INTRODUCTION TO VOLUME I.
In the preparation of the civil and military history of the Navy, prior to 1422, Nicolas, as was inevitable, has been generally followed, although important additions to, and some corrections of, his work have been deemed necessary. His references have also been verified wherever possible.
After the major part of this volume had been put in type, the appearance of Mr. M. Oppenheim's invaluable 'History of the Administration of the Royal Navy, 1509-1660' (John Lane), and of the same learned author's, 'Naval Accounts and Inventories of the Reign of Henry VII.' (Navy Records Society), called attention to several neglected sources of information. These have been utilised, and Mr. Oppenheim's two volumes have, besides, been largely quoted from. To another publication of the Navy Records Society, Professor Laughton's, 'State Papers Relating to the Spanish Armada,' a great debt is due. Both it, and Captain Duro's works dealing with affairs of the same eventful time, have, as will be seen, been freely drawn upon. To Mr. Oppenheim personally, I owe several useful suggestions. It is a matter of great regret to me that both Professor Laughton and Mr. Oppenheim were obliged to decline invitations to contribute some chapters to this volume, and that one of the grounds of the latter's refusal was the uncertainty of his health.
To Dr. W. F. Tilton, of Newport, Rhode Island, who has made a special study of the Armada period, I am particularly obliged. He has generously placed some of his very careful work at my disposal, and I have been glad to take full advantage of his kindness. My thanks are due as well to Colonel John Scott, C.B., for most interesting biographical information concerning early books on shipping and navigation. Similar acknowledgments are owing to
