The manor was for centuries the main unit of local government and virtually the only source of written local records. Once the local or family historian has taken his researches back beyond the mid-16th century, manorial records must be the greatest hope for information, while as late as the 18th century they can continue to provide a major source of evidence for those able to transcribe and, if necessary, translate them.

In the compilation of this important and long-needed guide, the author has drawn on over thirty years experience in teaching Latin for local history and of research into manorial records. It breaks new ground and fills the last great gap that remained in the record users armoury of practical guides to the whereabouts and use of historical source material.