In the course of preparing this book the editors have incurred numerous debts of gratitude. I would like to thank the Arts and Humanities Research Board who made it possible for me to enjoy a sabbatical year during which I completed chapter 6. I would also like to thank Beatriz Anson, Xavier Díez, Andrew Dowling, Sharif Gemie, Helen Graham and Mike Richards for reading and commenting on earlier drafts of this chapter. I am also grateful to Manel Aisa for facilitating valuable information on revolutionary Barcelona. Josep Lluís Martín Ramos assisted with copyright matters, while Mark Barrett helped prepare images for publication.

The British Academy and the Arts and Humanities Research Board generously granted financial support during the period in which this book has emerged. I have also benefited from many discussions with colleagues in the School of History at the University of the West of England during the gestation of the volume. The readiness of Trevor Johnson to share ideas about religion and rituals has been especially valuable and stimulating. The encouragement of Phil Ollerenshaw, as Head of School during the final stages, eased the process considerably. My co-editor, Chris Ealham, read and, in several respects, improved an early draft of chapter 10. David J. Dunthorn found time to comment usefully on a later version. In the course of putting the book together, several other individuals have been generous with advice, help and support of various kinds.