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England Heraldry: Difference between revisions
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Once granted, the arms adorned the knight's horsecloth, blanket, banner and any thing else of value. One of the most important reasons for many of the items above was to be able to identify friend or foe at a distance. | Once granted, the arms adorned the knight's horsecloth, blanket, banner and any thing else of value. One of the most important reasons for many of the items above was to be able to identify friend or foe at a distance. | ||
=== | === Herald's Visitations === | ||
In the 16th and 17th centuries, heralds visited all parts of England to discover who was using coats of arms and the title of Gentleman, Esquire, or Knight. They asked for proof of the right to use such coats of arms or titles. These proofs often included documentation of male descent from the original grantee. Heraldic visitations are records of these visits (see [[England Nobility]]). Most visitations focus on the male heir's descendants, but often include descents of siblings. Information in Visitations can be very useful in tracing ancestors once a connection to a landed family is verified | In the 16th and 17th centuries, heralds visited all parts of England to discover who was using coats of arms and the title of Gentleman, Esquire, or Knight. They asked for proof of the right to use such coats of arms or titles. These proofs often included documentation of male descent from the original grantee. Heraldic visitations are records of these visits (see [[England Nobility]]). Most visitations focus on the male heir's descendants, but often include descents of siblings. Information in Visitations can be very useful in tracing ancestors once a connection to a landed family is verified. | ||
<center>Table 1. Years of Visitations in Each English County</center> | The website [http://www.medievalgenealogy.org.uk/sources/visitations.shtml Some Notes on English Medieval Genealogy] maintains an extensive lists of digitised visitations. | ||
The [http://www.achievements.co.uk/family_tree_names/armigerous_ancestors_database.html Armigerous Ancestors Database] at the Achievements website is a surname index to herald's visitations compiled by Cecil Humphery-Smith. | |||
<center>Table 1. Years of Visitations in Each English County in Existence</center> | |||
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