"Virtually the sole source has been the Parish Register of Froome Selwood in Somerset, from which examples have been taken. The earlier portions of this Register were evidently copied in one hand at about 1598, when a number of different hands appear. The object has been to include as many varieties as was practicable, so as to form a nucleus for reference, and this applies both to the formation of single letters, and to the spelling of Christian Names. Finally, a short selection of Place Names, all taken from a Calendar of Hampshire Wills, has been included as an exercise for those who like puzzles."--Introduction, p. 1.