HAving in the Year 1681. published a small Treatise, by way of Essay to a more compleat History of Westminster-Abby, (wherein little else was contained, than a bare Description of the Monuments themselves, with the Arms, Epitaphs, and Inscriptions) and finding the Impression to answer my expectation, by the Stationers speedy disposal of it: I have been earnestly pressed and intreated by some Persons of Worth and Learning to finish my larger Volume, Of the Ori­ginal of this Monastry, &c. which for some years I have been extracting from Old Leiger-Books, Records, Deeds, Evidences, Manuscripts, and other Authentique Testimonies of our best Historians and Antiquaries. And altho' therein I have taken much pains, and am now endeavouring (in answer to my Friends intreaties) to compile and methodise the same: yet I do esteem a Work of this Nature (especially in this curious Age) Lame and Imperfect, unless those Noble Monuments and Sumptuous Tombs (with which this Church is richly adorn'd beyond all other Churches on this side the Alps) be brought to the eye, and the Views represented in most lively Sculptures. The Charge whereof becoming unsuitable (by bearing no proportion) to a private Un­dertaking, hath given me the occasion of thinking it convenient to inform all Noblemen and others of this my Design; and to request all those whose Ancestors or Relations have had the Honour to be Interr'd in this so Famous ABBY, and whose magnificent Tombs and Monuments are still remaining, That they would be pleas'd so far to preserve the Remembrance of them from the Ruines of Time, Sacriledge, Fire, or what other Accident may happen to deface them, as to be at the Expence of having the said Monuments and Tombs of their Ancestors Shadowed by the Originals, and finely Engraven on Copper-Plates: By which Act they will not only perpetuate the Memory of their Relations, but likewise Eternize Themselves, by leaving to Posterity so grateful a Memorial of them. And the AUTHOR of this History shall esteem himself extremely obliged to every such Person of Quality, who are willing to advance so laudable an Undertaking; Engaging moreover, to present such Noble Per­sonages with one of the said Books, as soon as finished, without any other Cost or Charges; as like­wise, to place his Coat of Arms, or Atchievement of Honour, on every such Plate, with some further Memorial, by way of acknowledgment.

And whereas many Persons of Honour (Lovers of Antiquity) who have no Ancestors or Relati­ons buried in this Church, may yet be desirous of preserving something worthy of Their Care to fu­ture Ages: These are therefore to let such Noble Personages know, That there be many ancient graceful Tombs and Monuments (of Persons of great Eminence) still remaining, whose Families are totally extinct; whereby they may have an ample Occasion, at this present, to perform such their desires; And for their better encouragement, proportionable to what Sum they shall please to be­stow, (provided the same be not under Three Pounds, two thirds whereof to be paid down, and the rest at the delivery of the Book) they shall be esteemed as Benefactors in Part, or in Whole, to some one Sculpture, with their Coat-Armour likewise placed thereon, and to be presented with a Book, equally with those whose Relations lie there Interr d.

Furthermore, for that the Author's intention is not to advantage himself any otherwise by those Sculptures and Engravings, than that they may serve to adorn his said Book, and to preserve the Fi­gures of such Monuments for the future: He is well contented that all Persons of Quality and Others (who are Willing to bestow any such Sculpture or Engravings on his said Book) be pleased to make use of what Artist they shall think fit, to perform the same, provided that those Plates bear propor­tion to the rest, and to the size of the said Book, and that they are done by Experienc'd Masters) not­withstanding he hath already been at the Trouble and Expence of having all the Monuments Sur­vey'd, and a Computation made (by the ablest Masters now among us in Draught and Sculpture) what the Cost and Charges of every particular Tomb and Monument will amount to; and that ac­cording to the most reasonable Rates they can be afforded at, as to the Method and Size proposed both for Copper, Drawing and Graving. And for the better Information of all Persons of Quality and Others, that are desirous to know who of their respective Families lie there Entombed: I shall refer them to my above-mentioned Printed Book, Entituled, MONUMENTA WESTMONASTE­RIENSIA; Or, A Concise History of Westminster-Abby. Sold by Thomas Dring at the Harrow, and Christopher Wilkinson at the Black-boy, Book-sellers, in Fleet-street nigh the Temple.

For the Historical Part of this Work, it will be divided into Four Books, with an Appendix and double Table.

The First Book is to comprehend all matters relating to the BUILDINGS; as, the several Ere­ctions and Reparations of the Church, Chapter-house, Cloisters, Library, Hall, School, Deans House, and other Offices belonging to the same; with the several Benefactions, Donations, Guifts, Endowments, and Priviledges granted thereto, distributed under the peculiar Heads of the ABBOTS, and other Governours thereof; By which many things (especially as to Time) will be regularly observed, and much Confusion avoided. And further, That each Chapter of this Book do end with the Death or Removal of the Abbot, or Chief Governour; and that the Chapter fol­lowing still begin with his Successor: having first given some Historical Account concerning the said Governour, time of his Death, place of Burial, Epitaph, &c. Removal, Preferment, or De­position.

The Second Book is to contain divers Rules, Orders, Injunctions, Ceremonies, Priviledges, Oaths and Obligations to be observed and taken by the Governours, and those under their Care and Ju­risdiction; with the Installment of the Abbots, Introduction of the Monks, Bishop, Deans, Pre­bends, &c. And a more singular Treatise than hath ever yet been published, of the Forms and Ceremonies used and practiced at the Solemn Inaugurations or Coronations of our KINGS and QUEENS, from the time of the SAXONS to this day. To which is added, The manner of Their Interments, and Funeral Solemnities, practiced in ancient time, with those of the Abbots and his Monks.

The Third Book shall specify all those Persons by Name Alphabetically, whom I have met with to be Interred here; whether KINGS, QUEENS, PRINCES of the Blood, DUKES, &c. or other of the lesser NOBILITY, with Remarks on their Lives, Funeral-Pomps, Coenotaphs, Families, Matches, Issue, Genealogies, Paternal Coats of Arms, Places of Trust, Writings, or whatever else hath been found Remarkable concerning Them; wherein much variety of Delightful and Histo­rical Antiquity will appear.

The Fourth and Last Book will be wholly taken up with the CHAPPELS; To whom, and up­on what occasion, Dedicated; with all the Epitaphs, Elegies, Inscriptions, Tables, Coats of Arms, Banners, Bannerels, Pennons, Guideons, Helms, Crests, Supporters, Badges, Intaglio's, Cyphers, Motto's, or whatever else of that kind are remaining about the Tombs or Grave-stones. Together with, The lively Representation of all the Monuments themselves, curiously Design'd, and exactly Engraven in large Folio-Plates; with several Prospects and Views of the Church, Chappels, Pain­ted-Windows, Chapter-house, &c. amounting to well nigh One hundred and Thirty; whereby this Work will be most Nobly Illustrated, far beyond any thing that hath ever yet been extant of this Nature; Which, by the Divine Assistance, shall be brought to Perfection in as short a time as it is possible for the Diligence of the Painter and the Care of the Graver to perform the same with Ex­actness; And that the Supply expected by those Persons of Quality who intend to be concern'd therein, be Sudden, and suitable to so Great an Undertaking.

The APPENDIX is to give you the Copies of all those Deeds, Charters, Records, Evidences, and other Testimonies from whence the greatest Part of this Work is Extracted. And the TABLE being Two-fold, in the First will be found all those Persons by Name, in Alphabet, or by their Titles of Honour, who are mention'd in this Book; And in the Second, those things most worthy of Observation.