PREFACE 
HE present work is the first attempt to compile a history of the 
| county of Bedford from original sources. Although Bedfordshire, 
like most English counties, possesses a wealth of materials for 
local history, no systematic collection and arrangement of these materials 
has been undertaken hitherto. The work of some of the contributors 
has consequently been done under great difficulties. 
The editors regret that it has been impossible to follow a strict 
chronological sequence in the present volume. The chapter on the 
Romano-British period will appear in a later volume. 
It may be desirable to point out that in the chapter on the religious 
houses, descriptions and illustrations of the buildings have been purposely 
omitted. They more properly belong to the parish in which the houses 
were situate and will be dealt with there under the section on Topo- 
graphy. 
For the use of some of the illustrations in this volume the editors 
have to thank Mr. Worthington G. Smith and the Council of the Society 
of Antiquaries. 
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