Chronicle of Walter of Guisborough
A canon regular of the Augustinian Guisborough Priory, Yorkshire, formerly known as The Chronicle of Walter of Hemingburgh, describes the period from 1066 to 1346. Before 1274 the Chronicle is based on other works. Thereafter, the Chronicle is original, and a remarkable source for the events of the time. This book provides a translation of the Chronicle from that date. The Latin source for our translation is the 1849 work edited by Hans Claude Hamilton. Hamilton, in his preface, says: 'In the present work we behold perhaps one of the finest samples of our early chronicles, both as regards the value of the events recorded, and the correctness with which they are detailed; Nor will the pleasing style of composition be lightly passed over by those capable of seeing reflected from it the tokens of a vigorous and cultivated mind, and a favourable specimen of the learning and taste of the age in which it was framed.'
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Disasters and Accidents is in General Things.
On 16th June 1883 one hundred and eighty-three children aged between three and fourteen were crushed to death at the Victoria Hall in Sunderland in a crowd surge for prizes following a variety show by travelling entertainers Mr. and Mrs. Fay. At the bottom of a staircase an inward opening door had been bolted to provide for the checking of tickets. The children at the front of the crowd became trapped and were crushed to death by the weight of the crowd behind them. The resulting inquiry led to legislation that public entertainment venues be fitted with a minimum number of outward opening emergency exits, which led to the invention of "push bar" emergency doors which remain in use today.