Though the Translator had not the good fortune to meet with Mr. Davidson’s Pamphlet, he was more successful in discovering Skene’s translation of the Regiam Majestatem, deposited in Lincoln’s Inn Library. The Translator intended to have noticed such parts of the Regiam Majestatem, as coincided with Glanville. But, after having, with some attention, perused the former Book, he found the similarity between the two works so very general, and the correspondence so exact, that the Regiam Majestatem might frequently be taken verbal Translation of Glanville, or, at least, as another Edition of the same Treatise, in which the writer had made some slight additions and alterations, and had capriciously amused himself in contriving an arrangement totally different, though far less happy and systematical. The Translator has, therefore, generally contented himself with noticing those deviations between the two works, which were more immediately relevant to his subjects. Nor has he always stopped here, but has availed himself of the Regiam Majestatem, whenever it was less ambiguous, or more decided than Glanville, which from the very circumstance of its being a _posterior_ publication, it sometimes naturally will happen to be. In addition to the Regiam Majestatem, reference has been occasionally made to the Grand Custumary of Normandy, Bracton, Fleta, Britton, Coke, Hale, &c. &c. Some of these references serve to corroborate—some to illustrate the Text: some tend to shew that a Law was not peculiar to this Country, and some that a similar Rule has been adopted even in Modern Times by a neighboring State. In consulting the Laws of that state, and noticing those instances of strong or faint resemblance between them and the Code of Henry the Second, the Translator acted in deference to the suggestions of a Gentleman, who, though possessed of the most profound legal knowledge, is yet more entitled to our admiration for his singular liberality of sentiment, and urbanity of manners. If the more enlightened mind derive no benefit from the plan which has been adopted in the notes, and anticipate the Result; yet, it is hoped, the Student may receive some advantage from it. But, if the Translator has been too diffuse in some instances, he has, on other occasions, contented himself with a bare reference. He has been averse to swell the Notes, where a bare citation would serve to direct the Student, if disposed to extend his inquiries. In addition to the Translator’s own Notes, the Reader is furnished with a few annotations extracted from a copy of Glanville, formerly belonging to Mr. Justice Aland, and now deposited in the collection of the Royal Institution. Yet, should it be observed, it is not perfectly clear whether these annotations were made by that learned Judge, or by the Reverend Mr. Elstob, a gentleman deeply versed in Anglo-Saxon Literature. By way of distinction, these Annotations are particularised by (Al. MS.)