THE changes in this new edition have had in view three
main purposes: to correct errors; to incorporate the results
of recent research, and to bring the bibliography up to
date; and to assist the reader by identifying some of the minor
characters and explaining some of the less familiar contemporary
terms.

In the revision I have enjoyed the assistance of Clarence L.
Ver Steeg of Northwestern University for colonial history and
of F. P. Wilson of the University of Oxford for literature. Sir
George Clark, the editor of the Oxford History of England, has
once again placed me heavily in his debt by giving me many
fruitful suggestions.

G. D.

1 September 1955

MR. GODFREY DAVIES, the author of this book, died on 28 May
1957. It therefore fell to my lot to see this second edition
through the press. I have added references to some publications
which appeared after the above Preface was written: several of
them had been reviewed by Mr. Davies himself. I must also pay
my tribute here to the devotion with which he carried on his
historical studies in defiance of long-protracted illness, and to
his generous friendship through many years.

G. N. C.

-v-