The spirit of english history [antikvár]

PREFACE In writing this book I have had two aims mainly in mind. First, to make the story of our people intelligible. That is, to make clear the circumstances of environment and stock, the factors and forces which have made our history what it is. Secondly, I have tried as far as possible within the very restricted confmes at my disposal to include everything that is really essential to the imder-standing of that story. I should hke here to acknowledge my great indebtedness to that masterpiece of historical writing, G. M. Trevelyan's History of England ; all the more so because my own approach is somewhat different, and on various questions I have taken another line. I am indebted to Mr. K. B. McFarlane, Vice-President of Magdalen College, Oxford, for reading my medieval chapters for me ; to Dr. Charles Singer for kindly helping me with the sections on British scientists. My chief obligation is to Mr. Jack Simmons of Christ Church, who has gone through the whole book with me, and whose judgment and historical knowledge have saved me from many errors. A. L. ROWSE All Souls College, Oxford