Based on a wide variety of government and civic records, this book traces the evolution of the changing nature of city status, particularly through the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Beginning with an explanation of how city status first became connected to cathedrals in the medieval period, the book explores how during the nineteenth century, links evolved between Anglican diocesan sub-divisions and city creation. It then shows how in a few years, between 1888 and 1907, the traditional interpretation of a city was overturned as the most major British industrial and commercial towns received city status and lord mayoralties. The second half of the book concentrates on city status during the twentieth century, and particularly the politicisation of the process and the linking of grants to royal occasions. The study concludes by looking at the city status competitions of 2000 and 2002 in relation to the previous two hundred years of city history.
Biography
John Beckett is Professor of English Regional History at the University of Nottingham, UK.
’... this well-researched book is fascinating, at times hilarious, and raises a variety of important issues... This is a useful, often entertaining book contributing to a variety of themes in urban history.’ Journal of British Studies ’Overall, the book answers many of my questions on this strange title and the stranger reasons why it is seen as desirable and how it is granted (or not)... It is fluently told, supported by detailed archival research, profusely footnoted... It is an excellent addition to the literature on civic politics, governance, place promotion, and for definitions of 'city'!’ Urban History
