Glanville impressed his contemporaries as a man strong both in body and in mind. A man of integrity and prudence, “most faithful in fortune or misfortune,” “Wise, grave and eloquent,” “The King’s eye;” “A name above every name, who spoke among the princes and was adored by the people.” He was a man wise, just and charitable, whose fellowship was sought and opinions valued by wits and by scholars. One scandal only attacked him. He is charged with falsely condemning to death for rape Sir Gilbert de Plumpton, in order that his widow might be married to Glanville’s friend and steward, Rainer; Sir Gilbert’s punishment was commuted by the King to imprisonment for life. The tale is quite inconsistent with all we know of Glanville’s character and with his position in the King’s affection, and may safely be disbelieved. His family shared in his success. No less than seven of his near relatives held high judicial position under Henry or his sons. Few other families have rendered greater service to England than that of Ranulph de Glanville, ambassador, administrator, general, judge and jurist. [Incidents of Glanville’s life and character are reported in all the chroniclers of the time. Especially valuable are the accounts in Hoveden, Benedictus Abbas, Giraldus Cambrensis, Newburgh, Richard of Devizes, and Diceto. The fullest modern sketch of his life is by Professor Maitland, in the Dictionary of National Biography. Other modern biographies are those of Foss (Judges of England, i, 376); Thomas Wright (Biographia Britannica, 275); Lord Campbell (Lives of the Chief Justices, i, 19); and Professor Gross (Sources and Literature of English History, 315). Many interesting documents bearing on Glanville’s genealogy and his property are printed in Glanville-Richards’ “Records of the Anglo-Norman House of Glanville.”] II. THE AUTHORSHIP OF THE TREATISE. The following “Treatise on the Laws and Customs of the Kingdom of England,” was published between 1187 and 1189; it mentions a fine made in the former year, and it is filled with references to Henry, as then King. It had a high contemporary reputation. Copies of the book were multiplied, and many manuscripts still exist. It forms part of several collections of laws made by contemporaries of Glanville himself. It was translated, or partly translated, into French immediately after Glanville’s death, and it was revised and an attempt made to bring it down to date two generations later. It was finally superseded by Bracton’s completer and more elaborate treatise.