The entries under this head, after the first two, relate to premises The folios before 13 were either originally left blank or were subsequently added on a rebinding of the book. They contain a less formal collection of entries, notes, and pedigrees made during the first half of the fifteenth century, with a few slight additions later. The principal section of this part is from folio 5 to 9. It is written in a good set hand, better formed and more regular than any other in the book. This section includes the group of interesting articles relating to the Liberty of Meath beginning at the foot of p. 5 of the Calendar, and ending at the top of p. 14. Here there is a marked break in the Register, almost all the face of the folio being left blank. 188-212 d 141-165 213 d-220 f 165-171 171-174 The remaining entries in this first part of the Register are written by several hands in poor and irregular Court hand, with the exception of the Memorandum as to the ownership of the Bog of Balmartene (p. 5), which is in a coarse current hand. The entries appearing at the top of page 2 of the Calendar are of special interest from the fact that they were most probably made by Sir Christopher himself, or at least at his dictation. The hand is a Court hand which we would not expect to find used by a private gentleman. Yet, as he seems to have acted for a time as deputy to his father when Keeper of the Great Seal, it is possible that he may have learned a hand which is not unlike that used on the Patent Rolls of the period. These entries relate to the value of the property at this time and the nature of the charges upon it. Sir Christopher's stepmother is mentioned as the lady Johanna, and her son as "brother Robert," a form which could only be used by Sir Christopher. Of "Sister Ka," who appears to have had a charge of £10, we have no other tidings. Thomas Preston and Thomas Bakon also appear from other entries to have been cousins. The notes on the lower part of p. 2, relative to the precedence of Sir Christopher and his ancestors over the Flemings, barons of Slane, are remarkable. The dispute became acute half a century later, and was decided in Parliament in favour of the Prestons from their tenure of the barony of Kells in Ossory. The notes given here give no support to this theory, for they begin with sittings by Sir William de Bermyngham, who never held the manor. Sir Robert Preston's sittings, too, would appear to have been as a privy councillor, not as a baron. The clerks who transcribed the principal section of the Register, folios 13-187, were very indifferent Latin scholars, and their work is full of errors. These are so numerous that the production of a complete text would have proved a very unsatisfactory work. They were wholly unskilled in the reading of the handwriting of the older charters, the capital letters especially proving hopeless stumbling-blocks. As a result many of the less familiar names, such as those of the witnesses, are so misrepresented as to be often wholly unrecognizable in the forms in which scribes of the Register have preserved them. The several sections of the principal portion of the book (folios 13187) are introduced by ornamental capitals, decorated with flourishes which sometimes take the forms of grotesque faces or heads. At the top of folio 11 is written "Jhus"; and at the top of folio 183 "Ihs mercy". At the foot of folio 68 the scribe has made a note of the words for the principal points of the compass: "Est vest occidentem suth austrum north' aquilonem." From folio 188 to 219 the Register has been used for entering, in the same hand, various muniments belonging to the families with which the Prestons formed alliances, though in most cases the property did not descend to them. From folio 220 to the end of the book these are continued in a different and probably somewhat later hand. The Society has to acknowledge the goodness of the late Right Honourable Jenico, 14th Viscount of Gormanston, in giving permission to publish this volume, and for generously defraying the expense of making the transcription from which the Calendar was formed. The interest taken in the work by Georgina, Viscountess of Gormanston, and Jenico, 15th Viscount, has been very helpful. The editors are greatly indebted to Mr. Thomas J. Morrissey, LL.B., for his kindness in preparing the exhaustive index to this volume. JAMES MILLS, MICHAEL J. M'ENERY. PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, FOUR COURTS, DUBLIN. GORMANSTON REGISTER. W CALENDAR. FREE TENANTS, BY ROYAL SERVICE IN THE COUNTY KILDARE, OF WILLIAM LOWNDRYS. ILLIAM BRAYNOKE holds at Braynokyston 5 carucates of land; and does suit thereout, and 208. royal service when it arises; and the marriage is worth 407. of silver. Maurice son of Richard holds at Ballycotellan 5 carucates of land and does suit of court, and 208. royal service. Marriage worth 80 marks. Matthew Flemynge holds at Flemyngestowne 4 carucates of land; and does suit of court, and 20s. royal service. Marriage worth 407. William Kerdyn holds at Fenoniston 4 carucates of land; and does suit of court, and 208. royal service. Marriage worth 407. Philip Kerdyfe holds at Rahoskyr 8 carucates of land; and does suit of court, and 208. royal service. Marriage worth 407. Henry Harole holds Sigineston, near the Nace, 3 carucates of land; and does suit of court, and 208. royal service. Marriage worth 80 marks. All these tenants hold severally of sir William de London. Maur. son of Maurice holds Ramore and Maynothe by the service of 3 knights and a half, viz. 77. Nich. Barbedor, in same barony, 10 carucates in Yagoyston by the water; and does suit of court, and 208. royal service. Marriage worth 40%. when it happens. John Flemyng holds there in Molacar 4 carucates of land; and does suit of court, and 208. royal service. Marriage worth 207. Simon Flatisbery holds at Joneston 5 carucates of land; and does suit of court, and 208. royal service. Marriage worth 100 marks. Same Simon holds at the town of Yagoyston, by the Nace, 6 carucates All these hold in parcenary of the three parceners, viz.: of sir B f. 1. |