15 NOVEMBER 1924, Page 22

THE VICTORIA HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WOR- CESTER. Edited

by William Page and J. W. Willis-Bund. Vol. IV. (St. Catherine Press. 63s. net.) ANOTHER volume finished ten years ago but delayed by the War has been added to the great Victoria County History,

It describes in detail the parishes in the Hundreds of Pershore and Doddingtree—delectable places like Pershore itself, Broadway, Areley Kings which Layamon knew in the year 1200, Madresfield, Strensham, Hanley Child, and many more—as well as the city and cathedral of Worcester. Other sections deal with ancient earthworks, with the social and economic history, and with the schools. Professor Stenton's history of Worcester is excellent, and Mr. Brakspear's full account, with a large plan and many photographs, of the cathedral and the great monastery is of prime importance.

The innumerable photographs of the village churches and manor-houses arc always attractive in any volume of the Victoria History, but Worcester, with its stone-built and stone-roofed houses, is an exceptionally interesting county for anyone who cares for domestic architecture. Let us add that the completion of this great survey of the English counties is a matter of national importance. Everyone who can should subscribe for the history of his own county at least.