The Post-Medieval period

The Post-Medieval period roughly covers the 16th to the 19th centuries. This period witnessed many considerable changes in the way the country was ruled and governed and how people lived their lives, and these changes were felt in Herefordshire as much as they were elsewhere. This section explains what some of these changes were, and how they affected the county and its inhabitants.

Post-Medieval Herefordshire overview provides an introduction to the period, focussing on country houses, agriculture and industry, transport, population and housing.

Herefordshire life looks at education and apprenticeship in Tudor times, examines what life was like for the poor of the county, and provides guest author essays on landscapes of the gentry and interesting people who were connected with Herefordshire.

The English Civil War explains the background to the war, and looks in detail at Herefordshire's involvement and the effects of the war on the county, such as the sieges at Brampton Bryan, Goodrich and Hereford.

The Architecture section investigates the range of building types common between 1500 and 1750 and their construction. It includes articles on the history and architecture of Hereford Cathedral.

Agriculture and industry explains Herefordshire's main agricultural activities, including cider-making, hop-growing and the rearing of local breeds of cattle and sheep, and examines its non-agricultural industries, such as the production of iron, milling, lime-making, tanning and brewing. There is also a history of child labour in the county.

Transport looks at the arrival of the railways and canals, as well as turnpike roads, droving and the use of packhorses.

Public health explains the improvements in medical knowledge made during the 19th century, and the developments in public health that this new knowledge produced. There is a history of Herefordshire's hospitals, including its asylums.

Institutions examines the history and development of the county's various public institutions, including Hereford Library, the prisons, the workhouses, and Non-conformist chapels.

Crime and punishment investigates how attitudes towards crime changed during the period 1500 to 1750, and the effect this had on methods of punishment. For a detailed look at the 18th and 19th century prisons of Herefordshire and the life of their inmates, see the Prisons pages in the Institutions section.

Slavery examines the role of slave-owning in the lives of some wealthy Herefordshire residents.