William H. Rich Jones – författare

William Henry Rich Jones (1817-85) compiled and transcribed the documents relating to thirteenth-century Salisbury which are contained in this work. It complements his edition of the register of St Osmund (also reissued in this series) which relates to twelfth-century Salisbury. Following his untimely death, this work was completed and published in 1891 by his long-time acquaintance William Dunn Macray (1826-1916). The documents collected here include papal bulls, grants from sovereigns and bishops of Salisbury, foundation charters and items relating to church history. They are drawn from five Salisbury manuscripts and are presented in chronological order, more accurately than in previous publications, and with English side-notes to the Latin text. When first published, this collection was considered primarily of interest to local historians of Salisbury and Wiltshire. However, it also illustrates the pivotal role Salisbury played within the wider ecclesiastical, social and royal contexts of the thirteenth century.