This volume was promised by the author for inclusion among the Cambridge Studies in English Legal History while Professor H. D. Hazeltine was general editor of the series. It gives me particular pleasure that the first volume to appear in it since I succeeded him should be the work of so distinguished a scholar as Miss Putnam. All who are interested in legal and constitutional history will learn with deep regret from her preface that, owing to the sad disability which has fallen upon her, this work must be her last. As she has stated, the book was seen through the press by Mr E. L. G. Stones of Glasgow University. I add my thanks to hers for the care with which this exacting task has been performed.

It is fitting that I should record here how much this series owes to Professor Hazeltine. Its inception was due to his initiative and enthusiasm, and his judgment ensured the high standard of its volumes, many of which he enriched by valuable contributions of his own in the form of prefaces.