[This is an update from posts in September 2020, July 2022, August 2024 & August 2025.]
Keith Fisher, a North East historian, has spent eight years researching this story resulting in a fascinating book about the German sword-smiths in Shotley Bridge.
Keith explains:
“A request from my friend – a local historian, lecturer and publisher of books on North Eastern heritage, to suggest a topic she could use at men’s clubs and associations – prompted me to give her David Richardson’s famous book on the German swordmakers of Shotley Bridge. As I attempted to precis the book for her, and studied all others like it, I realised this was a huge story far beyond a one hour lecture which has resulted in an eight year research project resulting in a very substantial book.”
Keith has given the Village Trust permission to post a .pdf version of his book as a free download.
Either scroll through the image below or download the file to read.
Note: This version of the book was updated in January 2026 to include a new section at the rear plus augmented and amended narrative.
Anyone interested in a print copy should email Keith at keithfisher@blueyonder.co.uk
[Note: The original title of the book was “The Sword in the Hat” – Shotley Bridge and the Bushy Tailed Fox.]
Shotley Bridge Village Trust 
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