Book excerpt: Originally published in 1944, this book contains sixteen essays on the history of Cambridge, Oxford and other English communities in the medieval period, particularly the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. Cam argues in her introduction that 'medieval local government can only be understood through much short range study of particular places and institutions', and uses the rich history of these areas as a microcosm of wider historical change and development. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in English medieval history and the role of small communities in implementing and creating change.