Ruins and Old Trees Associated with Memorable Events in English History

Ruins and Old Trees was written by Mary Roberts, with the original illustrations by Gilbert, engravings by Folkard. Roberts uses creative license and lines of poetry scattered throughout the work, to reimagine life and times of various, notable areas across England. Her descriptions invite readers to put themselves into the events described, ingeniously using various physical landmarks as a reference point. Much of the history is centered on monarchs of Europe and religious figures. Those discussed include the Monks of St. Mary’s at York, Howel Sele, the Nunnery of St. Peter’s, Queen Victoria and William Talbot, an English Knight, among many others. This new edition is dedicated to Brian Giblin, who is such an enthusiast for Oxford and its setting.