A wide rectangular woodcut headpiece features floral and foliate scrollwork. It displays a central thistle motif flanked by a crowned lion on the left and a unicorn on the right—representing the royal arms of the United Kingdom—each holding a decorative element or shield containing a thistle and a rose respectively.

TO THE MOST ILLUSTRIOUS AND EXCELLENT PRINCE

CHARLES,

PRINCE OF WALES,

Duke of Cornwall, Earl of

CHESTER, etc.

Most Excellent Prince,

A decorative woodcut initial letter 'V' features a miniature scene of a king seated on a throne being presented with a book or document by a kneeling figure, likely representing the author presenting this very work to the Prince.

In order that I might in part acknowledge the infinite debt original: "Debitum infinitum" by which I am bound to your Highness original: "Celsitudini vestræ", I have endeavored to show honor to the memory of that King of England who was the last among the progenitors of the King your father referring to King James I and of yourself: to which King Henry VII both Unions term: "Unio" (Union). Bacon refers here to the "Union of the Roses" (the houses of Lancaster and York) achieved by Henry VII, which paved the way for the later "Union of the Crowns" (England and Scotland) under the Stuarts. in a certain way