PREFACE.

This little work—merely the outcome of the study of local history as a hobby—was written with a view to popular publication. On this account it was produced in short chapters with brief paragraphs, though the latter were in part unavoidable, on account of the fragmentary character of the materials. Also, long dissertations were avoided, and where it was deemed necessary to dip into comparatively extraneous matter the passages were condensed as much as possible,—indeed conciseness has been attempted throughout. All notes, explanations, and commentaries have been included in the text, and— while omitting no single accessible item—everything not directly connected with the subject has been excluded. The chronological arrangement, it is hoped, will in some measure compensate for the lack of an index. By such means I have endeavoured to produce, not merely a collection of data, but a readable history.

Possibly I have made an unwarrantable departure in withholding my authorities, except in a few odd instances. I have done so because the great majority of readers do not care to know them, and it would, in a measure, break the continuity of a chronicle, while those versed in subjects of this class know quite well where to look for them. Briefly, however, I must here acknowledge the sources to which I am principally indebted.

First and foremost, of course, without staying to particularise the works, comes that sine qua non to the local historian, the splendid series comprised under the general title of the "Government Record Publications." From these, in particular the State Papers, Close Rolls, and Original Rolls, the bulk of the material has been gleaned.

Pretty well all local works also, from the indispensable Thoroton downwards, have been searched and the relevant matter abstracted.

The passages relating to the visits of Henry II., not previously recorded locally, are from Eyton's excellent itinerary of that king, a work which supersedes the hitherto unsurpassed "outline of Professor Stubbs.

The dates of John's visits were, with one exception, supplied by Duffus Hardy's itinerary, in Archaeologia."

I have had no opportunity for making original research. All extracts are from such printed books as are accessible in the Nottingham Free Library, where, for the convenience of students, I intend to deposit a copy of this work with all authorities acknowledged in the margin.

As the evidence of the visits of monarchs is frequently to be found only in the testamentary clauses of the various documents issued on the occasion, and as such documents are, in cases, of some importance to history, brief notes or abstracts of such as have been met with are included, for the sake of their local connection.

Though in this little work I have preferred to condense passages rather than omit the most inconsiderate items that have come under notice, yet it is likely I have overlooked matters which should have been included. For this and other deficiencies some palliation, I venture to hope, will be found in the circumstance that the work was conceived and commenced before the writer

attained his majority—being completed at odd hours and amid difficulties—while it will be in the hands of the reader within less than a year after that event.

A. STAPLETON.

15, Carlton Road,
Nottingham,
November, 1890.

 

ERRATA.

1088, page 7.—Roger de Busli's gift of tithe to Blythe Priory, according to Thoroton, refers to the village of the same name in South Notts.— also owned by De Busli. In the grant, the name is spelt in the same way as both occur in Domesday Book. In the latter record, also, by a curious coincidence, the two places are mentioned as of equal value both before and after the Conquest. Doubtless, however, Thoroton is right, for the reference in the grant occurs among other villages in that neighbourhood.

11th. Henry II., page 11.—The passage referring to this date should be under 11th, Henry III.

1290, page 35.—Several slight printer's errors have been noticed, but it has only been deemed necessary to correct the one on this page, where 160 should be 16d.