Part of the Rolls Series of publications of historical documents in the public domain, this two-volume collection, published 1862–6, brings together the most interesting and important correspondence of Henry III, his Court, the nobility and bishops. Transcribed from the fragile originals in the Public Record Office, the letters are given in the original Latin. A chronological table provides dates and details of each letter with a short summary of its contents in English. The editor, Walter Waddington Shirley (1828–66), started his academic career as a mathematician, and ended it as Regius Professor of Ecclesiastical History and Canon at Christ Church, Oxford. This volume covers the latter part of Henry's reign, from 1235 to his death in 1272, years marked by Henry's conflict with his barons as well as with the Scots and French.
