The present work was designed not as a history of the Normans in
South Wales but as an extended commentary upon that history.
This particular approach was made possible only through the previous
eforts of Sir Coronwy Edwards, J. E. Lloyd, T. Pierce-Jones,
William Rees, and others. Therefore, the first task of these
Acknowledgments must be to record my indebtedness to those scholars
upon whose work I have attempted to build.
Whatever new I have brought to this task also I owe to others.
Among these are three of my former teachers to whom I feel a
special debt of gratitude. Barnes F. Lathrop introduced me to
those standards of judgment and performance which make up the
historian's craft. What is more, by precept and example he made
those standards worthwhile for a man to pursue. Walter Prescott
Webb introduced me to a greater breadth of vision by pointing out
that History is one great whole and that the arbitrary divisions
of time and function of which historians are so fond lead more
often to confusion than to convenience. My chief debt, however,
I owe to A. R. Lewis, who insisted always that research be something
more than the mere collection and arrangement of data. He guided me in
undertaking the present work, and offered advice and encouragement
at every step. He has been both teacher and friend, and I cheerfully
attribute all the virtues of this work to him. The defects I keep for
myself.
I have been encouraged and assisted by a host of people and can
single out but a few for special thanks. The Regents of The University
of Texas made possible the grant under which I was able to pursue
research in England and Wales. The libraries and staffs of the Universities
of Texas, Kansas, London, and Wales, together with those of the Institute of
Historical Research and the British Museum, have been unfailingly kind and
helpful.
My friends and associates have been generous with both time and
patience. To them I can only say that I hope that my work is worthy
of the good will they have shown. Finally, my special thanks to my
wife, Carolyn, who has steadfastly refused to be bored by the whole
affair.
L. H. Nelson
Lawrence, Kansas
