Since work for this volume began in 2014 a number of friends and colleagues have helped bring it to fruition. The state of some manuscripts, along with poor writing, has offered occasional challenges and I would like thank Elly Babbedge, Tony Gale, Dr Joanna Mattingly, Dr Oliver Padel and Jan Wood for their advice with niggles. Other forms of help have come from Dr Clive Burgess, Professor Tom Cain, Professor Sandra Cavallo, Sarah Charman, John Draisey, Gary Knaggs, Professor Maryanne Kowaleski, Elizabeth Lomas, Charlie Pritchard-Williams, Keith Stevens, Dr Jonathan Vage and Professor Jane Whittle. Tony Gale enthusiastically produced his text on Crediton and Professor Catherine Rider has, at every point, been a cheerful and supportive editor and who has, along with Dr Stephen Roberts, made many useful comments on the text. All remaining errors are, of course, my own. Each map was drawn by Tony Gale. The rates have been edited with the kind permission of the Colyton Chamber of Feoffees, Dartmouth Town Council, the Exeter Diocesan Secretary, Governors of Crediton Church and Plymouth Archive. All photographs have been taken by the editor. The cover illustration and Plate 2 (DHC, R9/1/Z/33) appears courtesy of Dartmouth Town Council and Plate 9 (DHC, 1660A/Add4/E1) courtesy of Credition Church Governors. Finally, a generous gift by Richard Moyse has helped the society fund publication.