This book is a tribute to one of the most influential historians at work today, who
has graced the profession for nearly fifty years. It is a symbol of our esteem as his
friends and colleagues, with our hopes that he will have many more years yet of
scholarship, good health, and happiness. I am deeply grateful to the publishers
and to all the contributors for their encouragement and cooperation in the
making of this book. I would also like to acknowledge with thanks the help and
advice extended to me by John Bourne, Henry Chadwick, John Cowdrey, John
Fenton, Eric Heaton, Roger Highfield, Sir Michael Howard, Arthur Middleton,
Basil Mitchell, Harry Pitt, John Roberts, Philip Waller, Maurice Wiles, and Blair
Worden. Bruce Mansfield and Richard Fargher read over and corrected the
introductory chapter in the most painstaking manner. Any inaccuracies left in it
are no fault of theirs. Caroline Aston's willing assistance was indispensable, while
Tony Morris at OUP provided, as ever, essential advice and support. Finally, it
is a great sadness for all of us that Peter Hinchliff, one of the contributors to this
book and Jack's successor as Regius Professor of Ecclesiastical History, died
before publication.

Nigel Aston
St Andrew's Day 1995

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