THE PREFACE. AHE following pages are copied from an ancient Manufcript in poffeffion of the Duke T and Duchefs of Northumberland, who conceiving that fo fingular a curiofity might afford the fame amusement and pleasure to others, which it hath given to themselves, have caused a small impreffion to be taken off merely to bestow in prefents to their friends. The original Manufcript, which fills a very large folio volume, and is finely ingroffed upon a strong thick paper, had by fome accident or other been loft to the Northumberland family, but was happily preferved in that of the Lords DACRE; till the prefent nobleman restored it to the Duke and Duchefs with a politenefs that deferved their particular thanks. Nor ought the very obliging offices of Lord CAMDEN to pals pafs unacknowledged; by whofe kind interpofition it was prefented to the family. It was prefumed, fo curious a monument of ancient times deserved to be rescued from oblivion, and to be perpetuated at least in a small impreffion, upon feveral accounts. In the FIRST place, as it exhibits a curious PICTURE OF ANCIENT MANNERS. Here we see the great magnificence of our old nobility, who feated in their castles, lived in a state and fplendour very much resembling and scarce inferiour to that of the Royal Court. Their Houshold was established upon the fame plan, their Officers bore the fame titles, and their Warrants ran in the fame form and ftile 2. This remarkable refemblance to the Royal Establishments will ftrike the Reader the moment he opens this Book. As the King had his Privy Council and great Council of Parliament, to affist him in enacting ftatutes and regulations for the public weal; fo the Earl of Northumberland had his Council, compofed of his principal officers, by whofe advice and affiftance he established this Code of Oeconomic Laws. As the King had his Lords and Grooms of the bed-chamber, who waited in their respective turns; fo the Earl of Northumberland was attended by the Conftables and Bailiffs of his feveral castles, &c. who entered into waiting in regular fucceffion. The two firft offices about his perfon, were occafionally to be filled by his own younger fons d. Nor can we doubt but all the head officers of his houf ■ See p. 109, &c. &c. P. 53. • See pag. 362. See p. 1. & paffim. See fect. vii. |