A few points of detail should, perhaps, be mentioned. The text of transcripts has been scrupulously preserved, even where it seemed corrupt; and all my extensions as to which any possible question could arise are enclosed in square brackets. The so-called "new style" has been adhered to throughout: that is to say, the dates given are those of the true historical year, irrespective of the wholly artificial reckoning from March 25. The form "fitz," denounced by purists, has been retained as a necessary convention, the admirable Calendar of Patent Rolls, now in course of publication, having demonstrated the impossibility of devising a satisfactory substitute. As to the spelling of Christian names, no attempt has been made to produce that pedantic uniformity which, in the twelfth century, was unknown. It is hoped that the index may be found serviceable and complete. The allusions to "the lost volume of the Great Coucher" (of the duchy of Lancaster) are based on references to that compilation by seventeenth-century transcribers, which cannot be identified in the volumes now preserved. It is to be feared that the volume most in request among antiquaries may, in those days, have been "lent out" (cf. p. 183), with the usual result. I am anxious to call attention to its existence in the hope of its ultimate recovery.
There remains the pleasant task of tendering my thanks to Mr. Hubert Hall, of H.M.'s Public Record Office, and Mr. F. Bickley, of the MS. Department, British Museum, for their invariable courtesy and assistance in the course of my researches. To Mr. Douglass Round I am indebted for several useful suggestions, and for much valuable help in passing these pages through the press.
J. H. ROUND.
Pau,
Christmas, 1891.
[1] Preface to my Ancient Charters (Pipe-Roll Society).
[2] Staffordshire Survey, p. 277.
CONTENTS
| Page | ||
| CHAPTER I. | ||
| The Accession of Stephen | [1] | |
| CHAPTER II. | ||
| The First Charter of the King | [37] | |
| CHAPTER III. | ||
| Triumph of the Empress | [55] | |
| CHAPTER IV. | ||
| The First Charter of the Empress | [81] | |
| CHAPTER V. | ||
| The Lost Charter of the Queen | [114] | |
| CHAPTER VI. | ||
| The Rout of Winchester | [123] | |
| CHAPTER VII. | ||
| The Second Charter of the King | [136] | |
| CHAPTER VIII. | ||
| The Second Charter of the Empress | [163] | |
| CHAPTER IX. | ||
| Fall and Death of Geoffrey | [201] | |
| CHAPTER X. | ||
| The Earldom of Essex | [227] | |
| APPENDICES. | ||
| A. | Stephen's Treaty with the Londoners | [247] |
| B. | The Appeal to Rome in 1136 | [250] |
| C. | The Easter Court of 1136 | [262] |
| D. | The "Fiscal" Earls | [267] |
| E. | The Arrival of the Empress | [278] |
| F. | The Defection of Miles of Gloucester | [284] |
| G. | Charter of the Empress to Roger de Valoines | [286] |
| H. | The "Tertius Denarius" | [287] |
| I. | "Vicecomites" and "Custodes" | [297] |
| J. | The Great Seal of the Empress | [299] |
| K. | Gervase de Cornhill | [304] |
| L. | Charter of the Empress to William de Beauchamp | [313] |
| M. | The Earldom of Arundel | [316] |
| N. | Robert de Vere | [326] |
| O. | "Tower" and "Castle" | [328] |
| P. | The Early Administration of London | [347] |
| Q. | Osbertus Octodenarii | [374] |
| R. | The Forest of Essex | [376] |
| S. | The Treaty of Alliance between the Earls of Hereford and Gloucester | [379] |
| T. | "Affidatio in manu" | [384] |
| U. | The Families of Mandeville and De Vere | [388] |
| V. | William of Arques | [397] |
| X. | Roger "de Ramis" | [399] |
| Y. | The First and Second Visits of Henry II. to England | [405] |
| Z. | Bishop Nigel at Rome | [411] |
| AA. | "Tenserie" | [414] |
| BB. | The Empress's Charter to Geoffrey Ridel | [417] |
| EXCURSUS. | ||
| The Creation of the Earldom of Gloucester | [420] | |
| ADDENDA | [437] | |
| INDEX | [441] | |