The ever-growing interest in local history has seen numerous books on the industrial and religious heritage of Sunderland published in recent years.

But the latest offering, Sunderland And Its Origins: Monks To Mariners, provides a unique insight into the very earliest events in the town's life.

Written by academics at Sunderland and Durham universities, the beautifully-illustrated paperback chronicles the story of Wearside from prehistoric to early modern times.

And it has already received the full support of historian and broadcaster Michael Wood, author of more than 60 TV history films, who has provided a foreword for the book.

"The great historian W.G. Hoskins used to tease his students that it ought to be possible to tell the history of the nation from any one place," he said.

"History is about the life of the people and this fascinating and accessible portrait of Sunderland more than meets that challenge."

The opening chapter of Sunderland And Its Origins concentrates on the prehistoric heritage of Wearside, from the first hunter-gathers to Bronze and Iron Age farmers.

Several pages are also devoted to the Neolithic and Bronze Age sites of Hastings Hill and Copt Hill, where early Wearsiders lived and worshipped 6,000 years ago.

Ancient farming relics, shards of pottery, weapon fragments and burial sites have been found on both hills, together with the bones of men, women and children.

"The history of human settlement goes back several thousand years before the first appearance of the name Sunderland in a document of 1183," said Mr Wood.

"That earlier history takes in Britons, Saxons and Vikings. But pride of place, perhaps, goes to an unassuming church, not far from the north end of the bridge.

"St Peter's was founded in 674 and still surviving are the tall narrow nave and entrance porch, pioneering structures from when it was a powerhouse of European culture."

Sunderland And Its Origins examines, in great detail, the foundation and early history of the Anglo-Saxon monastery of St Peter's at
Wearmouth.

Models are used to illustrate its original appearance, while detailed pictures and maps help chart how important the site once was in early times.

"This part of Wearside is a resonant place in the British story, not least because the first historian of these islands, Bede, may well have been a Sunderland man," said Mr Wood.

"In his autobiographical postscript to his Ecclesiastical History of the English People, the Venerable Bede says he was born 'on the territory of this monastery'."

Other subjects detailed in the book include the rural settlements of Bishopwearmouth and Monkwearmouth, Roman influences, Hylton Castle and medieval daily life.

There are also chapters on Sunderland's river and mining heritage and the rise of the early town, as well as the changes brought about by the Civil War.

"This book represents a triumph of team effort," said one of the main authors, Christine Newman, who wrote several chapters on religion and medieval life.

"It includes contributions from a number of academic specialists, as well as valuable input by local volunteers, who transcribed numerous wills and other documents."

Sunderland And Its Origins is the fourth in a series of books produced by the Victoria County History Trust (VCH), as part of its England for Everyone project.

Funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, the scheme brings together academics and volunteers to produce history books of wide appeal, backed by interactive websites.

A second book on Sunderland, looking at the development of local townscapes, is now in the planning stages, and VCH executive editor Alan Thacker said:

"Sunderland And Its Origins is a pioneering work. It is the first book to devote itself exclusively to Sunderland's rich past before it emerged as a great industrial centre."

* Sunderland and its Origins, by Maureen M. Meikle and Christine M. Newman, is published by Phillimore and Co Ltd and on sale at £14.99. An interactive website backing up the book can be accessed at www.englandspastforeveryone.org.uk

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