When Keystone Historic Buildings Consultants of Exeter surveyed the sixteenth century farmhouse Broomham, in Kings Nympton, in 1995, and I assisted with documentary research, we became aware of the remarkable description of it by Robert Furse (c.1530-1593), in the book of information he compiled for his fledgling son, when he himself knew he had not long to live. In particular we thought the information about buildings notable, and that it was well worth transcription, and that the Devon Buildings Group might be interested in publishing it in some form. When the Devon and Cornwall Record Society expressed an interest, we were pleased at the prospect of wider distribution. This is not merely a Devon text; it has a wider interest for historians of Tudor England.

Dr Jo Cox and John Thorp of Keystone have been unfailingly helpful and supportive of the project with travel, photographs and advice, and I am deeply grateful to Sandi Ellison for assistance with typing, formatting and general technology beyond my capacity. I have had help thoughout from the staff of the Devon Record Office, the Westcountry Studies Library and the Devon and Exeter Institution. Bevan Ashford, solicitors, Tiverton, successors to Penny and Harward who deposited the document in Devon Record Office in 1975 (D2507), confirm they have no record of ownership of the document.

Thanks are due to Mr and Mrs David Smith, the current owners of Moorshead, for making both the ruins of Furse's house, and their collection of historic material, available to us. Mrs Phoebe Woollcombe kindly allowed us to photograph the watercolour of Furse's house, Moorshead, in her family possession, and the Western Morning News agreed that we might use the drawing which appeared in the newspaper in 1937. The Revd D. J. Rowland, whose ministry includes Dean Prior, gave permission for the photograph of Furse's tombstone. The map of Devon showing the whereabouts of Robert Furse's properties has been prepared by Brett Humphries.

Finally, I would like to thank Dr Oliver Padel for his patient help and guidance in steering me through the final stages of preparing this volume for publication.