Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

'Stow's Survey' is a historical work readily identified by this familiar name alone. John Stow (c.1524-1605) was a Londoner, a member of the Merchant Taylors' Company, but spent most of his life accumulating manuscripts and other historical records. His great work, A Survey of London, was published in 1603, and is reissued here in the two-volume version edited by C. L. Kingsford (1862-1926) and published in 1908. Kingsford, a government education official, was also a writer for the Dictionary of National Biography, to which he contributed over 300 entries. His Chronicles of London (also reissued in this series) was published in 1905. In Volume 1, Kingsford's preface explains his editorial practice; he also provides an introduction including documents illustrative of Stow's family background and life, and a bibliography of sources. Stow's text begins with general essays on London's history, and follows with a ward-by-ward description.

'Stow's Survey' is a historical work readily identified by this familiar name alone. John Stow (c.1524-1605) was a Londoner, a member of the Merchant Taylors' Company, but spent most of his life accumulating manuscripts and other historical records. His great work, A Survey of London, was published in 1603, and is reissued here in the two-volume version edited by C. L. Kingsford (1862-1926) and published in 1908. Kingsford, a government education official, was also a writer for the Dictionary of National Biography, to which he contributed over 300 entries. His Chronicles of London (also reissued in this series) was published in 1905. Volume 2 continues the ward-by-ward account, and goes on to describe Westminster, the city's churches and hospitals, its government, mayor and sheriffs, and the guilds. Kingsford provides notes, a glossary and comprehensive indexes, offering an accessible and accurate version of this vital source for the city's history.

John Stow first published his Survey of London in 1598 during the reign of Elizabeth I. His detailed description of the city and its suburbs was an immediate success when it first appeared and has remained a popular classic of English history ever since. Born in London in 1525, John Stow lived through the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI, Elizabeth I and into that of James I. He was a tailor by occupation who took an active interest in the life and times of his native city, which had grown very quickly during his own lifetime. Spurred on by this rapid change, towards the end of the 16th century Stow began to set down all he knew of London's past history and its present state of change. The result was his Survey of London, the first edition of which was published in 1598 with a second, revised, edition appearing in 1603. Stow's Survey of London is significant because it was the first of its kind ever to be published, and provides a valuable record of the city before the devastating effects of the Plague and the Great Fire. It is also a crucial source of information on the architecture and buildings to be found in Elizabethan London. more or less continuously since 1598. Today, however, copies of even the most recent editions are becoming rare, so this new and timely edition from Sutton will ensure the continued availability of Stow's classic history.