The manuscript is of the preface and of chapters I-IV, not all complete, of Southey`s work. It represents, therefore, only a small part of the published two volume work. The manuscript is arranged as follows :

(i) [preface] : "The Book of the Church";

(ii) "Chapter 1. Religion of the Ancient Britons";

(iii) "Chapter 2. Religion and philosophy of the Romans. First introduction of Christianity. Persecution. First establishment of Christianity.

Religion of the Anglo Saxons";

(iv) "Chapter 3. Conversion of the Anglo Saxons" - part only, being equivalent to pages 22-34 of the published work;

(v) "Chapter 4. Causes which permitted the success of Christianity among the Anglo Saxons".