Acknowledgments

This volume is dedicated to the memory of Dr Kathleen Edwards, the historian of the English secular cathedrals and above all the historian of Salisbury cathedral. In a number of important articles, but especially in her great work The English Secular Cathedrals in the Middle Ages (second edition 1967) and in her masterly piece on the cathedral of Salisbury in the Victoria History of the County of Wiltshire III (1956), Dr Edwards described and illuminated the history of Salisbury with dazzling clarity. Her particular interest and emphasis was in the fourteenth century, and it is scarcely surprising that the few small revisions now necessary to her work should belong to the period of the late eleventh and twelfth centuries. Dr Edwards was a familiar figure in the Institute of Historical Research, gallantly pursuing her researches despite physical handicaps and infirmity, and warmly encouraging the researches of students, readers and staff. On her last visit to London before her death, we discussed the Institutio of St Osmund, and she helped me to see how useful a critical study might prove. Kathleen Edwards died on 25 July 1976, greatly mourned by her many friends. We all remember her with affection.

In the course of preparing this volume for publication, I have been fortunate to have had kind friends who have given me invaluable assistance and advice. I offer my thanks to Miss Pamela Stewart, who was archivist at the Wren Hall, Salisbury, when I began work on this volume, and who went out of her way to make my visits both productive and pleasurable. I owe a profound debt of gratitude to Professor Christopher Brooke, one of the 'early Fathers' of the project, who has never failed to lend encouragement and help whenever I have turned to him for guidance. Among other friends who have generously allowed me to use material from their own researches, I am particularly grateful to Professor Brian Kemp, Dr Jane Sayers, Dr David Spear, Mr T. C. B. Timmins, Mr Nicholas Vincent and Dr Tessa Webber. Finally, I record my thanks to my colleagues at the Institute of Historical Research for their many kindnesses, and in particular to Dr Glynis Younan, who gave calming advice and practical help at the type-setting stage.