The contents are as follows: (i) Short minutes of the proceedings of Parliament, 1400-1622 (folio 1); (ii) “Notes furth the books of Secret Council” and “Catalogues of the acts of Secret Council” and “Missive letters in the book of Secret Council” and “Council missives to & from His Majestie”, 1546-1635 (folio 111); (iii) ‘Minute of the Register of the Chekkers beginnand 16 July 1583 to 17 July 1629’ (folio 527).

These notes have originally been written on separate quires and some portions of blank leaves are thus intermixed. There are many notes and titles in Lord Haddington’s own hand.

The description of the manuscript in the folio catalogue (F.R.186) includes the reference: A.4.20.