72 PAPERS, ETC. 
thus reduced to language intelligible to all. Ideeply regret 
that the limited space at my command has necessitated the 
absence of such a commentary, as that whose presence is 
so greatly to be desired. Much indeed might be said in 
elueidation of many of the documents. The lands which 
they convey, the terms with which they abound, the various 
rights, exemptions, and customs which they particularize, 
the prineipals who gave and received them, and the wit- 
nesses by whom they were attested, suggest matter to 
which a score of volumes would fail to do justice. Still, 
in spite of all, we have had a glimpse of ages second 
to none in our national history for interest and importance, 
We have seen with our mind’s eye the kingly, vene- 
rable, and saintly forms whose names have been brought 
before us in connexion with these curious records of the 
past, these interesting memorials of a state of society of 
which modern England has no example, and but a meagre 
and for the most part a very inaccurate knowledge. The 
“Dominus Rex,” the pious William de Romara, the 
princely Hubert de Burgh, “our venerable Father R. 
Bishop of Chichester, our Chancellor,” “Lord E. Abbot 
of Rivaux,” “ Jocelyn prior of Spauding,” “Reginald de 
Mohun, and Avis my wife,” Ralph de Wydecume, “the 
Abbotes of Stratford, Founteyns, Woborn, & of Clyff,” 
and William Marshall, E. of Pembroke, the benefactor of 
Tynterne, have been all but visible, together with the 
Nicholases, the Hughs, the Gilberts, the Ralphs, the Wal- 
ters, and the Rogers, who have here been figuring before 
us. But now, however unwillingly, we must leave them, 
and allow them to retire once more into the gloom. 
I trust it will not be necessary for me to defend myself 
sgainst blame for too great a scrupulosity in presenting, as 
nearly as possible in their actual form, the documents now 
Ba DIE EBEN 
