RIOTERS left a trail of destruction after a night of heavy drinking and “outrageous” behaviour in a Herefordshire village.

Some 13 revellers from Almeley, reported to be “drinking, swearing, wrangling and shooting”, were found guilty of shocking scenes at Lyonshall, where they destroyed a bridge. They also broke the village stocks and whipping post: the year was 1679.

Details of their crime have been unearthed by husband and wife historians John and Sarah Zaluckyj, who have peeled back centuries’ worth of ancient documents to reveal an in-depth study of the village where they have lived since 1993.

Poring over 16th and 17th century documents they have uncovered the life and times of ordinary villagers, as well as the medieval lords of the parish, some of them holding nationally important positions, some executed for treason.

A History of Lyonshall, From Prehistory to 1850 and launched this week by Logaston Press, breathes life and vigour into parish history dating back into the mists of time.

Their study was first mooted by the late Robert Jenkins, a widely-known Kington journalist and antiquarian bookseller, and commissioned by Andy and Karen Johnson from Logaston Press. The book is dedicated to the authors’ parents, and to Lyonshall’s much-loved character, 69-year-old Michael East – ‘Wizard’ – who died earlier this year. He is described as having “encapsulated everything that was good about Lyonshall”.

John and Sarah - her earlier book, Mercia, has been reprinted many times - fitted 11 years’ worth of research around their busy working lives as booksellers. Their journey through Lyonshall past has yielded a comprehensive study of the village’s social and economic history.

“It has been an amazing journey,” explains John. “We have looked at old documents probably opened for the first time in over 400 years, we feel we have given a voice to people who are long forgotten.”

Their quest has meant learning to decipher 16th and 17th century writing, and piecing together the information gleaned has required detective-like skills. “I think I’ve missed my metier!” says Sarah.

Their search began when they moved into a 17th century half-timbered cottage in Lyonshall, and felt curious about its own history. “We naively thought we could find it out yet, despite all our research, we still don’t know who lived there before 1840,” says Sarah.

But they have given a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the people of the past.

“History might have forgotten them, but we feel we have given their voices back,” says John.

*A History of Lyonshall From Prehistory to 1850 published by Logaston Press is available in paperback at £15.