This book, which occupied my leisure hours from 1910 to 1917, was written in a Devonshire village under the difficulties which naturally confront one who lives far from great libraries. It had been my intention to return to Italy and to finish it in Pisa. The war prevented that. I am conscious of many deficiencies; but I think it better to commit my volume to the press rather than to await opportunities which, at my age, are unlikely to recur. For copies of numerous passages from documents and chronicles and for the verification of many references I am indebted to the unfailing kindness of my friends Mr Edmund G. Gardner, Mr Robert W. Carden, Mr Edward Hutton and, above all, Mr A. G. Ferrers Howell who has taken an interest in the work ever since its inception and has rendered me invaluable assistance in ways too various to particularise. The two modern writers to whom I owe most are Professor G. Volpe and Professor Camillo Manfroni. How greatly I have profited by their learning may be gauged by the frequency with which I have cited their works in my footnotes. The map which accompanies the book was prepared for me by Mr Donald E. Woollen.