Preface

PREFACE

This volume of the Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem covers the first six years of the reign of Richard II and part of the seventh. Most of the documents printed here were formerly part of the class known as Escheats, or Inquisitions post mortem, which has been completely redistributed. As in previous volumes a table is included to show the present whereabouts of all the documents of the relevant years which were formerly in that class.

The text is based, wherever possible, on the Chancery class of Inquisitions post mortem, Richard II (C.136), gaps and deficiencies in which have been made good from two other classes: Exchequer Inquisitions post mortem, Series I (E.149) and Exchequer Enrolments of Inquisitions (E.152). For convenience of citation every inquisition has been given a separate entry number, which relates equally to any writ or commission preceding it.

This volume is the work of many Assistant Keepers of the Public Records past and present, but notably of the late Mr. M. C. B. Dawes, B.A., who prepared the text, Mr. A. C. Wood, M.A., who saw the text through the press, and Miss D. H. Gifford, B.A., Ph.D., who was responsible for the greater part of the Index which she saw through the press.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

May 1969