EXCEPT for chapter 8, an editorial foot-bridge across the con fused years which separate the Dutch Republic from the King dom of the Netherlands, the essays collected in this volume were originally read and discussed at meetings of Dutch and British historians held between 22 and 27 September 1969 in a number of delightful comers of Groningen and Friesland. That this con ference took place at all was due in the first instance to the initiative and organizing genius of the Instituut voor Geschiedenis of the University of Groningen: particular thanks are due to the Rector Magnificus and his...

From 11 to 15 December 1972 a group of historians from many European countries assembled in Groningen to commemorate the centenary of Johan Huizinga's birth in that city on 7 December 1872. The conference was not intended simply as a tribute to the memory of a great historian but also as an attempt to assess the sig- nificance of his work for the present generation. It was supported by generous grants from the Stichting oud-studentenfonds van 1906 at Groningen, the Gro- ninger Universiteitsfonds, and the Ministry of Education and Science. We are pleased to be able to publish all the papers...