The register opens with the Church very much on the defensive, apparently against the attacks of laymen and secular authorities on its position and possessions. This is strikingly shown by the confederation of the whole Irish hierarchy for mutual preservation in 1291. This is much before the time of Primate Swayne and has probably been entered for a memorial. The same fear is manifested in the preface to the papal union of the sees of Cork and Cloyne in 1383, where the Pope states that he is acting on previous representations from the Kings of England that the Irish cathedrals are individually so weak that they cannot defend their rights against encroachment. The next entry but one in date is a long and valuable copy of provincial constitutions made mostly during Archbishop Colton's tenure of the see (1383-1389). These contain many provisions against oppressors of the Church or confiscators of its property.

They also give the first evidence of the internal state of the Church, for instance, the difficulties of enforcing clerical celibacy or faithful attention to episcopal duties, the discouragement of popular superstitions and tumultuous amusements. It is noteworthy also that these constitutions contain directions for the veneration of the peculiarly Irish saints such as Patrick, Bridget and Columbkill, and (for ARMAGH Diocese only) Feghin and Ronanus.

The Council of Constance now begins to appear in the entries. The main interest of this part of the register arises from the broils between the English nation at that council and a section of the French nation, led apparently by Pierre D'Ailly, Cardinal of Cambrai, and supported by the Spanish nation. This came to a climax on 5th November 1416, when the Spanish representatives disclaimed any acceptance of the English claim to act as a nation. This led to a tumult. Under date 30 October 1417, there is a detailed account of proceedings at Armagh Cathedral for the election of a new archbishop. Richard Talbot, who had been elected, had not secured confirmation within the legal period and had since become Archbishop of Dublin. The choice of the assembled clergy fell on Robert Fitzhugh, Rector of Finglas, but apparently he too was not confirmed in the office. About 1428 Primate Swayne's enemies appear to have lodged a complaint against him with Pope Martin V, and there is an interesting letter from the Archbishop to the Pope introducing John Prene, afterwards his successor, who had been sent to represent his cause at Rome.

The troubled state of Ireland generally at this time is shown by two long letters in English: one is written to James Butler, Earl of Ormond, and the other to an unnamed "Prince", most probably Richard, Duke of York. .

The Armagh Registers [PRONI], 1361-1543, 1678-1719 and 1878-1943. The [early] Armagh Registers are a series of seven volumes traditionally known as the Registers of Sweteman, Fleming, Swayne, Prene, Mey, Octavian and Cromer. All the manuscripts (except the Register of Cromer) are prefaced by an index in a hand of the 17th century. The Register of Octavian includes material on the primacy of John Bole, Archbishop of Armagh, 1457-1471, and a collection of documents from Swayne's primacy. The Register of Dowdall gives information on the promotion of John Long to the archbishopric in 1584. The dates (provision and death or resignation) of the archbishops mentioned are as follows:

Milo Sweteman	1361-1380
Nicholas Fleming	1404-1416
John Swayne	1418-1439
John Prene	1439-1443
John Mey	1443-1456
Octavian de Palatio	1478-1513
George Cromer	1521-1543