assemblies, were reduced into writing by the clergy, who in so doing modified them very considerably; and this they always did with a view to reduce them to accordance with the civil law of Rome, and the canon law of the church. They also borrowed their legal phraseology from these sources.

As the ecclesiastical regulations introduced into this country by the Christian clergy were all based on the teaching of the catholic church, no apology is necessary for a reference to foreign councils as evidence of their meaning.

To the chapters devoted to the main topic of this work, viz., the history of domestic civilisation, I have added a few others to complete the picture of domestic life in England from the fifth to the eleventh century. I should have added a chapter on domestic manners and architecture, but this subject has been lately treated at length by my friend Mr. Thomas Wright.' I avail myself of the opportunity which a preface affords, to express my obligations to him for his careful perusal of the following pages prior to their publication, for many valuable suggestions, and for the assistance he has afforded me in passing them through the press.

I have in the appendix given a glossary of the few technical terms with which I have been unable to dispense.

7, Warwick Square, S.W.

April 21, 1862.

J. T.

History of Domestic Manners and Sentiments of England during the Middle Ages, by Thomas Wright, F.S.A.