A Descriptive Index of the English Lyrics in John of Grimestone's Preaching Book by Edward Wilson provides a comprehensive analysis of a 14th-century Franciscan manuscript, offering unique insights into medieval English religious life. Compiled by John of Grimestone, a Norfolk Franciscan friar in 1372, the manuscript includes 246 English and Latin lyric poems, many of which are religious in nature, alongside preaching notes and moral reflections. Wilson meticulously catalogues these items, highlighting the manuscript's blend of vernacular Middle English and scholarly Latin, which was designed for religious instruction.

Over half of the lyrics have not been previously printed, making this work an invaluable resource for scholars of Middle English literature and medieval religious studies. Wilson’s linguistic analysis situates the text within southwest Norfolk, providing critical insights into its provenance and dialect. The volume reveals how the Franciscan intellectual tradition influenced the content, with frequent references to biblical, classical, and patristic sources. This scholarly index is essential for those studying medieval English poetry, religious devotion, and the transmission of ecclesiastical knowledge in the vernacular during the late Middle Ages.