Literature

Seventeenth Century Sudbury by Allan W. Berry
The seventeenth century was one of religious, political and military turmoil, controversy and strife. Local communities could not avoid being affected by such momentous national events such as the Civil War, the establishment of the Commonwealth, the Restoration, and the Revolution of 1688.
This book is a chronicle of matters of interest and concern to the people of Sudbury in the seventeenth century.
It was published with the aid of a grant, in 2005, from the Sudbury Freemen's Trust and is available to read in the local history section of Sudbury Library.

Eighteenth Century Sudbury by Allan W. Berry
This book, printed in 1992 by Suffolk Books, brings together the surviving glimpses of the life of one small town, Sudbury in Suffolk, as revealed in the pages of the Ipswich Journal during the second half of the eighteenth century. It was published with the aid of a grant from the Sudbury Freemen's Trust and is available to read in the local history section of Sudbury Library.

Suffolk Country Town: A Sudbury Miscellany by Allan W. Berry
Suffolk Country Town is a collection of fascinating tales about Sudbury, the town made famous as Eatanswill in Dickens's Pickwick Papers. But there is more to Sudbury's history than election bribery. Among the author's subjects are Archbishop Simon of Sudbury, beheaded in the Peasants' Revolt, the weaving trade which provided the Navy with bunting for its flags, Thomas Gainsborough, the scandal of an absconding 19th century banker, local poets and the Freemen of Sudbury.
This book was published in 1997 with the aid of a grant from the Sudbury Freemen's Trust and is available to read in the local history section of Sudbury Library.

What's in a name? Origins of Sudbury street names by Anthony Wheeler and Valerie Herbert
For decades retired schoolmaster Anthony Wheeler intrigued audiences with his talk about the origins of historic street names in the heart of Sudbury. Then sadly in the autumn of 2011 it looked as if his knowledge would be lost after he was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer. The only record of his research were the cards he used to prompt his memory when giving a talk. At this time Tony was having debilitating treatment but he readily agreed to help me produce this book as a way of preserving his knowledge for the future. We worked on it together, adding streets in outer Sudbury to his original research. Tony died in May 2012 just three weeks after Sudbury Museum Trust published 'What's in a Name?'. He was pleased with the book, proud too, and it rapidly sold out that year as did a reprint. The redevelopment of three large historic sites in central Sudbury led to the decision to reprint with the addition of interesting new street names on the sites. Sudbury Freemen's Trust has generously met the cost, I researched and wrote the additions and this is the result. I like to think that it would have met with Tony's approval.
Valerie Herbert, Trustee, Sudbury Museum Trust
('What's in a name?' is still in print and on sale in local bookshops and at the Tourist Information Centre in Sudbury Library.)

The Freedom of Sudbury in the Twentieth Century by Allan W Berry M.A.
Published in 2003 with the aid of a grant from The Sudbury Freemen's Trust, this little volume is an attempt to place on record, particularly for future freemen, some of the trials and triumphs of the freedom of Sudbury during a memorable century. The passions aroused by shackage, (the freemen's right to graze their cows on much of the farmland surrounding the town after the owner of the land had taken the crop), once an important right of the freemen; the difficulties caused by legislation, sometimes prepared in ignorance of the position of freemen; the contradictory rulings given at various times by the Charity Commission; these have all had their importance for the freedom.
It was published with the aid of a grant from the Sudbury Freemen's Trust and is available to read in the local history section of Sudbury Library.

Early Eighteenth Century Sudbury by Allan W. Berry
This is another volume in Allan Berry's series of books on Sudbury history. This book tells year by year, of events in the town in the first half of the eighteenth century. Many local characters are vividly portrayed. There is a good index of names which would be useful for anyone researching Sudbury family history during this period. Events, humorous, serious and significant are recorded. There are several relevant illustrations, including one of the Old Grammar School building, together with tales of some of the masters. This is another book into which to dip and to be lured further and further. It was published in 2004 with the aid of a grant from the Sudbury Freemen's Trust and is available to read in the local history section of Sudbury Library.

An Appreciation of Sudbury's ancient Common Lands by Adrian Walters
Published in 2005 and still available to buy locally, this book details the history of Sudbury's Common Lands, its link with the town and the Freemen and the wildlife and plants which make the meadows their home.

An Appreciation of Sudbury's unique Riverside by Adrian Walters
Published in 2010 and also available to buy locally, it is essential reading for anyone who lives in the local area or is visiting Sudbury as it is a beautifully illustrated guide to the history and wildlife of the Town's unique riverside, other than the ancient common lands described in Adrian's first book.

An Appreciation of Sudbury's Jewel in the Crown by Adrian Walters
Published in 2020 and available to buy at the Tourist Information Centre, based at Sudbury Town Hall. A bargain at £5, the book contains stunning photographs of the Common Lands and Sudbury Riverside.