OUTHWARK and its Story" owes its existence to a chance view of some old books on Southwark, in the Guildhall Library. On making acquaintance with them, it struck me that what was so new and interesting to myself, might be equally so to others in our Borough, especially to those who might not have time or courage to face more solid reading on the subject. In consequence, a series of articles appeared in one of the local papers; they excited some interest, and after excisions, additions, alterations, and I trust emendations, have taken their present shape. I have called my book a story instead of using the more ambitious title of history, as I have only aimed at reproducing the more picturesque incidents in the life of our Borough, avoiding statistics of its industries, and omitting much of interest with regard to its Inns and Prisons, etc., which would have unduly enlarged its size. Should I be accused of having made unlimited use of scissors and paste, I freely avow that I have always preferred to let the old Chroniclers speak for themselves vi. when possible. They are the "own correspondents" of the ages gone by, and their quaint stiff language seems better to suit the battles and the pageants they describe, than any modern adaptation of it. In matters of controversy, such as the original nature of the so called Lady Chapel, in St. Saviour's Church, I have followed the popular view, and retained the familiar name. Some errors will doubtless be detected among such a number of facts. I can only plead that no care has been spared to avoid them. I have to thank many friends for kind advice and encouragement, particularly the REV. W. THOMPSON, Curate of St. Saviour's; E. WALFORD, ESQ.; F. SCRIVEN, Esq., for setting me right as to the site of Mr. Thrale's House; DR. FREEMAN, for a most courteous letter which directed me to information with regard to William of Normandy's passage through Southwark; and last, but not least, one, who by his careful revision, has relieved me of half my fears in facing the public, by being himself "the severest of critics." ST. SAVIOUR'S GRAMMAR SCHOOL, June, 1881. Chapter. I. My Subject Proposed.-The Romans in Southwark .. IV.--Southwark in the Middle Ages, continued.—The last days of Edward III. and Richard II.'s reign V.-Southwark as connected with Literature.-Gower and VII.-Bermondsey Abbey and Katherine of France, Henry Page. I XV.—The Acquittal of the Seven Bishops.—Queen Ann's XVI.-Barclay and Perkins's Brewery.-The Thrales and |