Lines of descent of various English families for two or three generations, with their coats of arms beautifully painted, shewing the differences of arms introduced and borne by members of the same families

Title

Lines of descent of various English families for two or three generations, with their coats of arms beautifully painted, shewing the differences of arms introduced and borne by members of the same families

Shelfmark

MS. Rawl. B. 135

Summary

Collected by Ralph Brooke, York herald, (whose name is written on the cover at the end,) in 1594, and dedicated to Charles, lord Howard of Effingham, one of the commissioners for the office of earl marshal.

On the first leaf is an explanatory title or introduction, commencing thus: "This book is collected and made onlye to shewe the alteracon and differences of armes, in formere tyme borne and vsed of the nobilitie of this realme; For proufe, it was usuall that if a baron or peare of this realme had maryed wt an inheritrix of a greater house then his owne, he or his sonne would leave their owne armes and bear their wyffe or mothers as his cheife coate. Lykewise a yonger brother hauing maryed wt an enheritrix by whom he was aduansed to greater dignitie then his elder brother, dyd vse his wyfes coate (rather) then to beare his owne wt dyfference."

At the end are:

(fol. 88) Twelve coats of "basterds of noblemen."

(fol. 90) Sixteen coats of "byshopes descended of noble houses."

An index.

(Lying loose in the volume, fols. 94–105) One hundred and sixteen coats, undescribed.

Date

1594

Language

English

Physical facet

On paper, in folio

Physical extent

105 Leaves