It may at least be possible that Economic History may sometimes find secure stepping stones over what may be impassable gulfs in constitutional history; and it obviously does not follow that a continuity lost, perhaps, to the one may not have been preserved by the other. The result of a strictly economic inquiry may, as already suggested, prove that more things went to the 'making of England' than were imported in the keels of the English invaders of Britain. But whatever the result--whatever modifications of former theories the facts here brought into view, after full consideration by others, may suggest--I trust that this Essay will not be regarded as controversial in its aim or its spirit. I had rather that it were accepted simply as fellow-work, as a stone added at the eleventh hour to a structure in the building of which others, some of whose names I have mentioned, have laboured during the length and heat of the day. * * * * * In conclusion, I have to tender my best thanks to Sir Henry S. Maine for the kind interest he has taken, and the sound advice he has given, during the preparation of this Essay for the press; also to Mr. Elton, for similar unsolicited help generously given. To my friend George von Bunsen, and to Professor Meitzen, of Berlin, I am deeply indebted as regards the German branches of my subject, and to Mr. T. Hodgkin and Mr. H. Pelham as regards the Roman side of it. For the ever ready assistance of my friend Mr. H. Bradshaw, of Cambridge, Mr. Selby, of the Record Office, and Mr. Thompson, of the British Museum, in reference to the manuscripts under their charge, I cannot be too grateful. Nor must I omit to acknowledge the care with which Messrs. Stuart Moore and Kirk have undertaken for me the task of revising the text and translations of the many extracts from mediæval documents contained in this volume. F. SEEBOHM. THE HERMITAGE, HITCHIN: _May_, 1883 CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. THE ENGLISH OPEN-FIELD SYSTEM EXAMINED IN ITS MODERN REMAINS. PAGE 1. The distinctive marks of the open-field system 1 2. Scattered and intermixed ownership in the open fields 7 3. The open fields were the common fields of a village community or township under a manor 8 4. The wide prevalence of the system through Great Britain 13 CHAPTER II. THE ENGLISH OPEN-FIELD SYSTEM TRACED BACK TO THE DOMESDAY SURVEY--IT IS THE SHELL OF SERFDOM--THE MANOR WITH A VILLAGE COMMUNITY IN VILLENAGE UPON IT. 1. The identity of the system with that of the Middle Ages 17 2. The Winslow Manor Rolls of the reign of Edward III.--example of a virgate or yard-land 22 3. The Hundred Rolls of Edward I. embracing five Midland Counties 32