Preface

The Cartulary of Holy Trinity, Aldgate. Originally published by London Record Society, London, 1971.

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'Preface', in The Cartulary of Holy Trinity, Aldgate, (London, 1971) pp. vii. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/london-record-soc/vol7/vii [accessed 24 March 2024]

PREFACE

By publishing this calendar of the Cartulary of Holy Trinity Aldgate the London Record Society has made available a source important both for the topography and for the social and economic history of medieval London. My first duty is to acknowledge my deep debt to the University of Glasgow, the custodian of the Register, and especially to the University Librarian, Mr. R. O. Mackenna, who unhesitatingly sent the manuscript on loan to the Institute of Historical Research in London for a lengthy period and helped me on subsequent visits to Glasgow.

My thanks are also due to many scholars with whom I have discussed the problems of this edition over the years, and especially to Professor R. B. Pugh, Dr. C. J. Holdsworth, Dr. A. E. J. Hollaender of the Guildhall Library, Mr. Godfrey R. C. Davis and Mrs. A. Payne of the British Museum. Professor C. N. L. Brooke has saved me from the commission of many errors by reading through the typescript and suggesting emendations, and his research assistant Mrs. Gillian Keir from her knowledge of the original deeds has helped me with many difficulties in their cartulary copies. To Professor Francis Wormald I am doubly indebted both for his advice and for his note on the illuminations. Miss J. F. Payne helped to compile the large card catalogue upon which the index is based. Despite this help, errors for which I am alone responsible may remain. Had space and time permitted, I should like to have collated the Cartulary text with B.M. Lansdowne MS. 448, but my plea in extenuation must be that the Hunterian manuscript is a large one and that its publication has already been too long delayed.

G.A.J.H.

King's College, London