I am grateful for assistance and advice from the following people while I was carrying out research into this book. Professor Chris Brooks, Durham University; Professor Eamon Duffy, Cambridge University; Professor Chris Dyer, Leicester University; Professor Mark Jackson, Exeter University; Dr Leonard Schwarz and Dr Chris Callow, Birmingham University; Marika Sherwood, Institute of Commonwealth Studies; Dr Brendan Smith, Bristol University; Professor Thorlac Turville-Petre, Nottingham University; Professor Chris Wickham, Oxford University; Professor Barbara Yorke, Winchester University; Wiltshire County Library Service and my friends at Bradford on Avon library. It goes without saying that all errors are my own.
As always my wife, Christine, and our daughters, Hannah and Esther, supported me with their love, advice and encouragement. They know how precious they are to me. In particular I am grateful to Christine and Hannah for reading and commenting on a number of chapters. My good friend John Worth also provided valuable advice and comments.
Martyn Whittock
St Simeon’s Day, 2008