Henry II. The next, in order of time, are the Plea Rolls and Pedes Finium, which begin in the reign of Richard I. When we reach the reigns of John and of Henry III., our materials become more abundant; we then have great resources in the Close and Patent Rolls, the Fine Rolls, the Memoranda Rolls, the Inquisitiones post Mortem, etc. etc.
   As to the earlier of these Records, the Pipe Rolls, it at first occurred to us that a series of them might be beneficially introduced into our "Archaeologia;" but the idea was soon abandoned, for, as these Rolls are in themselves long, and occur yearly in unbroken succession, they appear better suited for separate publication, than for periodical admission into our Journal. Certainly not more than one Roll could be given at any one time, and, as each Roll belongs to a single year, it is at once evident that the progress of publication would be too slow to be of any immediate value in elucidating County History: we shall better serve our purposes by furnishing a series of the "Pedes Finium" and "Inquisitiones post Mortem," which relate to this County, from their commencement, occasionally giving extracts from the Close, Patent, Memoranda, and other Rolls.
   To begin with the Pedes Finium. We cannot better introduce them than by an abstract from Cruise's history of their nature and origin:—
    " When property first became the subject of alienation, it was found necessary to adopt some authentic mode of transfer which might secure the possession, and evince the title of the purchaser.
   " By the ancient Common Law, a Charter of Feoffment was, in general, the only written instrument whereby lands were transferred or conveyed. But, although this assurance derived great authenticity from the number of witnesses by whom it was usually attested, and from the solemn and public manner in which livery of seisin