The texts have been transcribed in the original with three exceptions: abbreviations have been extended except in Ellesmere's notes; the first letters of words beginning new sentences have been capitalised; and punctuation has been added where it has appeared to be absolutely necessary (for example, to separate lists of items). All case titles are printed in roman type.

Brackets [ ] denote page numbers of the tracts, and are also used to set off Ellesmere's own footnotes to his text.

Angular brackets < > have been used for conjectured readings.

Double angular brackets « » have been used for additions of my own where such clarification seems essential.

Textual footnotes are identified by notation with italic letters.” The author's instructions regarding textual variations are in italic. General notes are identified with cardinal numerals. Finally, I wish to thank the following libraries and archives for allowing permission to transcribe and edit these manuscripts: the Harvard Law Lib. and Northamptonshire Rec. Off. for the ‘Royall Prerogatiue’ (Chap. IX); the Henry E. Huntington Lib. for’ Speciall Observacions’ (Chap. XI), ‘Thinges to be considered’ (Chap. XII), and 'Memorialles for Iudicature’ (Chap. XIII); the Bodleian Lib. for Trohibitians’ (Chap. XIV); the British Museum for ‘Observacions vpon Cookes Reports’ (Chap. XV); and the Folger Shakespeare, and Cambridge Univ. Lib. for ‘A breviate’ (Chap. XVI).