reviews

Dr Michael Honeybone

‘Linda Ball’s wonderfully illustrated book has completely analysed the question of the location of the Stamford Grey Friars and White Friars.’

‘At last the problem of the location of the Stamford Grey Friars has been thoroughly investigated. Her book is open-minded and it demonstrates the range of different possibilities. Linda presents every possible scenario in a thoughtful manner and the book is packed with evidence. We are fortunate that the author has put so much thought and research into this problem. The result is a magnificent book which answers the question and which at the same time offers a splendid account of Stamford in the mediaeval period.’

Stamford Sights and Secrets Tours

Linda Ball ‘sifts through the evidence, and unusually, this evidence is quoted in the text.’

‘The book is a detailed academic study into a conundrum which has been confusing historians since the reformation - which friary was where? We love stories of people’s lives and some of the VIPs of the time are discussed and illuminated. Their fame in Stamford stems from their deaths and burials rather than their lives here! A useful and well-researched addition to the literature on Stamford, which we’ll keep referring back to for future tour writing and planning.’

https://www.stamfordsightsandsecretstours.com/

GILLIAN METHERINGHAM

‘We come to know Stamford and its backwaters and byways, its eleven little gardens, its dovecotes, its leaded water conduits…’

'This is a wonderful book which combines solid historical erudition with a keen sense of what makes a good story. The author tries to unravel a centuries-old confusion about which friars lived where, and in the process introduces us to the friars themselves, the way they lived, the townspeople who were their congregation, and the terrible circumstances of their demise. This is a lovingly researched and carefully evidenced book, with an argument that takes us gently from an overview of Stamford town to the detail of heraldic markings on an ancient gate, and makes us care about it all. I loved it.’

KRYSTYNA WEINSTEIN

‘…Inevitably there are town and street details which a non-Stamford resident may find difficult to follow. But she keeps track of where a reader may need help to assimilate what she has unearthed.’

‘I am not a Stamford resident, yet I found this book about the Grey and White Friars, once residing close to one another on the east side of the town, a fascinating and detailed detective story. Written in fluent, simple, readable language, working meticulously through a mass of literature and archival material, and illustrating findings with drawings, maps and photographs, Linda examines the unsolved question: which Friary was located on which site? It is a conundrum that has absorbed antiquaries and historians for many years. Linda cites evidence and counter-evidence. And in a tour de force, she offers a detailed time-line beginning in 1200 and ending in 1884.   As Linda says, tracking the truth about the locations is “…a complex picture of ambiguity, confusion, contradiction and conundrum.” Readers must decide for themselves; they are offered no final verdict.’

John William Riley

‘…It has surely made an important contribution to the research of Stamford's history.’

‘Very much enjoying reading the book and impressed with the amount of research you put in. Many famous incidents in Stamford's history re-addressed. Getting close to the end, and I think I know which way you're going to jump; but it feels a bit like waiting for Poirot to assemble the suspects in the drawing-room to expose the guilty party.  A satisfying conclusion to the book!

Betty Haddon

‘…a well-researched debate and a good read!’

‘Having finished reading about the Stamford Friaries, I'm happy to say how much I've enjoyed it. An excellent book, my mindset was always that the White Friars were on the Infirmary site and I remain convinced.  The Stamford School pupils' discoveries are fascinating and there must be a lot of evidence under the ground still. Thank you, Linda for all your work, and all your contributors.’