AN AUTHOR has released a book about the beginnings of a village near Halstead, in celebration of its forthcoming anniversary.

Dr Cate Gunn is a popular medievalist writer who specialises in ancient origins and religious literature.

Her latest offering centres on the history of Colne Engaine. Published by Millrind Press, Colne Engaine 1219 explores the historic village’s early lifestyle and environment, while also investigating the origins of the compact community’s name.

Cate has lived in Colne Engaine for more than 30 years, and has written the 90-page book to celebrate the village’s approaching 800th anniversary, its first rector and the establishment of its parish.

She said: “The book describes what a small village in northern Essex would have been like in the early 13th century and shows how traces of that ancient village are still apparent.

‘‘Colne Engaine is still, for example, a village of greens, old lanes and watermills – even if they are no longer working.’’

Cate, who became fascinated with medieval writings after studying an MA in women’s literature at Essex University, officially launched her new paperback at St Andrew’s Church in the village last weekend.

During the event and exhibition, she briefly took the audience through the twists and turns of their parish’s ancient and vibrant history, before giving them the chance to delve deeper during a Q&A and book signing at the village hall.

Copies of her book were available to buy and all profits generated from the sales were donated to the church.

She said: ‘‘Like many small churches, St Andrew’s faces new challenges and needs to raise funds to continue its work as it enters its ninth century.

‘‘This anniversary was the perfect opportunity to raise money and also to make people aware of the centrality of the church in the life of the village and the work it does.

‘‘We should celebrate the history of the church and village while looking to the future.’’

Colne Engaine 1219 is available now, priced £6.

It can be ordered here.