A fine heraldic manuscript on vellum, giving biographical details of each of the Dukes of York from Edmund, fifth son of Edward III, created Duke in 1385, to Frederick, second son of George III, created Duke in 1784. Each biographical page is followed by a depiction of that Duke's Arms, including charges on the label for difference because of the change in the Royal Arms in 1801, taking account of the abolition of the French monarchy and the Union of Great Britain and Ireland, Sir George Nayler has shown both the pre-1800 and new Arms for that Duke.

The volume is bound in crimson velvet with silver embroidered foliate decoration, and the initial F under his ducal coronet on the front board. It was damaged in a bomb explosion during the Blitz in 1940. It was acquired by the Royal Library after the War, probably in 1946.