The first edition of this book was published in 1972, and rather rapidly went out of print. The publication of David Smith and Vera London's companion volume II, 1216–1377, makes this an ideal time to bring it back into the light, and I am exceedingly grateful to William Davies and his colleagues in the Cambridge University Press for arranging a reprint. This also provides the opportunity to note the changes and improvements of the past quarter of a century; and I have explained on p. 239 the lay–out and rationale of the Corrigenda and Addenda. Above all, I have listed the many kind friends and colleagues who have helped me. Two names must be repeated here: Vera London, whose work and friendship links the two volumes; and David Smith, who has not only given generous guidance as I contemplated what lay in and beyond 1216 – but helped in many difficulties throughout. To them and to all my helpers I offer my warmest thanks.

Pp. 1–238 are an exact reprint of the edition of 1972, with only some very minor corrections except that the asterisks refer to the Corrigenda, where page numbers to the original text are given before each entry. The reader is warned that minor changes have occurred at page ends in the process of reprinting, in a few cases affecting references in the recent literature.

For all that relates to pre-Conquest nuns and abbesses, see now Sarah Foot, Veiled Women, 2 vols. (Basingstoke, 2000).