The contents of the manuscript are as follows:

(i) Statutes of the Order of the Garter in English (folio 1). The Statutes are those of Edward VI, 17 March 1552/1553, and are followed by a list of knights present at that Chapter. For other Statutes in English, see Adv.MS.31.7.18.

(ii) `Regula pauperum commilitonum Christi templique salomonici` by Joannes Michaelensis, written in two hands of the 12th century (folio 18). The order of chapters differs from that given in ‘Patrologia latina’ 166, columns 857-874; cap.39 is followed by part of cap.43 and caps.44-45, 43, 40-42.

(iii) `The pointes of worship in armes that longen to a gentilman in armes` by John Hill (folio 38). According to the introduction, Hill was a sergeant in the office of armoury of Henry IV and Henry V. The colophon adds that he died in London in November 1434.

(iv) `The manere and forme of making of the thre oothes that every appellaunt and defendaunt owe to make openly in the felde` (folio 41 verso), part of `Ordonnance d`Angleterre pour le camp à l`outrance` by Thomas of Woodstock (see the edition by Sir Travers Twiss, ‘The Black Book of the Admiralty’, i, pages 314-328). This version is in French, but the oaths are also given in English. The names of the combatants (Aillard de Kaisnes and Carodos de Bomboys) are also given.

(v) The early part, omitting the dedication, of `Ordonnance d`Angleterre pour le camp à l`outrance` by Thomas of Woodstock (folio 46).

The text is in French and shows a number of variations from the edition in ‘The Black Book of the Admiralty’, i, pages 304-320. The names of the combatants are not given.

(vi) Statutes of the Order of the Garter in French (folio 49). The Statutes are those of Henry V (see ‘The Institution ... of the most noble Order of the Garter’, appendix). For other copies of the Statutes in French, see Adv.MS.31.7.18, Ch.A.43 and MS.7H3.

(vii) Proclamation of a tournament in French (folio 57). The combatants, who are not named, are from the jurisdictions of Clarenceux and Norroy respectively.

(viii) `Ce sont les drois des Roys darmes et heraulx du fait de tourney` (folio 58 verso).

(ix) Rules for the creation of Knights of the Bath, in French (folio 59). These vary considerably from the version given by John Anstis ‘Observations introductory to an historical essay, upon the Knighthood of the Bath’, pages 106-112. The final paragraph is omitted.

(x) Letters from various mythological and legendary persons, sending challengers to a tournament at the court of Princess Blanche, daughter of the king of Britain (folio 63 verso). Followed by the title: `Cest la copie des Jugemens et Holies de Ollerum`.

(xi) Description in French of the institution of heralds by Julius Caesar (folio 70). Folio 77 should follow folio 75.

(xii) `La manere et comment on doit prendre et recevoir le serment dung Roy darmes herault ou oultre Officier darmes soubz eulx` (folio 76).

(xiii) `In magno consilio cuiuslibet Regis` (folio 78). Notes on court officials, and remarks on justice based mainly on the works of Sallust.

(xiv) Order of coronation of an English king and queen, beginning `Die quo novus rex est consecrandus erunt presentes` (folio 81). See ‘English Coronation Records’, pages 81-112. As with Legg`s manuscript 0 (Bodleian MS.Rawl.c.425), this version contains the short rubrics, and the prayer `Sta et retine` is followed by the Mass for the King. According to a note, probably by John Anstis the Elder, on folio 80 verso, the first paragraph `is of the same Tenour with the Rolle now in the Tower of the Coronation of Edw. the 2[?].` The second paragraph begins `Ordo novum Regem in Regno constituendo` (‘English Coronation Records’, page 85, footnote). There are annotations throughout in the same hand, giving the variant readings from MS.Rawl.c.425.

(xv) `The names and armes of the Earles MarshalIs of Englande` by Francis Thynne, 1601 (folio 91). This is a very much fuller version than Thynne`s essay in ‘A Collection of curious discourses’, ii, pages 113-116. It contains a dedication to and brief genealogy of Charles Howard, Earl of Nottingham, and extracts from official records concerning the office of Earl Marshall. There are also (folio 160) paintings of the arms of the various holders of the office.

Sections (iii) to (xiv) are written in the same hand of the late 15th or early 16th century, with initials in red and blue, some with decorative penwork. Section (i) contains the arms of Edward VI, and illuminated initials on gold, blue or red grounds. Section (ii) has decorated initials in green, blue and red, with rubrics in red.

There is a list of contents, probably by John Anstis the Elder (folio ii).