This volume presents an analytical bibliography of twenty narrative lays written in French in the late twelfth and early thirteenth centuries - Aristote, Conseil, Cor, Desire, Doon, Espervier, Espine, Graelent, Guingamor, Haveloc, Ignaure, Lecheor, Mantel, Melion, Nabaret, Oiselet, Ombre, Trot, Tydorel and Tyolet - seeking to provide a complete list of the editions, translations, and substantial studies which have been devoted to them over the years.

The choice of the twenty poems corresponds to Donovan's The Bretton Lay, the only synthesis so far available on this topic in English. Most references are accompanied by a summary which analyses their contribution to the topic under discussion, covering the item's significance and interest rather than simply analysing the contents. Items found in works of reference and briefer studies forming part of books or articles are included where appropriate.

Each individual bibliography is intended to stand independently, with full references given in each case for editions and translations cross-references to important items found in other parts of the volume are given at the end of each bibliography. The twenty parts are preceded by a general section which lists contributions to more than one lay.