A set of essays around the theme of governance addressing a wide range of questions on the ordering or order and the organization and legitimation of authority. The historical dynamic follows the change from the 17th- and 18th-century chartered governments to representative regimes. 'Urban history is...undergoing something of a renaissance and the excellent collection of papers in Urban Governance should help with the refocusing of the subject in Britain and has massive implications for the study of the subject elsewhere...a seminal collection of papers that all teachers should read.' Teaching History 'Very intelligent editing and ordering and the inclusion of a number of thematic papers has helped to provide considerable coherence....This is a good book, a worthy contribution to a worthy new series from Ashgate...(it) would undoubtedly command a prominent place on any reading list addressing the Victorian city or the nature of urban power in the nineteenth century.' Reviews in History '...this book represents an important contribution to our understanding of urban governance in Britain. It gives substance to historical processes of change and represents the type of reading that should be a starting-point for current researchers engaging with the processes and practices of local governance...recommended for urban researchers.' Urban Studies