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Streamlining research:

State Papers Online expands the research possibilities for scholars offering multiple options for finding and viewing manuscripts to suit different research needs:

  • Basic search and advanced search

  • Useful and time saving limiters allowing users to limit results by date, reign, collection segment, Calendar or manuscript volume, language, illustrations and maps or source archive

  • Browse through a single volume of either Calendar or manuscripts, or jump from volume to volume

  • View Calendar entry with manuscript image

  • View two manuscripts or two Calendar entries side by side for comparative analysis

  • Links from each manuscript to its Calendar entry with fully searchable Calendars

  • View manuscript with a virtual note pad that allows users to make personal notes


  • Magnify or rotate high resolution images

  • Marked items and Mark list

  • Print, save or email manuscript folio links to colleagues

  • Submit comments, corrections, or transcriptions for inclusion in  State Papers Online                                                                              


For teaching and learning:

  • Introductory essays on the importance of the 16th- and 17th-Century State Papers by the Gene ral Editors as well as essays by leading historians on key subjects with links to the documents

  • Additional research tools including lists of abbreviations, glossary,chronologies, details of dates, weights and measures, as well as holders of the main offices of government

  • Key Documents – a selection of the most used documents for easy access


  • Links to online palaeography and Latin courses and other selected sites of value to users

  • Image Library - a collection of contempory portraits, illustrations and maps