Originally published in 1915, this book was intended to encourage students of medieval history to take up palaeography by demonstrating its importance when applied to certain historical documents in the collection of the Public Records Office. Jenkinson details the various types of 'court hand' that may be seen on medieval records, and emphasises that the study of palaeography must necessarily be accompanied with an equal emphasis on the history of administration. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in medieval history and the history of British administrative conventions.