The documents printed here are all written in Latin, except for the surveys of the earl of Oxford's manors in 1563 (pp. 167-72) and parts of the surveys of 1566 and 1575 (pp. 173-97 and 208-34). They have been summarized rather than translated, since the repetitive and formulaic contents do not merit printing in full. However, phrases of doubtful reading or meaning, or ones of historical interest, have been printed in full, in italics within round brackets. Names of places, and surnames of people, have been printed as they appear in the manuscript (though with some obvious abbreviations expanded); christian names have been translated into their modern equivalents, but with the manuscript reading given (again in italics within round brackets) in cases of doubt. Similarly in headings of sections within a given survey, everything printed in the text appears in the manuscript, unless it is within square brackets; thus, on p. 13, the heading Carmynowe is as in the manuscript. Likewise sub-headings, printed for distinctness’ sake in italics within the text, are translations of manuscript headings, unless they appear within square brackets.

Words which are absent from the manuscript for some reason (usually decay or scribal omission), but which can be supplied with confidence, are printed within square brackets, in roman type as being part of the text. All editorial comment also appears within square brackets, but in italics. This includes identifications of place-name forms, with their parishes. It is hoped that this will serve adequately to distinguish, within the text itself, editorial comment and modern spellings from the all-important manuscript readings.

In the footnotes, introduction and indexes, place-name forms cited from manuscripts are cited in italics; but personal names receive the same treatment as in the text, namely modernization of the christian names and retention of the spelling of surnames. Thus on p. 1, note 3, the names of John Dauney and John de Arundel (in roman type), and also the place-names printed in italics, are as taken from the printed Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem.

For indexing policies see the introductions to the indexes; for abbreviations and references see pp. cxlviii-cliv, below.