It is always interesting to see historic articles written by those closer to the times in question, writing before the modern age had really begun.
The most famous and arguably the most informative is the “Antiquities of Warwickshire” work written by William Dugdale, first published in 1656. It was updated and republished after his death with informative maps provided by Henry Beighton in 1729. Extracts from the Dugdale book have been used by historians over the ages, and are referenced here as appropriate. A full review of the Dugdale book is pending.
One of the earliest accounts is from the 1790s, a book entitled “Picturesque Views on the Warwickshire, or Upper Avon”, written by Samuel Ireland and published in 1795. The book considers the various settlements alongside the River Avon in Warwickshire, and has specific reference to Newnham Regis from around the time St Laurence’s Church was being dismantled. He comments on the Newnham Baths as well as the discovery of remains at St Laurence’s that pre-dates the discoveries in the 19th Century.
An excellent book called Rugby Past and Present was published in 1893 written by Rev W O Wait. The diagram of the village green is particularly informative. You can find the local extract for Kings Newnham here and for Church Lawford here.
Local historian and archaeologist Matthew Holbeche Bloxam produced a series of writings about Rugby, Rugby School and the local area during the nineteenth century. They were published in a compendium in 1889 although his section on the local villages is fairly brief, with more consideration for Little Lawford Hall.
A E Treen also wrote an excellent book called “Walking in and around Rugby” published in 1895 which can be found in Rugby Library. He also wrote a series of articles for the Rugby Advertiser, looking at several of the locations from the book, with even more detail. Fortunately Kings Newnham was one of those locations, and that text has been transcribed from an early 20th century issue of the newspaper here.
Emily Robinson L.L.A. hosted a history tour of the local area in 1921, considering the Kings Newnham baths, the alluvial deposits and the discoveries at St Laurence’s Church – detailed here.
More information on historical resources are detailed in the “Resources” section of this archive, notably at Warwick Records Office.
Another useful insight into the period from publications made at that time are from the Business Directories. The White’s 1874 directory has a potted history for both villages, as well as details of the current population – see here. Although not as detailed, the Kelly’s directory of 1850 also has valuable insights – here. Similarly the 1900 Kellys Directory for Kings Newnham is here, and Church Lawford here.
Various local history books can also be found at Hunts Bookshop or via their online service.