a feeling of permanence and dynamism to the local communities they served. In this new introduction to the history of Britain’s railway stations, industrial and railway historian Dr Richard Marks examines why railway stations were built where and how they were. The impact of railway politics, rail heading and competition is clearly explained, to provide a new perspective on the railway station. Perhaps more than just a travel hub, the railway station was also place of sorrowful separations, and joyful reunions, new opportunity or departure to war something which is examined throughout the new book. The evolution of railway stations, be they magnificent city centre statements or humble branch line or light railway facilities, is a fascinating and complex subject to which this new volume aims to provide a readable introduction.

The Kent and East Sussex Railway (Heritage Guide) is the second book in a new series of guidebooks with a unique twist. Created by railway and industrial historian Dr Richard Marks, this guide introduces a fresh approach and style to travel literature. It serves as an introduction to both the heritage railway and the history of the region. There is so much more to Britain’s heritage railways than just the trains, once a key part of British industry and society they bring to life a lost past. Telling the story of the origins of the railway, as part of the Colonel Stephens group of light railways, the new guide explains why a light railway was an important development in Britain’s transport networks. It also extends beyond the railway, highlighting captivating destinations and activities nearby in Kent and East Sussex. It promises something for every reader, ensuring days out that are both enjoyable and inspiring. The book offers numerous reasons for tourists to extend their stay beyond a train ride or a single day trip. It paints a vivid picture of local life in the surrounding countryside and towns in the past. Encompassing local towns, museums, castles, and wildlife alongside the railway, the guide provides a variety of enjoyable suggestions for visitors, to match all interests. The book points out additional resources for finding more local attractions, making it a friendly and indispensable companion for any trip to the railway and beyond.

Since Richard Trevithick’s first forays into the development of the steam locomotive, Britain’s engineers have been at the forefront of railway technology. Often innovative, and sometimes unfairly maligned, the country’s locomotive engineers continually broke new barriers in traction technology although not everything was successful. From the earliest simple steam locomotives to the latest diesel and electric engines, Britain had led the way in railway locomotion, although competition from European, Japanese and American manufacturers sometimes exceeded what British engineers had achieved. In this new book, industrial and railway historian Dr Richard Marks provides fresh insights into Britain’s role in railway locomotive design and technology, and examines the highlights of British developments from Trevithick’s Coalbrookdale locomotive to the Brush Class 60 diesel locomotive. Based upon new research this useful primer aims to start the reader on a journey of discovery, unravelling some of the myths which have arisen around Britain’s railway history and explaining in an easy to follow narrative why some potentially advantageous developments failed to live up to expectations. In this new survey of 200 years of British locomotive history to accompany the Railway 200 celebrations, the reader is presented with a compelling and easy to read introduction to a complex, but intriguing subject.

This book approaches the history of railway building and its impact on economic change in a new way. Using a more granular approach than has been used in the past, based on detailed case studies, this book aims to establish the effect of railway building on local economies and individual sectors within those micro-economies. From the resulting analysis, it has been possible to extrapolate the nuanced changes, not always growth as has often been suggested, to other places. While this book examines the micro-economies of one deliberately selected constrained area, the conclusions drawn from the research are relevant to the whole of the United Kingdom in the nineteenth century. The findings are also relevant to other evolving economies, including those in Europe and the United States, throughout the nineteenth century. The volume is aimed at undergraduates, postgraduates and scholars who are examining the economic and social history of the Victorian period. It would also be of value to business schools. This book has also been written to be an accessible history of nineteenth-century economic history, which will be of general interest to book sellers, librarians and the casual reader.

"The Swanage Railway (Heritage Guide)" marks the debut of a new series of guidebooks with a unique twist. Created by railway and industrial historian Dr Richard Marks, this guide introduces a fresh approach and style to travel literature. It serves as an introduction to both the heritage railway and the history of the region. There is so much more to Britain’s heritage railways than just the trains, once a key part of British industry and society they bring to life a lost past. The guide extends beyond the railway, highlighting captivating destinations and activities nearby. It promises something for every reader, ensuring days out that are both enjoyable and inspiring. The book offers numerous reasons for tourists to extend their stay beyond a train ride or a single day trip. It paints a vivid picture of local life in the surrounding countryside and towns in the past. Encompassing museums, castles, wildlife sanctuaries, beaches, and trails, alongside the railway, the guide provides a variety of enjoyable suggestions for visitors, to match all interests. The book points out additional resources for finding more local attractions, making it a friendly and indispensable companion for any trip to the railway and beyond.

We have often been told, never bring your personal life to work. Yet rarely, if ever, are we told to leave work life in the office. What many people strive for today is a healthy life balance, the ability to both excel in their careers and enjoy their personal life. They seek to manage the personal experiences that can negatively impact their professional life, as well as minimize work stress that can bear down on their personal lives. Expect Great Things to Happen: Five Core Principles of Highly Effective Business Professionals is for business professionals from entry level and middle management, all the way up to senior level. It provides a clear blueprint to advance your career while having a positive impact in the lives of others. By working with the five principles, you will develop the skills it takes to be a "business athlete." Expect Great Things to Happen is also a self-help book for anyone who wants to improve their relationships with themselves and others. These skills are transferable and can help you harmonize all the different aspects of your life. This book provides a proven blueprint for career growth and leadership development while helping you cultivate a meaningful, balanced life. Whether you're an entry-level employee, middle manager, or senior executive, you'll discover how to implement five core success principles to become a high-performing professional- a "business athlete" who thrives in both work and life. Not just a career development book, Expect Great Things to Happen is also a self-help guide for anyone seeking personal growth, emotional intelligence, and stronger relationships. These transformative principles will help you master communication, productivity, and resilience, empowering you to harmonize all aspects of your life and create lasting success.

The Wantage Tramway, part tramway and part light railway, had many claims to fame. It was Britain’s first tramway to use steam traction and had a fascinating and eclectic collection of locomotives and rolling stock throughout its short life which gave the company a look all of its own. The company’s unique history created a legend which still endures to this day. The unique company had its origins in the nineteenth century when the Great Western Railway’s route to Bristol bypassed Wantage and local people gathered together to form a company to build a link to the local main line. The company’s relationship with its bigger neighbour was often friendly, sometimes stormy, but always close despite the tramway company’s fierce independence. The company was an important addition to Wantage’s transport network although not everyone agreed! This new history of the company, based upon primary research, explores how the company was formed, tells the stories of some of the people who worked for the tramway, and its working relationship with the Great Western Railway. The book looks at the tramway’s eclectic rolling stock, its operations and the company’s relationship with its customers, which was not always as good as it would have hoped. It also reveals for the first time the true reasons for its closure in 1946 and its relationship with the United States Army.

In 1970, British Railways Board established a new subsidiary company to take over the design, manufacture and maintenance of its rolling stock. British Rail Engineering Limited (BREL) was born. The company drove a new era of rail technology and this new company history tells the dazzling story of BREL from its humble beginnings up until its sale in 1992 during the controversial privatisation of Britain’s railways. The company’s work in designing the iconic new trains that would take Britain’s railways into a new era is examined alongside its relationship with subcontractors and private manufacturers, as well as its tumultuous relationship with British Railways Board. BREL’s struggles to deal with the legacy of the outdated and obsolete stock and infrastructure it inherited are examined in the light of new research. BREL’s little known success as an international exporter of British designed and manufactured trains is explored fully. The company’s heyday as a leading-edge technology manufacturer and its relationship with British Railways Research Division left not only a history of iconic trains but a legacy which is still with us on today’s modern railway.

A definitive technical guide to the Avro Lancaster, complete with accurate specifications, detailed illustrations and stunning photographs. The Avro Lancaster was one of the finest bombers of World War II and became the spearhead of the RAF’s strategic bombing campaign over the Third Reich. Richard Marks draws on extensive research and detailed technical drawings to explore the evolution of this heavy bomber, revealing how its design developments transformed an old airframe from a dangerous liability into one of the most powerful weapons in the RAF arsenal. It demonstrated excellent performance, ruggedness and good handling qualities and it was soon at the fore of all the RAF’s bombing campaigns. This book tells the story of the iconic Lancaster in full, providing a comprehensive account of the design, development and operational history of the aircraft and its evolution into successor aircraft.

Stained Glass in England During the Middle Ages is a comprehensive survey of the art and production of stained glass windows. The first modern study of the medium, this book considers stained glass in relation to architecture and other arts and, by examining contemporary documents, it throws valuable light on workshop organisation, prices, patronage and iconography. Stained glass attracted outstanding craftsmen who were in the forefront of the main artistic innovations in English medieval art. Their significance is highlighted in this study which also examines the the role of patrons and the important contribution made by stained glass to our knowledge of medieval religions, beliefs and cults.

Professor Marks has been a curator at the British Museum, Keeper of the Burrell Collection, Glasgow, and Director of the Royal Pavilion and Museums in Brighton. Subsequently he held a Personal Chair in the History of Art Department at the University of York, and is now Emeritus Professor; he also currently has an Honorary Professorship in the History of Art at Cambridge University. He has held honorary posts as Vice-President of The Society of Antiquaries of London and International President of the Corpus Vitrearum Medii Aevi project. He has worked on a number of major exhibitions, including Gothic. Art for England 1400–1547 (Victoria & Albert Museum, 2003–4), which he curated. Professor Marks’main interest is the religious imagery of medieval Europe, in all the visual arts. Much of his research has been on English stained glass, and, more recently, on the function and reception of devotional images. His works here include Stained Glass in England during the Middle Ages (1993), The Medieval Stained Glass of Northamptonshire (1998), The Golden Age of English Manuscript Painting 1200–1500 (1981) and Image and Devotion in Late Medieval England (2004). This volume brings together thirty-one of Professor Marks’ studies, encompassing historiography, stained glass, manuscript illumination, screen and wall painting, sculpture and funerary monuments.