A HISTORY book of Blackburn, going back to the days of the Romans, first published in 1877, has been reprinted.

Seen by many as the definitive book on Blackburn and its surrounding towns, The History of Blackburn, Town and Parish was written more than 130 years ago by Wm. Alexander Abram.

It details the old manor houses and the gentry and all the important details of life in the town and its surrounding areas and villages, through the centuries.

Readers can learn about the archaeology of the district; the narrative of local transactions of the great Civil War, including important battles; the memorials of men of public fame and the early domestic architecture in several of the area’s fine old halls and mansions.

It was only after the Roman invasion – the first by Julius Caeasr in 55 BC and then Agricula – that historical accounts of Britain or Lancashire were recorded.

Ribchester became an important Roman city and station, known as Bremetennacum Veteranorum and in 1796 a remarkable batch of relics of the period were discovered nine feet below ground, including a bronze helmet, richly ornamented with embossed figures.

The whole collection was purchased by Charles Towneley, of Towneley Hall, though, today, the helmet is in the British Museum.

A discovery of sepulchral remains, apparently of the Roman-British period, was also made in 1864, as workmen dug out the foundations for a villa at White Hall, Over Darwen, on the estate of William Shorrock Ashton.

Another important discovery of coins and other treasure, which highlighted the Danish occupation of England, was made in the township of Cuerdale, in Ribblesdale, at the western comer of the Parish of Blackburn.

It fitted that after the army of Anlaf the Dane was vanquished by Athelstan near Burnley, in the campaign decided at Brunanburh, its best line of retreat to the sea-coast would be the valley of the Calder to its confluence with the Ribble.

During the wars of the Roses, it is known that Henry VI was captured near Clitheroe in 1464, by partisans of Edward IV, the Yorkist Prince, who had then forcibly possessed the throne.

During his period of hiding he is said to have visited Whalley Abbey and was also entertained at Waddington Hall, in Mitton, the home of Sir John Tempest.

The hall had a room which is known as the King's Chamber and a field between the hall and the river is called King Henry's Meadow.

Henry was betrayed by supposed friends, including Sir James Harrington, of Hornby, and John Talbot, of Salesbury Hall and was captured at the ford of the Ribble, anciently known as Brungerley Hippingstones, as he tried to flee.

They were suitably rewarded for their treachery by Edward – Sir Thomas Talbot of Bashall received £100 and Sir John Tempest and Sir James Harrington 100 marks each; Sir John Harrington was granted a large swathe of land.

The book also tells of the loom breaking riots in Darwen in 1826 when rioters smashed 52 new power looms in Bowling Green Mill and records the building of India Mills, and the Italian campanile chimney by Shorrock Brothers & Co in 1867.

That year, there were 36 cotton-spinning and weaving mills in Darwen, employing 7,750 people, producing yarn and cloths valued at £2,541,000 annually.

A return made nine years later, in 1876, gives the number of spindles in cotton mills in Over and Lower Darwen at 355,912, and of power-looms as 15,136.

n The book, reprinted by Heritage Publications, is available from Blackburn Visitor’s Centre and Lesley's News on Blackburn Market or by telephoning 01539 295195. It costs £26.99.