Editorial Method

EDITORIAL METHOD

The text of the inventory, and the texts in the documentary appendix, follow as far as possible the sources from which they were transcribed. Any editorial changes are noted in the textual footnotes, which are indicated by superscript alphabetical letters. Abbreviations and contractions have been extended silently wherever possible, but in the many instances where the scribe's intentions over gender and number are uncertain, the suspension mark has been retained. Entry numbers, punctuation, capitals and word-division are editorial. The use of u and v has been standardised. The abbreviations adopted for weights and expressions of money are as set out in the tables preceding the introduction.

French

Soft c, followed by a, o or u has been distinguished as ç. No attempt has been made to iron out idiosyncracies in the language of the inventory and the other documents written by Englishmen. These have a marked English dialect character, especially when they are not based on French documents. In the transcriptions the acute accent only has been used and then only in two circumstances: to distinguish é from unaccented e in polysyllabic words, where the e is final (but not for the feminine and plural forms), and to distinguish accented e followed by s (aprés). Citations in the commentary from post-medieval and printed editions follow the practice of the source cited. The usual current French spelling of Charles VI's motto, Jamés, is retained in the introduction and commentary.

Brackets

Round brackets have been used for marginalia, subscriptions, etc., in the text hand, angle brackets for additions not in the text hand. Square brackets indicate editorial notes [Marginated], etc. The layout of the text depends on the function of the note. If the note relates only to a single entry, the usual space is left between entries, but if it belongs with two or more entries, these are set out as a group, without spaces between.

Concordances

Where the same object is listed both in the inventory itself (R), and in one of four sources printed or summarised in the documentary appendix: (J), (D), (W), (P), cross-references are supplied in both places. Significant variants are noted in the textual footnotes to R.

Weights and values

In R weights are expressed in three ways: mostly as Troy pounds and ounces, but also as Tower pounds (weight of nobles), and Troy marks and ounces (for most objects with a French provenance). Most entries give both weights and values, but some give only an ‘estimated’ value, whereas weights but not values are given for the vessels charged to the household. Exceptions where neither is given are indicated in the textual notes.

Commentary

Commentary notes follow the inventory text, grouped under the relevant R numbers. These elucidate as far as possible the nature of an object, its provenance, and later history. For donors, see also the introduction and tables.

Documentary appendix

The supplementary texts and tables in the appendix make accessible additional evidence for the provenance and dispersal of the treasure.