Page:The Saxon Cathedral at Canterbury and The Saxon Saints Buried Therein.djvu/14

PREFACE whether access to the ambulatory or passage leading to the crypt was by a north and south entrance from the transept, or by a west to east passage only in the centre of the steps leading up from the nave to the presbytery. I have followed Professor Willis, as a sure guide in most of his interpretations. He was the first archæologist to measure up and survey our cathedrals in a scientific manner; and he combined the study of ancient muniments with a vast historical knowledge, which enabled him to take first place within the ranks of his archæological brethren. Much, doubtless, has been learnt since Professor Willis's time, but his masterly treatise on Canterbury Cathedral remains the key to most of the problems which arise concerning it, and all later writers are indebted to his industry, and the methods he used to elucidate its results. I also desire here to offer my homage to the memory of the late Sir William St. John Hope, and at the same time to express my admiration of his genius. To his learning and accuracy, I, in common with many others, owe much. He was a kind and considerate friend, ever ready to bestow the benefit of his great knowledge upon those who sought it. To Lieut.-Col. S. H. Page, C.M.G., architect, of Ramsgate, I owe special thanks; he took upon himself the trouble of typing my MS., thereby making its revision an easy matter, and also very kindly turned my rough draughts of the plans into finished drawings; his intimate knowledge of the crypt of the Cathedral and its measurements will, I hope, be given to students ere long, and they will be surprised and interested at the result of his investigations.

Thanks also are due to the Council of the Kent Archæological Society for permission to reproduce the picture of Queen Ediva; to the British Archæological Association for a like permission with regard to the plan of Durovernum; to the Society of Antiquaries for permission to use the plan illustrating the early Christian Church at Silchester; and to the Committee of the Public Museum and Art Gallery of the Corporation of Reading for permission to use photos of the foundations of the same church; and lastly to the Dean and Chapter of Canterbury for permission to make use of the MSS. preserved in their Library.

Amongst the biographies of the Saxon Saints interred within the Cathedral, some new material with reference to their anniversaries will be found. No laudatory inscriptions mark their last resting-places— viii