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"A briefe discourse of the right use of giuinge armes, with the late abusis aboute that mattere and the beste meane by which they maie be reformid orderly;" being a treatise, in six chapters, against the right of heralds to grant arms on their own authority, late 16th century

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MS. Rawl. B. 56
Held at the Weston Library

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Written upon the appointment of the earl of Essex as marshal in 1597 (fols. 36, 35b, 44), by a grandson of Thomas Howard, fourth duke of Norfolk, who was restored to the office of earl marshal by Q. Mary in 1553, (fol. 16b), and apparently addressed to the former nobleman (fols. 42, 44b, 45).

Written very neatly, by an amanuensis, with corrections and marginal notes apparently in the handwriting of the author. Frequent reference is made to the MSS. of Bluemantle pursuivant, temp. Edw. IV.

Tit. chap. 1. "Of the institution and function of heralds, and the proues that make for them." and Tit. chap. vi. "The best meanes of reforming errors and abuses in this office and to cutt of the possibilitie of bringing in the like corruption hereafter."

Dates

  • Creation: late 16th century

Extent

45 Leaves

Language of Materials

  • English

Shelfmark

MS. Rawl. B. 56

Creator

Repository Details

Part of the Bodleian Libraries Repository

Contact:
Weston Library
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Oxford OX1 3BG United Kingdom