by Mary Lide
As historical background for this book, I have relied mainly upon contemporary sources, a good general book being English Historical Documents, 1143-1189, edited by D. C. Douglas and G. W. Greenaway. Specific writers I found useful include Roger of Howden, Walter Map, William of Newburg, Robert of Torigny, and Gerald of Wales.
General books on the period include Le Gouvernement d' Henri II Plantagenet by J. Boussard, and Henry II by W. L. Warren. Specialized books include France in the Middle Ages by Paul Lacroix, English Medieval Castles by R. A. Brown, The Military Organization of Norman England by Warren Hollister, and A History of Wales by J. E. Lloyd.
In addition I have made several trips in the past two years to the major sites mentioned in this book, mainly to the Welsh border; have visited various castles in England and France, especially in Normandy; and stayed in Paris, Poitiers, and Rouen. My thanks to friends and hosts who helped me on these journeys.