WeRead Powered by ReaderPub
The Commune of London, and other studies cover

The Commune of London, and other studies

Chapter 2: Prefatory Letter
By John Horace Round
Open in WeRead

Explore more books like this:

History - BritishHistory - Medieval/Middle Ages

About This Book

The collection presents rigorous studies of medieval institutions and events, combining close documentary analysis with reinterpretations of established problems. Essays trace the development of urban government in London, assess the communal movement and municipal offices, and examine fiscal and administrative origins including the royal treasury. Other pieces evaluate charters and place‑names, reconsider military ventures and Anglo‑Norman campaigns, and scrutinize papal involvement in the conquest of Ireland. A recurring emphasis is on critical source analysis and the financial underpinnings of political and institutional change.

Prefatory Letter

DEAR MR. ROUND,

I have to thank you for kindly letting me see the advance proofs of your new book. It is difficult for me to explain the very great advantage which the study of your books has been to me in my endeavour to get at the facts, especially those of the 12th century, connected with the history of London. For instance, I have found in your pages for the first time a working theory of the very difficult questions connected with the creation of the municipality. I have adopted your conclusions to the best of my ability with, I hope, an adequate expression of thanks to the source from which they are derived.

I would also point out the great service which you have rendered to the history of the City by giving, for the first time, the exact truth regarding the conveyance of the Portsoken to the Priory of the Holy Trinity, an event which has been hitherto totally misunderstood.

Thirdly, I must acknowledge that it is only from your pages, especially a certain appendix to ‘Geoffrey de Mandeville,’ that one can understand the ordinary position of the clergy of the City of London in the 12th century.

It is unnecessary for me to enumerate many other obligations which I owe to your pages.

I remain, dear Mr. Round,

Very faithfully yours,

WALTER BESANT.

Office of the Survey of London,

July 6th, 1899.