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PREFACE.

It has been frequently and very justly remarked, that in this age of universal inquiry and unbounded literary speculation, the various branches of philosophy and erudition have been cultivated with a diligence and success unknown to any former period. But although it would be preposterous to dispute the accuracy of an opinion already so strikingly apparent, and which is daily rendered more evident by the frequency of discovery and the rapidity of improvement in every department of science, as well as by the unexampled excellence of the works of literature, which are continually issuing from the press; yet it cannot but be allowed by every intelligent observer, that the science of heraldry has not, in the present period, been cultivated with the same degree of earnestness as might naturally have been anticipated. Amidst the teeming fecundity of the press, and the accelerated progression of knowledge, no work on the subject of armory, commensurate with this state of things, has as yet appeared. A wish to supply this hiatus, by presenting to the public a compilation on heraldry worthy of this enlightened era, has stimulated the author to engage in the present arduous undertaking.

Heraldry, however, unlike most other sciences, from its principles having been for ages irrevocably established, precludes that diversity and latitude, in which those who are characterized by inventive power or brilliancy of imagination, love to range; and, therefore, to such it can present but few attractions. Its nature is unchangeable; and all that can possibly be effected by the labourer in this field of intellectual exertion, is to collect, re-arrange, and embody in a more luminous form, the existing, but insulated materials which are found scattered throughout the pages of preceding authors.

with the view of extending the utility of the work and rendering it as perfect as possible. To whom, for the promptitude and liberality of their communications, the author gratefully acknowledges himself under the strongest obligations; but regrets that he is unavoidably precluded, by their number, from thanking them individually.

In the Introduction is given a succinct, but comprehensive Inquiry into the Origin of Heraldry, with an Account of its Rise and Progress in England, and the various institutions connected therewith; the different Degrees of Nobility and Gentry; Rules of Precedency; Royal Arms of England, from Egbert the first Saxon king, to his present Majesty William the Fourth; Royal Arms of Emperors, Kingdoms, Sovereign and Independent States, Principalities, &c.; the several Orders of Knighthood, which have been instituted from the earliest to the present time, together with a description of their respective habits, collars, badges, mottos, &c. accompanied with engravings of their stars, badges, and collars; the Armorial Ensigns of Counties, Cities, Boroughs, Towns Corporate in England and Wales, and Royal Boroughs of Scotland; Abbeys, Monasteries, Deaneries, and Religious Houses, founded in England and Wales; Archiepiscopal and Episcopal Sees in England and Ireland, and those formerly established in Scotland; the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, with the several Colleges and Halls within the same; also Colleges and Hospitals, Inns of Court and Chancery, Societies, Bodies Corporate, and Trading Companies, established in London, Edinburgh, Bristol, Exeter, Chester, and Newcastle upon Tyne; an Essay on Funerals, &c.

In the next place is given an Alphabet of Arms, under their respective family names, either in the body of the work, or in the Appendix; and not only the whole of the peers and baronets now existing, with their christian names, their different titles, the dates of their births, the numbers and dates of succession, dates of creation, places of residence, and town houses; but also the whole of the English baronets that have been created since the first institution of that dignity, with their numbers and dates of creation; including, also, the arms of the baronets of Ireland and of Nova Scotia; a desideratum frequently attempted to be supplied, but never before accomplished. The arms of private families, from the introduction of heraldry into Britain, down to the present time; and the crests and mottos which were omitted in former works of this kind, so far as they could be obtained, have been inserted.

A complete Glossary of the terms used in heraldry, with explanatory engravings, the method of blazoning arms, together with every other information necessary to a thorough

The whole of the Mottos which occur in these volumes, amounting to upwards of seven thousand, with translations of the same, and annexed thereto the names of the families by whom they are borne, will be found arranged in their appropriate order; which, from the magnitude and completeness of the collection, the author flatters himself, constitutes no inconsiderable feature of the work.

A copious Appendix has been subjoined, containing the additions, corrections, and alterations, which have taken place since the former part of the work was printed, in order to bring it down to the present period. In fine, it has been the author's unceasing solicitude, not only to give every information on the subject, but so far to divest it of its complexity, as to render it intelligible to all.

Notwithstanding the great expense necessarily attending the publication of a work of such magnitude, as the one now offered to the public, with its numerous graphic accompaniments, and the incessant exertions bestowed upon it by the author during its progress through the press, he has not the temerity to think it entirely exempt from inaccuracies and omissions: such a consummation is neither to be expected nor attained: comparative superiority is all that he has attempted to achieve; and with what degree of ability and success his aim has been accomplished, it is not the province of the author, but of the public, to determine; and to their impartial decision, the BRITISH HERALD is now, with confident, but respectful deference, submitted.

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HERALDRY is not confined exclusively to the rules of coat armour, nor the honours which they specifically imply; but is also used as a characteristic for the proper arrangement and discrimination of the several degrees of rank and power, that have their basis in the feudal system. This science being particularly connected with the institutions of that system, a knowledge thereof is calculated to elucidate history, by representing to our view many of the customs peculiar to the early inhabitants of Europe. The variety of changes produced by the contingencies of time, have effected considerable alterations, with regard to the uses of heraldry.

The warlike habits of our illustrious ancestors, and the feats of prowess in which they delighted, are now become obsolete; but whilst the honours of ancestry form such proud distinguishments among mankind, the science of heraldry will ever be considered with the deepest interest. A retrospect will evidence its then extensive application, and shew the relative situation it holds with modern times.

In the middle ages, the bold and romantic adventures in search of fame, with which we are amply furnished by the history of the Crusaders, added to the pomp of chivalry, then at its acme, led farther to the advancement of heraldry as a science. Devices then became more general, and were transferred to more durable materials, appropriated to use as well as ornament. Applied as monumental, and placed over the dormitories of the dead, they commemorate the honours of the deceased. Many of our venerable Gothic piles still contain these relics, which, to the scientific and cultivated mind, are pleasing reminiscences of antiquity, and illustrations of family and national history.

System, the foundation of science, gradually operating on heraldry, has caused it to attain that interesting and useful form, which at present it possesses. It is rendered classical, and almost infinitely various in its forms, by the most scientific rules, which even extend themselves to the graphic arts. These regulations are particularly calculated to point out the different ranks and degrees of society, and preserve the necessary subordination among mankind. Ar

and are important marks of family dignity. The specific distinctions which point out the common device of the collateral branches of a family, have frequently proved serviceable in tracing genealogies, ascertaining consanguinity, and evincing right of inheritance, when lineal descendants were wanting. Thus it is apparent, that heraldry, as a science, still concentrates utility and interest in the highest degree; although its ancient customs and applications differ widely from modern times.

In the earlier ages, when Europe was emerging from a state of barbarism, and a general ignorance of written lan-morial ensigns aggrandize the bearer, represent his honours, guage prevailed, heraldic devices were designed to record the exploits of the noble and brave. These devices embellished the shield and vestment in war, and were also introduced amidst the appurtenances of grandeur and magnificence in the intervals of peace: they enriched the most splendid apparel, and formed decorations the most estimable to the dwellings of the great. In the hall of the fortified castle were displayed pensile against the spacious walls, the shields and helmets of its warrior lord; ornamented with these honourable trophies, which addressed the imagination in the most impressive manner, they acted as a memento of past achievements, and as a powerful stimulus to a performance of the like heroic actions.

The opinions of early historians and antiquarians, concerning the origin of heraldry, have been various. Some of the admirers of this once cultivated study, not finding indubitable proof when to date its rise, have been carried

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