Peck's Antiquities of Stanford:
Academia Tertia Anglicana; or The Antiquarian Annals of Stanford In Lincoln, Rutland and Northampton Shires In XIV Books
Written in 1727 by Francis Peck this landmark work covers the history of universities, monasteries, gild, churches, chapels, hospitals and schools of the above local areas as well as memoirs of important dignitaries in the past; Lords, Magistrates, Founders etc. Alongside this is a more general history of the area, including any outstanding affairs and instances under the Reign of various Kings and Queens. Numerous remarkable engravings feature in support of the text, giving a fascinating insight into our local ancient monuments such as Leonards Priory and St Michaels Church of Stamford.
Francis Peck, born in 1692, dedicated his life to pastoral duties and antiquarian and literary studies. A very religious upbringing alongside a keen interest in the history and antiquities of the local area—Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, and Rutland—and the political and literary history of seventeenth-century England increased his knowledge to a level that such a work was not only possible but also incredibly detailed and accurate. This book was his first major publication, taking him six years to complete, and all at his own expense. Upon his death is 1743 several manuscripts on antiquities were discovered, including a follow on to the 'Antiquities of Stanford'. On the discovery of these Nichols summed him up well, commenting:
' Peck had lived a laborious, and, it may be affirmed, an useful life, wholly devoted to antiquarian pursuit'
Unrivalled at that period, and a wonderful piece of history
this extensive work is a truly marvellous insight into Stamford and the
surrounding areas pre 1700. Here at St Marys books we have the original book,
with original leather boards, rebacked so that binding is tight. It contains
all original engravings as well as a folding frontispiece of A Prospect of The Town of Stanford dated
1719. A scarce title in very good condition, this is a must have book for
anyone interested in the history of the local area.
