The Handbook to English Heraldry

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Handbook to English Heraldry, by Charles Boutell

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Title: The Handbook to English Heraldry
Author: Charles Boutell
Editor: A. C. Fox-Davies
Illustrator: R. B. Utting
Release Date: October 24, 2007 [EBook #23186]
Language: NU
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[Illustration: Seal of Sir RICHARD DE BEAUCHAMP, K.G., Fifth Earl of WARWICK: died A.D. 1439. No. 448. --See pages 208, 321.]
[Illustration: Seal of Sir THOMAS DE BEAUCHAMP, K.G., Third Earl of WARWICK: died A.D. 1369. Date of the Seal, 1344. No. 446. --See No. 447, page 320, also see page 321.]

"To describe ... emblazoned Shields." --MILTON
THE HANDBOOK TO ENGLISH HERALDRY
by
CHARLES BOUTELL, M.A.
Author of "The Monumental Brasses of England," Editor and Part Author of "Arms and Armour in Antiquity and The Middle Ages," etc.
with
NEARLY FIVE HUNDRED ILLUSTRATIONS Drawn and Engraved on Wood by Mr. R. B. UTTING and Others
ELEVENTH EDITION
Thoroughly Revised with an Additional Chapter by A. C. FOX-DAVIES of Lincoln's Inn Barrister-At-Law
[Illustration: ROYAL ARMS (1340-1405)]
LONDON: REEVES & TURNER 1914

Printed by BALLANTYNE, HANSON & CO. at the Ballantyne Press, Edinburgh

PREFACE
TO THE ELEVENTH EDITION
This standard work of reference has been revised throughout, and enlarged by the addition of an extra chapter on Peerage Dignities.
A. C. FOX-DAVIES.
LINCOLN'S INN, November 1913.

PREFACE
TO THE TENTH EDITION
In the revision of this well-known work I have held my hand, rather than the contrary, trying to bear always in mind that it was the hand-book of Mr. Charles Boutell and not a production of my own. My alterations have been concerned chiefly in bringing the volume up to date, a?necessity imposed by the creation of new orders of knighthood, and change of Sovereign. I?have certainly omitted a few remarks which I have thought might be the cause of leading students of the science astray: I?have altered ambiguous wording to emphasise the real, and I have no doubt the originally intended meaning. But in many points which, being deductions, are naturally matters of opinion, I?have left herein various expressions of Mr. Boutell's opinion, with which I can hardly say I personally altogether agree or would myself put forward. I?hold that it is no part of an editor's duty to air his own opinions under the protection or repute of another's name, and herein I have inserted nothing for which my own opinion is the only authority.
A. C. FOX-DAVIES.
LINCOLN'S INN, June 1908.

[Illustration: No. 2.--St. Edward. No. 1.--St. George. No. 3.--St. Edmund.]

AUTHOR'S PREFACE
This Volume, specially prepared for the use of students at an early period of their study of English Heraldry, commends itself also to those inquirers who may desire to obtain some general information on the same subject, without having any intention to devote to Heraldry much either of their time or of their serious regard.
The success, no less extraordinary than gratifying, of my larger work on Heraldry, led me to hope that a not less favourable reception might be extended to a simpler and much shorter essay, more decidedly elementary in its aim and character, and yet as far as possible within its limits complete. Such a treatise I have endeavoured to produce in this Volume.
Inseparably associated with the History of our Country, and more particularly when our national History becomes the Biography of eminent Englishmen, English Heraldry has the strongest claims upon the attention not only of all Historians, but also of all who desire to become familiar with their writings. In like manner, Heraldry may be studied with no less of advantage than of satisfaction by all Artists, whether Architects, Sculptors, Painters, or Engravers. Nor is it too much to assert that some knowledge of Heraldry, in consequence of its singular and comprehensive utility, ought to be estimated as a necessary element of a liberal education. In confirmation of my own views, I?am tempted to quote the following passage from M. GOURDON DE GENOUILLAC'S introduction to his excellent "Grammaire Héraldique," published at Paris:-- "Le blason," says M. de Genouillac, "est une langue qui s'est conservée dans sa pureté primitive depuis les siècles, langue dont la connaissance, est indispensable aux familles nobles, qui y trouvent un signe d'alliance ou de reconnaissance, aux numismates, aux antiquaires, aux archéologues, enfin à tous les artistes, gens de lettres, &c.; cependant cette langue est presque inconnue, et la plupart des personnes qui possedent le droit de porter des armoiries seraient fort en peine de les expliquer selon les termes techniques!" Heraldry, indeed, I?believe to be a study worthy to be universally regarded with affectionate