We would normally expect an edition to have the following elements: (i) an introduction; (ii) the edited text, with (iii) an apparatus of variant readings and (iv) an apparatus of quotations and allusions; (v) a facing English translation; (vi) an index of quotations and allusions; (vii) an index of persons and subjects.
Editions might also include an index of key Latin words, and an appendix or appendices.
General instructions about style and formatting will be found in the Notes for Editors. The instructions below deal with the peculiarities of our series – what we expect in an introduction, and in presenting text, translation (where present) and variants.
ABMA does not demand camera-ready copy (although if editors can supply such copy, at the stage when the final form of the volume has been agreed on, then this is usually very helpful). Editors will normally be expected, rather, to submit (an) electronic file(s) of their editions, in one of the standard programmes. They are asked to ensure that all annotation is linked electronically (using footnote and/or endnote programmes) to the text. They are invited and encouraged to discuss any particular queries about presentation with the Project Director, who will arrange for them to consult the British Academy’s Publishing team where necessary.
i. The Introduction
At the minimum, an Introduction should contain a brief account of the author and the setting of the work edited, along with a description of the manuscripts and the transmission of the text and an explanation of the editorial principles followed. ABMA welcomes, in principle, longer Introductions, which include contextual and analytical discussion of the texts edited.
ii. The Edited Text
Editors are encouraged to use their judgements in balancing consistency and clarity with a presentation of the peculiarities of particular manuscripts. There is no firm rule for the series about orthography, paragraphing or punctuation, but in their Introduction editors should explain and justify their decisions.
The following practices should, however, be followed:
- tironian 7 and & should be read as et
- abbreviations should be silently extended
- cross-references should be clearly indicated
- editorial additions (e.g. for scribal omissions) should be in angled brackets < >; editorial deletions should be in square brackets [ ]. This convention should be indicated in the list of abbreviations, and normally such additions and deletions should be recorded in the apparatus.
- lacunae should be indicated unambiguously (e.g. by a series of dots) and recorded in the apparatus
Editors are encouraged to discuss any queries over such matters of presentation with the Project Director.
iii. The Apparatus of Variants
Only significant variants should be recorded.
Marginal notes, erasures, changes of hand or ink may also be recorded in this apparatus.
iv. The Apparatus of Quotations and Allusions
Any comments by the editor should be brief and in longer discussion can be included in the Introduction or in an appendix. Use English forms of Greek and Latin names (e.g. ‘Aristotle’, ‘Jerome’).
v. The Facing English Translation
Usually, editions in the series will include a translation into English, which will be printed so as to face the original. In some cases, however, the committee responsible for ABMA may agree to publish without a translation, because it would be impracticable to produce one, or because the work is of a very specialised sort, where a translation would find few users. Prospective editors should speak to the Project Director if they do not wish to include a translation.
vi, vii. Indexes
Editors should be careful to indicate clearly whether entries refer to pages, lines, or numbered sections in the editions.
Auctores Britannici Medii Aevi 