Publications
William Henry Hawley, Assistant Poor Law Commissioner, by Spencer Thomas, published Autumn 2000 in West Sussex History, the Journal of West Sussex Archives Society (no. 66, article, p.32) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16404/66] & The Keep [LIB/500490]
Midhurst, by John Magilton and Spencer Thomas, published 2001 (148 pp., Chichester District Council, ISBN-10: 0850170052 & ISBN-13: 9780850170054) accessible at: West Sussex Libraries
Rev. Thomas Sockett (1777-1859) Rector of Petworth (1816-1859): Factotum, 'worthy' and Champion of the Poor, by Spencer Thomas, published Spring 2002 in West Sussex History, the Journal of West Sussex Archives Society (no. 69, article, p.3) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16404/69] & The Keep [LIB/500493]
John Barton Hack (1805-1884) and other Chichester pioneers in South Australia, by Spencer Thomas, published Autumn 2002 in West Sussex History, the Journal of West Sussex Archives Society (no. 70, article, p.28) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16404/70] & The Keep [LIB/500494]
West Sussex Events: Four Centuries of Fortune and Misfortune, by Spencer Thomas, published 1 October 2003 (144 pp., Chichester: Phillimore & Co. Ltd., ISBN-10: 1860772617 & ISBN-13: 9781860772610) accessible at: West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries
Abstract:West Sussex has a long and interesting history. This fascinating new book presents for the first time a collection of the most dramatic 'events' in that long history, all, since the invention of the camera, captured by enterprising photographers. A picture speaks a thousand words - and never more so than when it records a moment in history that can never be repeated. Well within living memory, happenings such as the great freeze of 1962-3, or the great hurricane of 1987 will stir recollections for many readers, as will many stories and pictures from the Second World War. But, whatever the period or part of the county, there is a great deal to intrigue and inform everyone in West Sussex in this splendid addition to its published history . . the stories and the pictures of the events that made the headlines!
The Battle of Gosdens Heath: a Hundred Years War, by Spencer Thomas, published Autumn 2003 in West Sussex History, the Journal of West Sussex Archives Society (no. 72, article, p.4) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16404/72] & The Keep [LIB/500496]
John Hurst, Rector of Thakeham 1834-1881: a Victorian parson who behaved badly, by Spencer Thomas, published Autumn 2006 in West Sussex History, the Journal of West Sussex Archives Society (no. 75, article, p.4) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16404/75] & The Keep [LIB/500499]
Houses and parliament: local politics, tenure and 'townscapes': the case of Sussex Boroughs in the 'long eighteenth century', by Spencer Thomas, published 2010 in Sussex Archæological Collections (vol. 148, article, pp.157-176) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 18613] & The Keep [LIB/500366] & S.A.S. library View Online
Abstract:Little or no attention has been paid to the relationship between electioneering and urban morphology before 1832 despite a general literature that documents patrons' manipulation of small boroughs to improve and/or ensure their or their nominees' election to parliament.1 In Sussex, proprietorial boroughs revealed a pernicious association between the electoral ambitions, power and influence of local landed interests, both aristocracy and gentry, and the acquisition of burgage plots. Their ruthlessness had a profound impact on the appearance of places subject to burgage and related tenures.
The origin, evolution and extent of two-row villages in Sussex, by Spencer Thomas, published 2011 in West Sussex History, the Journal of West Sussex Archives Society (no. 79, article, p.50) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16404/79] & The Keep [LIB/500503]
Two Sussex Suffragette sisters and the centenary of the Long march of the Brown women, by Spencer Thomas, published 2012 in West Sussex History, the Journal of West Sussex Archives Society (no. 80, article, p.25) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16404/80] & The Keep [LIB/500504]
Phew, pews! Disputes and death: furore over church seating, by Spencer Thomas, published 2014 in West Sussex History, the Journal of West Sussex Archives Society (no. 82, article, p.17) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16404/82] & The Keep [LIB/508014]