The following are notes for the Old Engish Manuscripts Database for Microsoft Excel. This spreadsheet include many notes within cells (denoted by a small red dot in the upper right corner of the cell; accessed by pulling down the "insert" menu and selecting "notes"). This page is intended merely to give an overview of the database.

1. THE SOURCE OF THE CONTENTS
   The contents of the database were taken predominantly from two sources: A Catalogue of Manuscripts Containing Anglo-Saxon by N. R. Ker (Clarendon Press, 1954), and my own literature searches (used to compile the list of facsimiles). The Catalogue is an indispensible resource for anyone researching Old English manuscripts, and should be referred to any time someone wants more information about a particular manuscript. It is detailed and comprehensive. However, it is also out of print and difficult to find.
   
   
2. THE USE OF LATIN
   Frequently, the Latin name of a text is used in the "Subject" column, in order to stay in line with conventional references. Example: Bede's Ecclesiastical History of the English People is referred to as Historia Ecclesiastica.... However, I have occasionally listed the English name, in order to ease identification; if you cannot find a subject in Latin, try English, and vice versa.
   
   
3. MISCELLANEOUS NOTES
   
   • No ligatures are used in the excel database; the letters are divided (example: the name Ælfric is spelled "Aelfric")
   • The thorn (þ) and eth (ð) characters are written as "th".

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Send your comments to John Herrington at jherringtn@aol.com
© John Herrington 1998