Billericay in Essex was originally a prehistoric settlement. This book tells its story from those times, through the Roman occupation, its eclipse and its subsequent rise in importance. It describes the change from a rural market town in the mid-nineteenth century to a dormitory town for London after the coming of the railway in 1889. This is the first detailed history of Billericay, packed with original research and a multitude of previously unpublished illustrations from many sources. Author Charles Phillips brings the story right up to date, and his book is an ideal introduction for all the town's residents, as well as anyone interested in the history of Essex.