What’s in the book

Discovering Tong is a new book which tells the stories about a village in rural England. It brings together all the known historical information about Tong, Salop some of which has only recently become available. The book has 54 illustrations, several are reproduced for the first time (including 6 in colour and 3 maps). The book is the most comprehensive book on the subject in the last hundred years. It comprises the following chapters, click on the chapter heading link for information about each chapter including selected extracts.

Foreword by the Very Revd Dr Alan Webster, KCVO, Dean Emeritus of St Paul's.

Prologue introduces the author, the Very Revd Dr Robert Jeffery, Dean Emeritus of Worcester and former vicar of Tong.

Historical Tong

1 The Story of Tong Introduces the village and recounts what visitors have said about Tong.

2 Tong Castle History of Tong Castle 1100-1760.

3 George Durant comes to Tong Background of George Durant and the new Tong Castle built in the 1760s.

4 Beati Qui Durant The amazing Durant legacy at Tong.

5 The Decline and Fall of Tong Castle How Tong Castle fell into disrepair and ruin.

Ecclesiastical Tong

6 Tong College The College associated with Tong Church 1408-1535.

7 Tong Church The magnificent fifteenth century church of St Bartholomew at Tong.

8 The Treasures of Tong The various valuable heirlooms of the Church.

9 Of Clerics and Clerks The priests and clerks who served the community over the centuries.

Village Life

10 Living in Tong Each house in the village of Tong has its own unique story to tell.

11 Scenes from Village Life Insights into the life of the close-knit community at Tong.

Literary Tong

12 The Shakespeare Connection Unravelling the story of William Shakespeare's epitaph on the Stanley tomb in the Church.

13 Some Victorian Curiosities The strange story of Charles Dickens and Little Nell at Tong (as well as other Victorian authors).

Epilogue in which the author collects his thoughts about Tong and what makes it so special.

There are eight Appendices covering a variety of topics:
The Owners of Tong Castle;
Some further notes on the Durant Family;
Valuation of Tong Estate 1763;
List of Wardens of Tong College;
List of Parochial Clergy;
List of Tong School teachers;
List of guide Books to Tong Church;
Notes on the National Census Figures 1801-1901.
Followed by a comprehensive Bibliography and Index.

For more about Tong please buy the book. The profits from the sale of the book will go towards maintaining Tong Church. You can also donate to the church appeal online.

Tong have launched an appeal to mark 600 years of Tong Church. Please help us save our church. Full details are on our Tong 600 Appeal pages.