1. Why was dictum founded? (And who's that bunch of students in the photo?)

dictum was initially set up as a means of publishing the Oxford and Cambridge Reformation Walking Tour. Julia had taken a group of Oxford postgrads from St Ebbe's Church (Thesis) on the walk in Trinity Term, 2017. Here they are, on the steps of the Martyrs' Memorial. In short, their interest and questions led to the print version of the tour. 

As trade publishers considered the title 'too niche', indie was the way forward. 

Since then, dictum has also become the successor to Didasko Publishing.

2. Will there be further dictum titles? Or further Didasko Files?

Yes, there will be new dictum titles, but only if they are too niche for the trade. Two are currently planned for 2019.

The Didasko Files name will no longer be used, but certain of its titles will be available in different formats, published by dictum. Please use the contact form if you have questions about how to get hold of specific titles. 

3. Does dictum have a statement of faith?

It borrows others! Any book written or edited by Julia is consonant with the UCCF doctrinal basis and the Cape Town Confession of Faith. 

4. Does dictum accept unsolicited manuscripts?

No. We regret that we aren't able to do that. 

5. Can you give us a glimpse into your newest book?

Only a glimpse. It's a very different kind of book. Simeon the cat (named after Charles Simeon) introduces the three Oxfords - the university, the city, and the Oxford of imagination. He wanders in and out of reality without knowing where fantasy begins. It's a lot of fun. Publication date to be announced.

FAQs RELATING TO THE OXBRIDGE REFORMATION WALKING TOUR

1. Is the Reformation Walking Tour available in North America? 

Yes. It is sold on Amazon.com. Blackwells will fulfil the Amazon orders from the UK, so it takes a few days for the book to arrive. If you have any problems in getting a copy, please use the contact form.

2. How long do the Reformation walks take?

Each walk can be done within two hours. But if you have longer, you can follow sideways trails in the 'Glancing Around' sections.

3. How much does it cost to see the Reformation sights?

In Oxford the walk involves entrance only into churches, and there is no charge for this. However St Michael-at-the-Northgate charges a small fee if you want to climb the tower. (Here you would see the door of the Bocardo jail where the Reformers were imprisoned.)

Should you wish to visit the Cathedral, which is within Christ Church, you could queue as a tourist (entrance fee £8) or you could participate in one of the Cathedral services, entering through the main Tom Gate on St Aldates. There is then no charge for entrance. 

Several colleges are open to the public for a small fee. However Hertford College, home to William Tyndale, isn't open to the public.

The Divinity School may be seen in a tour of the Bodleian Library. These tours run throughout the day, and cost around £6.

In Cambridge you may like to enter some colleges. Please bear in mind that these are residential and working communities, so it is not always possible to look around them. As with Oxford colleges, a small fee is sometimes charged.

All sites in both towns can easily be viewed from outside.

4. Are there other guides to historic Christian sites which you would recommend?

There are excellent books on the wider Christian history of Oxford and Cambridge by Andrew Atherstone (Travel through Oxford) and David Berkley (Travel through Cambridge), both published by Day One, and available globally.  Andrew Atherstone's Travel with the Martyrs of Mary Tudor (also Day One) gives a picture of all those who died under Bloody Mary's reign.

NB Cambridge Christian Heritage (see map on the inside back cover) offers a fine exhibition and daily walking tours, which include aspects of the Reformation.

5. Is there a mobile-friendly version of this Reformation Walking Tour?

Yes, for Oxford. This has been created by the Taylor Institution as part of the university's Oxford Stories project.  Our thanks to Prof Henrike Lähnemann and Emma Huber for their idea. It covers pp 12-29 of the book.  The QR code is found on p4.It'