In regard to choice of subject-matter, while trying to satisfy the natural demand for certain "stock" documents of vital importance, we hope to introduce much fresh and novel matter. It is our intention that the majority of the extracts should be lively in style--that is, personal, or descriptive, or rhetorical, or even strongly partisan--and should not so much profess to give the truth as supply data for inference. We aim at the greatest possible variety, and lay under contribution letters, biographies, ballads and poems, diaries, debates, and newspaper accounts. Economics, London, municipal, and social life generally, and local history, are represented in these pages.
The order of the extracts is strictly chronological, each being numbered, titled, and dated, and its authority given. The text is modernised, where necessary, to the extent of leaving no difficulties in reading.
We shall be most grateful to teachers and students who may send us suggestions for improvement.
I am indebted to Messrs. MacLehose and Co. for permission to reprint two passages from Sir Herbert Maxwell's translation of the "Chronicle of Lanercost," which appeared in the _Scottish Historical Review_.
1216. CORONATION OF HENRY III. _Roger of Wendover_ 1
1217. THE FAIR OF LINCOLN _Annals of Dunstable_ 2
1217. THE BATTLE OF SANDWICH _Histoire des Ducs_ 4
1217. WHY LOUIS WAS UNSUCCESSFUL IN ENGLAND _Canon of Barnwell_ 5
1217. CHARTER OF THE FOREST _Statutes of the Realm_ 5
1223. A WRESTLING-MATCH AND DISTURBANCES IN LONDON _Annals of Dunstable_ 9
1224. THE COMING OF THE FRIARS _Monumenta Franciscana_ 10
1224. THE RULE OF ST. FRANCIS _Monumenta Franciscana_ 13
1226. PAPAL DEMANDS FOR PREBENDS _Roger of Wendover_ 16
1227. HENRY ANNULS THE GRANTS MADE DURING HIS MINORITY _Roger of Wendover_ 18
1232. ACCUSATIONS AGAINST HUBERT DE BURGH _State Trials_ 19
1233. THE POITEVIN INVASION _Roger of Wendover_ 21
1238. THE PAPAL LEGATE AT OXFORD _Matthew Paris_ 23
1240-44. PAPAL EXACTIONS _Matthew of Westminster_ 25
1242. THE ENGLISH IN FRANCE _Matthew of Westminster_ 27
1248. THE KING VEXES HIS SUBJECTS _Matthew Paris_ 32
1249. A CHANGE OF RULER IN SCOTLAND _John of Fordun_ 34
1253. THE MISDEEDS OF THE SENESCHAL CHRONICON OF GASCONY _Thomæ Wykes_ 35