Mathilda's father is never named, nor is Mathilda's surname given.

The name of the poet went through several changes: Welford, Lovel, Herbert, and finally Woodville.
The evidence for dating _Mathilda_ in the late summer and autumn of 1819 comes partly from the manuscript, partly from Mary's journal.

On the pages succeeding the portions of _The Fields of Fancy_ in the Bodleian notebook are some of Shelley's drafts of verse and prose, including parts of _Prometheus Unbound_ and of _Epipsychidion_, both in Italian, and of the preface to the latter in English, some prose fragments, and extended portions of the _Defence of Poetry_.

Written from the other end of the book are the _Ode to Naples_ and _The Witch of Atlas_.

Since these all belong to the years 1819, 1820, and 1821, it is probable that Mary finished her rough draft some time in 1819, and that when she had copied her story, Shelley took over the notebook.