An Illustrated Quarterly Journal devoted to the History, Antiquities, Biography, Dialect, Folk Lore, Legend, Genealogy, Topography, Natural History, etc of the County of Rutland.

INTRODUCTORY

IT is perhaps necessary, when issuing the first number of a new Magazine, that something should be said to justify its appearance in the already overcrowded world of literature, on the ground that it has a place to fill in the shape of a want which it hopes to satisfy.

The study of Archaeology and kindred subjects has, of late years, acquired a new popularity; not only with those who were formerly looked upon as harmless, though eccentric, individuals, whose lives seemed to be spent in the contemplation of old books, pictures, coins, fragments of pottery, and bones and stones,—which were looked upon as priceless treasures,—but also with those people who have a real belief in the progress of humanity, and who know that all progress, which is sound, healthy and enduring, must be built on the solid foundation of pre-existing fact.

The special study of the Antiquary is to examine and compare, in the light of history, all those records of the past which Old Father Time has preserved, and from them endeavour to give some insight into the manners, customs and habits of our forefathers. The special mission of the Rutland Magazine is to unearth those old records which have a local significance and, so long as they embody the spirit of the past, endeavour to make them live and walk the earth once more.

It has long been our wish to collect and preserve, in a permanent form, all facts and matters of interest relating to the Antiquities, Archaeology, Architecture, Folk Lore, Curious Customs, Dialect, Place Names and Old Records of our little county. The success which followed the formation of the Rutland Archaeological and Natural History Society seemed to indicate that the time was opportune for the issue of such a publication; while the promises of support, in response to the preliminary prospectus, were sufficient to show that there is every possibility of the Magazine becoming a permanent and useful addition to the somewhat scanty literature Rutland at present possesses.

It is not our intention to put forward any new ideas or theories on the subjects with which this Magazine will deal, nor shall we be able to take credit for any originality in our method of procedure. We hope, however, to interest our readers in the past history of the county and, by the aid of our literary and pictorial contributors, bring together, as it were in a local museum, the scattered fragments of Antiquarian Lore and tabulate and localize them before they pass down the stream of time into the ocean of oblivion.

Rutland, although the smallest of English counties, has many important historical associations, is rich in objects of Antiquarian interest, and can boast of numerous “Worthies” who were either natives or made this beautiful county their home. The natural surroundings, the flora and fauna, to lovers of nature in all its moods, are objefts of never ending interest. A wealth of Roman and Anglo-Saxon remains gives evidence of hoary antiquity; while its dialed!, place names and folk lore, separate it from the surrounding counties by a peculiarity all its own.

The Ecclesiastical and Domestic Architectural features take a foremost place for so small an area, and customs, ranging back to Feudal times, still exist, linking present and past in an unbroken chain. Family history and heraldry are to be fouud graven on tomb and painted in window in every church throughout its boundaries. All these subjects will come within the scope of the Magazine. In addition Old Manor Houses, Ruined Religious Houses, Holy Wells, Roman Camps, Coins, and Roads, Anglo-Saxon Weapons, Armour and Ornaments, Monumental Inscriptions, Quaint Epitaphs, Family Genealogies, Manorial Customs and Tenures, Old Drawings, Engravings, Pictures, Broadsides, Ballads and Newspapers, Parochial Registers, Churchwardens Accounts, Records, Deeds, Old Books, MSS. and Ancient Charters will be pressed into our service with a view to making them interesting and instructive.

We shall be pleased at any time to have the loan, or a copy, of any manuscripts, deeds, charters or notes relating to the county which readers may consider worthy of record. Photographs or drawing of any place, or portraits of persons connected with the county will be esteemed; and we are open to receive, for review, any work, article or paper containing notices of the whole or any part of Rutland.

A “Queries” column has been provided for readers who desire information on local subjects and answers will be received for publication.

By our own enthusiasm for this self-imposed task we hope to be able to imbue, with the same spirit, our contributors, and, anticipating that every reader will endeavour to promote the success of the Rutland Magazine, conclude in the words of Lord Bacon, who says :—

“Out of monuments, names, wordes, proverbs, traditions, private recordes, and evidences, fragments of stories, passages of bookes, and the like, we doe save and recover somewhat from the deluge of time.”

The Editor.
The Library, Oakham.
Jan. 1st, 1903.

Volume 1 - 1903/4  |  Volume 2 - 1904/5  |  Volume 3 - 1905/6