This site is designed to be explored in a non-linear fashion. Users can navigate through the different sections using the navigation bar at the top of each page. The site contains information about the historical context of the letters, visuals of the networks of the letters, a vocabulary section to help users understand key terms, and an API for accessible data.
Transcriptions of the letters are not housed in the repository or on this site. Several editorial decisions were made in the process, including the normalization of spelling and punctuation in geolocation to enhance readability. Every effort has been made to preserve the original meaning and tone of the letters. For keyowrds and names, original spellings have been mostly retained. So far as quotations from primary sources, all spelling and punctuation has been kept as in the original, with the exception of changing “uu” and “vv” to “w”; “ſ” or “ſ” to “s”; and “i” to “j” and “u” to “v” where appropriate. Similarly, there are frequent abbreviated words throughout the sources which have been elongated as per the rules of paleography where needed, while trying to stay as true to the original as possible. The terms included in this list are: Lo, Ld = Lord; Sr = Sir; Ma:tie = Majesty; wch = which; wth = with; wt = what; ye = the; ym = them; yt = that; yor, yr = your. Any quotes or transcribed material on the site are based on original documents and are intended to provide an accurate representation of the content.
The vocabulary section provides definitions for key terms used in the letters and their historical context. The following terminology is employed throughout the project. Each keyword is defined as it relates to the content featured on this site, often providing more contemporary definitions for historical terms, ideas, and concepts: