_VOLUMES IN THIS SERIES_ CAMBRIDGE By W. MATTHISON and M. A. R. TUKER. OXFORD By JOHN FULLEYLOVE and EDWARD THOMAS. SCOTLAND By SUTTON PALMER and A. R. HOPE MONCRIEFF. SURREY By SUTTON PALMER and A. R. HOPE MONCRIEFF. WARWICKSHIRE By FRED WHITEHEAD and CLIVE HOLLAND. WILD LAKELAND By A. HEATON COOPER and MACKENZIE MACBRIDE. _Other Volumes to follow._ AGENTS AMERICA THE MACMILLAN COMPANY 64 & 66 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK AUSTRALASIA THE OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS 205 FLINDERS LANE, MELBOURNE CANADA THE MACMILLAN COMPANY OF CANADA, LTD. ST. MARTIN’S HOUSE, 70 BOND STREET, TORONTO INDIA MACMILLAN & COMPANY, LTD. MACMILLAN BUILDING, BOMBAY 309 BOW BAZAAR STREET, CALCUTTA INDIAN BANK BUILDINGS, MADRAS [Illustration: DECORATED FRONT PAGE WARWICKSHIRE BLACK’S POPULAR SERIES of COLOUR BOOKS] [Illustration: WARWICK CASTLE FROM THE BRIDGE.] [Illustration: DECORATED TITLE PAGE WARWICKSHIRE THE LAND OF SHAKESPEARE PAINTED BY FRED WHITEHEAD DESCRIBED BY CLIVE HOLLAND A&C BLACK LTD 4.5.6 SOHO SQUARE, LONDON, W.1.] _First Edition, with 75 Illustrations, published in 1906 Reprinted in 1912 Second Edition, revised, with 32 Illustrations, published in 1922_ _Printed in Great Britain by_ R. & R. CLARK, LIMITED, _Edinburgh_. Preface to Revised Edition To those who know Warwickshire well it will be unnecessary to either sing its praises, as not only one of the most historic but also one of the most fascinating of middle–England shires, or to urge its claims for the consideration of those who love the fair, open country, winding roads, and pleasant hills and vales. This county, of whose beauty poets from almost time immemorial have sung, possesses an added interest beyond the romantic elements afforded by its history, its magnificent survivals of bygone ages in castles, manor–houses, churches, and other domestic buildings, in that it is the land of Shakespeare. Around this beautiful district of England still hangs some of the unfading glamour which comes from the association with it of great deeds and great names; from amongst the latter of which that of “the nation’s poet” stands out with undimmed lustre as the centuries pass away.