Professor M. W. Beresford (1920-2005) had an abiding interest in the evidence of maps for reconstructing the appearance of the English countryside in the past, which led to several reference publications. He was also a Professor of Economic History in the University of Leeds, and the first Chairman of the School of Economic Studies. J.G. Hurst (1927-2003) was the Inspector of Ancient Monuments for the Ministry of Public Building and Works, a founding member of the Society for Medieval Archaeology and President of the Society for Post-Medieval Archaeology.

• AcknowledgmentsList of Tables in the TextList of PlatesList of Figures in the TextEditors' IntroductionPart One: England1 A Review of Historical Research (to 1968) - M. W. Beresford, Professor of Economic History in the University of LeedsIntroductionI: Early DesertionII: The Black DeathIII: Depopulation and SheepIV: Depopulation ArrestedV: Antecedents of DepopulationVI: Vulnerability to DepopulationVII: Village Sites after DesertionVIII: Goldsmith's Deserted VillageIX: Fieldwork and Site QualityX: The Work of The Deserted Medieval Village Research GroupXI: Other Developments, 1954-68Envoi: Beyond Britain2 A Review of Archaeological Research (to 1968) - J. G. Hurst, Inspector of Ancient Monuments, Ministry of Public Building and WorksIntroductionI: Building ConstructionII: Building Plans and UsesIII: The Changing Village PlanIV: General Economic Development3 Gazetteer of Excavations at Medieval House and Village Sites (to 1968) - J. G. Hurst4 An Historian's Appraisal of Archaeological Research - M. W. BeresfordIntroductionI: DatingII: Changes in House StructureIII: Changes in Village PlansIV: The Society for Medieval ArchaeologyV: Personal5 County Gazetteers of Deserted Medieval Villages (known in 1968) - Ed. Dr. J. Sheail, Scientific Officer, Nature Conservancy6 Select Bibliography, England - Ed. J. G. HurstPart Two: Scotland7 The Study of Deserted Medieval Settlements in Scotland (to 1968)I Rural Settlement - H. Fairhurst, Department of Archaeology, University of GlasgowII The Peasant-House - J. G. Dunbar, Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland8 Select Bibliography, ScotlandPart Three: Wales9 The Study of Deserted Medieval Settlements in Wales (to 1968) - Dr. L. A. S. Butler, Lecturer in Medieval Archaeology, University of LeedsI: Historical IntroductionII: Excavation10 I Gazetteer of Excavated Sites in WalesII Select BibliographyPart Four: Ireland11 The Study of Deserted Medieval Settlements in Ireland (to 1968) - Dr. R. E. Glasscock, Lecturer in Geography, The Queen's University, BelfastI: Rural SettlementII: The Peasant-House12 I Gazetteer of Deserted Towns, Rural-Boroughs, and Nucleated Settlements in IrelandII Select BibliographyAppendicesI Memoranda on the Preservation of Deserted Medieval Village SitesII Fieldwork QuestionnaireIndex Mrs. A. F. Morley