Between 1869 and 2003, The Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts (abbreviated as the HMC) was an organisation with the task "to make enquiry as to the places where manuscripts and private papers of historical interest were located and to report on their contents". This commission meant that the HMC created detailed catalogues, calendars and lists of the privately owned archives of Britain and (before 1922) Ireland. In many cases they remain the easiest, if not the only, way to gain access to privately owned archives, and collectively contain a wealth of information unavailable in any other format. The subject areas contained within the HMC reports are almost limitless, and they are essential reading for researchers in medieval and early modern history.
Holinshed's history of the British Isles is a source as much for the mythical origin myths of Britain as perceived in the sixteenth century - and famously also a source for Shakespeare's histories - as literal fact. Yet the accounts are no less valuable, nor interesting, for their frequent lack of historical basis.
Holinshed's history of the British Isles is a source as much for the mythical origin myths of Britain as perceived in the sixteenth century - and famously also a source for Shakespeare's histories - as literal fact. Yet the accounts are no less valuable, nor interesting, for their frequent lack of historical basis.
Holinshed's history of the British Isles is a source as much for the mythical origin myths of Britain as perceived in the sixteenth century - and famously also a source for Shakespeare's histories - as literal fact. Yet the accounts are no less valuable, nor interesting, for their frequent lack of historical basis.
Holinshed's history of the British Isles is a source as much for the mythical origin myths of Britain as perceived in the sixteenth century - and famously also a source for Shakespeare's histories - as literal fact. Yet the accounts are no less valuable, nor interesting, for their frequent lack of historical basis.
Holinshed's history of the British Isles is a source as much for the mythical origin myths of Britain as perceived in the sixteenth century - and famously also a source for Shakespeare's histories - as literal fact. Yet the accounts are no less valuable, nor interesting, for their frequent lack of historical basis.
Holinshed's history of the British Isles is a source as much for the mythical origin myths of Britain as perceived in the sixteenth century - and famously also a source for Shakespeare's histories - as literal fact. Yet the accounts are no less valuable, nor interesting, for their frequent lack of historical basis.
