Page:Calendar of the Tavistock parish records.djvu/14

 viii Editor s Note.

commence, and which has hitherto been regarded as the earliest preserved.

In the preparation of this Calendar the documents have been classified in three divisions : Churchwardens' Accounts; Deeds and Associated Documents ; and Miscellaneous — each section being arranged in order of date. A description of each MS. is given, with any special point of interest. In dealing with the Warden Rolls personal entries have been reproduced. The following have been given either in full, or in full abstract: 1385-6, 1425-6, 1470-71, 1538-9, 1555-6, 1561-2, 1566-7, 1573-4, 1574-5. 1588-9, 1605-6, 1684-5. Many of the entries are periodical. It has not been thought necessary to repeat these, unless they were in some way of an exceptional character.

Nearly all the documents down to the reign of Henry VIII. are in Latin ; and several of those of later date. With the excep- tion of some very obscure passages, which are quoted as they stand, the whole have been translated, and in doubtful cases the original is given as well as the rendering. Great difficulty has been experienced from illegibility and imperfection, some of the MSS. crumbling under the touch ; but where there is a doubt it is indicated by an interrogation point [?]. Proper names and surnames are given in every case with their variations of spelling. Christian names have generally been translated into their modern forms, Joan being taken as the feminine of John ; and wherever the spelling of a Christian name differs from that in common use, it follows the original. Notes and explanations in the Warden Rolls are put between brackets ; and condensed passages are also bracketted. Elsewhere the entries are given fully. Quotation marks indicate either a verbatim citation or translation. The Deeds, except in quoted passages, are in abstract.

To render the Calendar more complete and useful as a local record, an Appendix is given, containing lists of the Abbots, Vicars, and Members of Parliament of Tavistock. The Rev. D. P. Alford, to whose interest these muniments owe their recovery and preservation, has kindly drawn up a list of the Register and other Books of the parish, and an account of the Church Plate.

The seals attached to the deeds are not, as a rule, so interesting as might have been anticipated ; but some of the earlier are re- produced by way of frontispiece. I. Virgin and Child, attached to a lease granted by Robert Isaac, warden of the Maudlin Hospital, 1542. II. Attached to a grant by William ffresshepond, 1464. III. Seal of Robert folka, 1330. IV. Rush ring seal, attached to grant by feoffees to William Cadelegh, 1460. V. Seal affixed by John Wale, chaplain, to grant to Thomas Mewy and Richard Melaton, 1389 (?). VI. Seal of Maudlin Hospital, attached to grant by Robert Isaac, warden, 1542. VII. Seal attached to lease from Luke Wyndsore to Roger Bykawylle, 1389.

The seal of the Abbey is given on the title-page.

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