1. THE WITHAM FIRES AND THE 1820S
   • The 1820s: Historical Background
   • Witham and the Fires
2. THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK AND THE WITHAM FIRES
   • The initial reaction to an offence
   • Whether to prosecute
   • The trial
   • Sentences and Petitions
3. THE SOCIAL BACKGROUND
   • National and local interests
   • Poverty and prosperity
   • Strangers and friends
4. CONCLUSION
   • Acknowledgements
   • Select Bibliography
   • Select List of Sources

Acknowledgements

Many people gave help and encouragement during the preparation of this study, both in its original form as a dissertation in 1982, and as it appeared in booklet form in 1991. Exceptionally supportive were Arthur Brown, Leonore Davidoff, Peter King, Betty Loring and John Walter. Rickstones School drama department provoked me to additional interesting discoveries by their portrayal of the story of James Cook. My family also helped in many ways; for instance John understood the trials of an author, and Phil and Susie made artistic and dramatic contributions respectively. I am very grateful indeed to all of these, and to all my friends. Without them I am sure I should not have had the determination to make my own contribution, which was, to paraphrase P G Wodehouse, the application of the seat of the pants to the chair.

Next page: Select Bibliography