PREFACE 



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SO much of the County of Nottingham was covered on its north 

 and east sides by the Forest of Sherwood that the early history 

 of this district is comparatively slight. Nottinghamshire can, 

 however, claim to possess one of the oldest county histories in 

 Dr. Robert Thoroton's Antiquities of Nottinghamshire, published in 1677. 

 Though not perhaps equal to its contemporary the History of Warwick- 

 shire, by Dugdale, it is a work of considerable research, and has remained 

 till now the only history of the county, for John Throsby's History of 

 Nottinghamshire published in 1 797 is practically a reprint of Thoroton's 

 work, with a few additions to the text and illustrations. 



The Editor wishes to express his thanks to Mr. J. Horace Round, 

 M.A., LL.D., for his help and suggestions regarding the articles on the 

 Domesday Book and Political History ; to Mr. G. H. Wallis, F.S.A., 

 director of the Art Museum, Nottingham Castle, for assistance in many 

 ways ; to Mr. I. Chalkley Gould, F.S.A., for notes relating to the earth- 

 works of the county ; and to the Society of Antiquaries, the British 

 Archaeological Society, and Sir John Evans, K.C.B., for the use of blocks. 



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