The Dugdale Society celebrated its centenary in 2020, or rather in 2021, as the COVID lockdown prevented the centenary conference from taking place. We waited until 2021 and decided to have the papers presented by Zoom. Although people were prevented from gathering in celebration, perhaps a little to our surprise the two-day conference on Zoom was a great success. This was thanks to the organisational prowess of Christopher Dyer and the patience of our speakers, who stuck with the delays in the programme and coped with whatever damage it may have done to their diaries. It was also due to the large numbers of people who joined the event, most of them for the whole two days. I had the honour of closing the conference and I am especially proud of being asked to write the Foreword of this book. I would also add that it would not have been possible without the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, who hosted the Conference online and who do so much to support the activity of the Society. Particular thanks are due to Tim Cooke, Paul Taylor and Elinor Cole. The conference programme was decided by a small group from the council of the Society, Nat Alcock, Bob Bearman, Chris Dyer, Cathy Millwood and Christine Woodland. Cathy Millwood with her usual skill arranged the publicity and registered those taking part. If a conventional conference had been held, she would have managed the event with her usual efficiency.

Since the virtual event the book of the conference has been assembled and now can be presented in this handsome volume. It is a tribute to the enthusiasm and efficiency of all involved that it can be published after a relatively short interval. We owe special thanks to Boydell & Brewer, and especially Peter Sowden, who have produced a book of such quality and without delays.

The Dugdale Society was named after my ancestor, as his Antiquities of Warwickshire showed how local history could be compiled and presented. The Society’s aim over the last hundred years has been to publish edited transcriptions of Warwickshire’s records, making them accessible to as many as possible.