possible, so that readers who were in the mood might
obtain further information by following them up. 

In a book covering a long period and touching
national and local history at many points, I cannot
hope to have escaped errors; and I shall be grateful
if readers will bring them to my notice. 

I need hardly say I am especially indebted to
the splendid work accomplished by Dr.  Montague
Rhodes James, the Provost of King's College, in
editing The Ancient Libraries of Canterbury and
Dover, and in compiling the great series of descriptive
catalogues of manuscripts in Cambridge and
other colleges.  I have long marvelled at Dr.  James'
patient research; at his steady perseverance in an
aim which, even when attained--as it now has been--
could only win him the admiration and esteem of
a few scholars and lovers of old books.