ACCOUNT OF THE CLASSES IN MEDIEVAL 



HISTORY AT THE LONDON SCHOOL 



OF ECONOMICS. 



I. 



It would perhaps be generally admitted by com- 

 petent persons that down to a comparatively recent 

 date, the study of Palaeography in this country has 

 been, for the most part, casually and fitfully pursued 

 in the School of Self-Help which is characteristic of 

 our individualistic methods, if it is not to some 

 extent a national reproach. 



For the most part, also, the object of the students 

 has been to acquire the art of deciphering ancient 

 writings without any regard for the significance of 

 their comparative forms. 



Quite recently the importance of a scientific study 

 of the subject has been recognised in several British 

 Universities ; that is to say, instruction has been 

 given in the theory as well as in the practice of the 

 auxiliary studies. 



The earliest teaching of this kind was given at 

 Oxford, where the valuable results obtained by the 

 classes held by Mr. F. Madan and Dr. R. L. Poole 

 are well-known. Almost at the same time, the im- 

 portance of these studies, in connection with practical 

 research work in Early Economic History, was realised 

 by the authorities of the London School of Economics, 

 where Mr. Sidney Webb, the Chairman of the Governors, 

 was already engaged, in conjunction with Mrs. Webb, 

 upon the original investigations which have since 

 appeared in the volumes of the " History of English 

 Local Government and other works." Professor 

 W. A. S. Hewins, at that time the Director of the 



