Snape tells the story of how a small village in East Suffolk came to prominence in the nineteenth century through the lawlessness of its inhabitants, the resilience of its farmers, the hard work of its agricultural labourers and through the enterprise, dedication and generosity of Newson Garrett, founder of Snape Maltings, and the members of his family. Drawing extensively on contemporary art, literature, poetry, reports, newspapers and magazines, this account provides glimpses of the life of those who lived in, or were born in, Snape, set in the context of some of the ongoing national events and debates which bore upon the life of the villagers.