There are elements of special pleasure in addressing this Conference on the Archives of York. Something of that pleasure arises from the fact that so many of the leading personalities of this meeting are connected in some way with the chief collection with which my address is concerned. The retiring President is not unacquainted with the Borthwick Institute, and more than once has honoured us by giving the opening lecture at our Summer Schools. His successor in office also has lectured in those Schools, and for many years has used the diocesan records there for his published work, for lectures and for research generally. Dom Aveling, since the opening of the Borthwick Institute, has been a much-valued visitor, using the riches of the collections housed there. Dr Tyler has been in a special relation there, for since he first came as an undergraduate from Oxford, it has been a pleasure to observe, and to some extent to direct and aid, his progress in research and in specialized knowledge.