Description

Immediate dispatch from Somerset. Number 21 of 300 copies. Nice older book in good condition. 1936. Pages in good condition. No notes or highlighting. See images. Fantastic book.

About the book >.>.> Four hundred and fifty years is no inconsiderable span of time even if measured in terms of the traditions and history of this ancient country. The Exhibition of which this book is a record was held in July 1934 to com- memorate the four hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the Charter by which King Richard III in 1484 incorporated his Royal Heralds. But it must not be supposed that the Kings Heralds and Pursuivants of Arms had no earlier origin than this. Heraldry in England can be traced back to about the middle of the twelfth century and although it is impossible to establish the actual names and official titles of the Kings of Arms and Heralds prior to the reign of Edward III it is known that not only the Sovereign but also the great Nobles numbered Heralds among their household officers. There can be little doubt that the supervision development and protection of Heraldry in general and of the Armorial Bearings of their masters in particular were from the first entrusted to these officers. The earliest record of the office of Marshal (later known as Earl Marshal) synchronises too with the earliest record of Arms and the association of the Heralds with the Earl Marshal may well render this coincidence of dates a factor in determining their probable antiquity. The Marshal was a military officer. Heraldry had its origin in the need for identification on the field of battle. (OS)