2 



The Nomina Villarum for Wiltshire. 



returns were drawn up from the materials which they had obtained. 

 Being of considerable length they assumed the shape of rolls, and 

 the originals, still extant, are in this form, — they consist of the 

 returns for the counties of Devon, Middlesex, Shropshire, Stafford, 

 and Hants, and are preserved among the records usually designated 

 as on " the side of the Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer." 



In the first year of the reign of Henry VII., the original returns 

 having become so frayed and illegible, in consequence of the fre- 

 quent searches made upon them, that they could scarcely be 

 accurately interpreted, by which it was apprehended that detriment 

 might ensue to the Crown, it was ordered by the Barons, a^ter 

 due inspection, that the same should be transcribed in quires and 

 made up and engrossed in a book, to remain for ever in the Ex- 

 chequer. For this purpose a writer, by name John Snede, was 

 appointed, and admitted by the Barons of the Exchequer. 1 The 

 work was duly completed, and the volume deposited with the Lord 

 Treasurer's Remembrancer. Long since, however, the book dis- 

 appeared, and at the present time no trace of it can be found. 2 



The loss is in a slight measure supplied by copies existing in differ- 

 ent repositories from which the quotations of the Nomina Villarum 

 by topographical writers have been extracted. As regards Wilts 

 there are no originals known to be in existence. The materials I 



* \ 5 



1 All the documents relating to this proceeding, are printed in Parliamentary j 

 "Writs ii., part 3, p. 5. John Snede was to receive three shillings and fourpence 

 per quire for his labour. When completed the book contained twenty quires 

 and an half, for which he was paid at the before mentioned rate. The binding, 

 covering, and other matters needed for completing the volume, cost eighi ^ 

 shillings and ten pence, which sum was paid to one John Burell, the stationer, 

 all which particulars appear from the discharge of the Remembrancer, enrolled ' ri 

 Hilary Term, 1 Hen. VII., printed as above by Sir F, Palgrave. ft 



2 Cooper, in the Public Records (ii., 432), says: — " At the time when Powell k 

 published a work under the title of ' Directions for search of Records' (1631), ^ 

 this Record was in existence, as we find there mention made of ' The Bookc ., 

 which is commonly called Nomina Villarum, made about the ninth of Edward 11 

 II., &c.' Moreover in June, 1800, this Book was still supposed to be kept in k 

 the Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer's office in the Exchequer, although there I 

 was some reason to apprehend that it might have been destroyed by fire. Bui ^ 

 the confusion of the Records in the office rendered it impossible to ascertain ' ! 

 the fact." Reports from select Committee on Public Records, p. 505. I % 



