THE design of the following Introduction is to shew the connexion of the tracts in this volume; and to bring together from various sources such facts and illustrations as may blend them into a regular series, and render them more intelligible. Many chasms are filled up; and an outline is offered of some of the principal transactions appertaining to the county of Gloucester during the civil troubles and usurpation. The design, therefore, is local. But in entering upon a subject of this nature, it is impossible not to widen the range, when we discover how much so active a part of England was affected and influenced by the occurrences of the kingdom at large. This may have brought in what may sometimes appear foreign to the matter under discussion. The insertion, however, of any thing which is not immediately or indirectly referable to the point, has usually been avoided; though frequent detached notices may be found relating to the leading circumstances, characters, and peculiar feelings of the times. These are chiefly given in the form of annotation. The Appendix consists, for the most part, of original and inedited pa pers. In this limited and imperfect sketch little more is attempted than an arrangement of the materials of history. The principles and origin of the war, and the merits or failings of the contending parties having been sufficiently enlarged upon by others; our purpose is to shew rather the effects of these remoter causes which belong to an earlier period; and to treat less of the controversy of opinion than the debate of the sword. In such a view of the question, something like impartiality is, perhaps, attainable, but on this head the reader must determine whether the compiler has accomplished that in which many with the best intentions have failed. He may be permitted to say that he has endeavoured to be moderate and just. J. W. Gloucester, January 1, 1825. |