To the Reader.
of those Lnads are instituted to many of the same Liberties and Franchises as were at first given with the said Lands to those Houses respectively, such Franchises being real and annext to the Estate. 4. All the Monasticon is a Transcript of antient Manuscripts copyed by that laborious Antiquary Mr. Roger Dodsworth, and that eminently learn'd Historian Sr. William Dugdale Knt. late Garter King of Armes, out of the very Original Grants, or Leiger Books, or Publick Records, or other Muniments formerly kept by the respective Monasteries, and (when they perused them) thoicely preserved either in some of our most famous Libraries, or in the Possession of those Gentlemen and Persons of honour, who since the Supression enjoy the Lands to which those Deeds relate, or some part of them; whose names are cited in the Margin of the said Book. And such credit hath it received form the integrity of the Authors or Collectors thereof, that (as I am credibly inform'd) it hath been admitted as a good Circumstantial Evidence in the Courts of Westminster when the Records therein transcribed could not upon diligent Search be otherwise recovered. Further, this Book is of use to enlighten and assist the young Student of our Common Laws, it skewing in divers parts of it, the Commencements of Tenures, the Nature and manner of Corrodies, Appropriations, Endowment of Vicarages, Reservation of Services upon Grants in Frankalmoine, or upon Tenures by Divine Service, the old Ways of tithing, Conveyancing and something of Pleading. It is also useful in History, giving us a lively Idea of the manner of our Forefathers way of Living, their Zeal of Gods Publick Worship, as then profest, and the Simplicity of their Devotions; and of the great Charity to the Poor, and Hospitality and Beneficence to all Comers, maintain'd and exercised in the Monasteries. But these things have been thought faults, and therefore I will mention no more of that; but observe in the last place, that this Book is of great use in matters of Heraldry and Genealogies; there being few or none among the Great Families, and old Nobility, of England, who have not been Founders or Principal Benefactors to some Monastery or Religious House, and the Monks and Canons have for the most part take special Care to record in the Leiger Book of the respective Houses
the
