PREFACE HIS hand-book is intended to furnish the necessary THIS basis of facts for those who are hearing historical lectures, or reading history apart from a teacher. It aims also at concentrating information upon dates, genealogies, historical geography, officials, wars, and constitutional documents, which is usually only to be found scattered in different volumes. References will be found to the places where acts and documents are to be seen in print, and references are also given to general histories and to special works, useful at various periods and for various subjects. Mention is also made of the small histories which deal with the several reigns. No attempt has been made to give a complete list of such books. Little reference has been made to the original narrative authorities for the earlier half of the history. The students who may use such a book as this do not all of them understand Anglo-Saxon, old French, nor Medieval Latin. Such as do, and can avail themselves of the authorities, will find an excellent guide in The Introduction to English History, by Dr. Gardiner and Mr. Bass Mullinger. No one can be more conscious than the author of the imperfections of such a work as this, and it is impossible to hope that no inaccuracies have crept into it. He trusts that they are neither numerous nor important. ""Tis not so deep as a well, nor so wide as a church door; but 't is enough, 't will serve." Matters before the Norman Conquest are arranged under subjects. Subsequently they are arranged reign by reign, except when, as in the Reformation and some other times, the interest makes some departure from this plan advisable. Kitlands, Surrey, 1894. HENRY ELLIOT MALDEN. |