The Journal of the British Archaeological Association for 2006 (Volume 159) was a special volume dedicated to the Medieval Cloister in England and Wales. Given that the Association can only afford to publish journals above a certain length by dipping into its own reserves, it was necessary to secure outside support before we could contemplate going ahead with a volume on this scale. John Osborn agreed to take on this role of sponsor, indeed to underwrite the whole of the cost overrun. Without his generosity a BAA cloisters volume on this scale would have been quite impossible and the Association extend its heartfelt thanks. The volume was distributed to members in January 2007.