Page:History of Norfolk 1.djvu/19



The Introduction to the First Edition
As this work appears in publick, contrary to common practice, without either Preface or Dedication prefixed, I looked upon myself necessarily obliged to say something by way of Introduction, both to inform my readers the reason of it, as well as the design of the following Essay.

It is well known (and it would be the greatest ingratitude in me, to forbear acknowledging it) how much I have been assisted in this work, by that Right Reverend Prelate, the late Bishop of St. Asaph, whose kindness was so great, as not only to help me to the sight of vast numbers of records and manuscripts concerning this county, but also to fix my method, and revise my collections when put together, town by town, as I compiled them. To this worthy Prelate (by his own knowledge and approbation) was this Work dedicated; but alas! to my particular great loss, as well as to the world in general, he is no more: gratitude therefore obliged me to dedicate it to his memory, not doubting but that will ever be valued by all the learned; and as a Dedication to any other Patron could have been no real compliment, I am sure it would have been far from shewing a grateful respect to my deceased benefactor.

And now as to the design in general, which I do not pretend to call a History of Norfolk, but an Essay only towards it, being very sensible that there may be several things of moment, in almost every parish, that may be impossible for me to know, or come at; but thus far I may venture to say, that the successions of the lords of the manors; the patrons and incumbents of the churches; the series of the religious; the ancient and present valuations of each parish, are as perfect as my own collections, the original manuscripts and records that I have met with, and the collections of my friends, could possibly make them: whatever pedigrees or evidences,