WE all know Colchester has a rich Roman heritage, but what do we know about its medieval past?

With many studies offering little or no information about this period, writer John Ashdown-Hill has put together a snapshot of 15th century life in his new book, Mediaeval Colchester’s Lost Landmarks.

The 60-year-old said the dearth of information about this period is often due to records being in Latin or written in undecipherable handwriting.

“There are some wonderful records, but it can be a bit of a struggle,” he said.

“I had to grapple with them while I was working on my PhD, which centred on John Howard, Duke of Norfolk in the 1400s.

“I thought it would be a pity to waste them afterwards.”

As the title of Dr Ashdown-Hill’s book suggests, much of his study centres on the lost landmarks of Colchester.

“I started off looking at important buildings,” he explained.

“By far the most prominent landmark on the Colchester skyline would have been Greyfriars monastery with its great spire.

“Many churches of the time have now gone, such as St Nicholas, although parts of that are still in Castle Park.” But the author stressed the book is not just about churches and monasteries.

“I discovered records referring to the Bear Garden, in Vineyard Street, where bear baiting took place, the road was called Bear Lane at the time,” he said.

“It would have had several tiers of seating with an open space in the middle.

“It was interesting to discover there was such a building.”

Dr Ashdown-Hill, who lives in Thurlston Close, Colchester, also discovered some quirky facts about Colchester during the 1400s, including the fine dished out to fortune teller Jeweyn Blakote.

“Fortune telling was frowned upon because it was like sorcery,” he said. “She was fined six shillings and eightpence which was a lot in those days.”

Dr Ashdown-Hill is giving a talk at Red Lion Books in Colchester, tomorrow, at 7pm. Tickets cost £3; available from 01206 578584.

The book costs £14.99.