Colchester is popularly the oldest recorded city in England, dating from before the Roman invasion. Under the Romans, Camulodunum, as it was known, was a major city. Later, Saxon settlers and the Normans used Roman ruins for their buildings, not least for the Norman castle. During the late Middle Ages Colchester became rich again on the wool trade and by the eighteenth century became known as a garrison town. Today, Colchester is at the heart of a fast-growing area and was awarded city status in 2022.

A–Z of Colchester reveals the history behind the city, its streets and buildings, industries, and the people connected with it. Alongside the famous historical connections are unusual characters, tucked-away places and unique events that are less well known. Readers will discover tales of scandal, clockmakers, radicals, the Great British Earthquake of 1883 which destroyed many local buildings, and zedonks in Colchester Zoo, among many other fascinating facts in this A–Z tour of Colchester’s history. Fully illustrated throughout, this book will appeal to all those with an interest in this ancient Essex city.