PREFACE 



seemed to be a reason why county records should be more freely em- 

 ployed in illustrating certain phases of history, to throw light not only 

 on the administration of Surrey, but on that of any county under the 

 Tudors. The history of Surrey undoubtedly contributes here to the 

 understanding of ' the larger History of the Empire.' 



The continuity of the Political History appears to be impaired by 

 the necessary postponement of the section on Roman Surrey. The 

 section will appear later ; but the break is more apparent than real. 

 The Roman remains are not very extensive, and it is impossible to piece 

 together with absolute certainty any continuous story from British tribes 

 through Roman occupation to West Saxon and Mercian conquest. 

 The Saxon remains are fragmentary, but their story has been given as 

 fully as is compatible with certainty. Some further inferences are 

 possible, but a few positive and negative facts stand out clearly. Among 

 the latter is that Surrey was not South Saxon. The countries north and 

 south respectively of a great forest were not inhabited by the same 

 people, nor ruled by the same kings in primitive ages. This is among 

 the fictions of the earlier histories of Surrey. 



The Ecclesiastical History of Surrey will follow in the next volume. 

 The Topographical and Manorial History will occupy the greater part 

 of the second, third and fourth volumes, taken together. Other matters, 

 commercial, industrial and social, will be included. Under the last head 

 Surrey may perhaps again illustrate general history. Epsom is one 

 of the earliest considerable English watering places, and has other 

 associations. The early history of cricket has much to do with Surrey. 

 Wimbledon and Bisley are in Surrey. Putney and Mortlake are in 

 Surrey. The first London railway terminus was in Surrey. London 

 has annexed parts of Surrey, and has made it certain that there can be 

 no cities in Surrey except parts of itself ; but the reader to the end of 

 a story of this county is like the traveller 



Qui mores hominum multorum vidit, 



For some of the illustrations in this volume the Editor is indebted 

 to the courtesy of Sir John Evans, Mr. More Molyneux, the Mayor 

 of Guildford, the Society of Antiquaries, the British Archaeological 

 Association, and the Surrey Archaeological Society. 



