This book is an enquiry into the early history of the teaching of English, to English speakers, in Britain, with some reference to America. Its intention and limitations are stated in the first chapter.

It is a pleasure to express particular gratitude to the trustees of the Leverhulme Foundation for their assistance through the award of an Emeritus Fellowship.

Anyone whose work touches on the history of the English language owes a debt to Dr R.C. Alston. It is not too much to say that his industry and persistence in producing A Bibliography of the English language and the facsimile editions of early texts over the imprint of the Scolar Press have opened up important areas of study, the very possibility of which had scarcely been glimpsed before.

I am much indebted also to the staff of many public and university libraries for their tolerance in responding to enquiries of unavoidable but timetaking vagueness, and to many antiquarian booksellers, from whose catalogues I have acquired more information than they have received orders from me.

I am especially grateful to Professor L.C. Knights and to Mrs Knights for their constant support and to Dr A.K. Pugh and to Dr. Edwina Burness, who also have read part of the book in draft. I have received valuable help and advice from Vivian Salmon, Joyce Broomhall, Dr E. Jennifer Monaghan, Dr T. O'Raifearteagh, John P. Marmion and Kenneth Coram.