Trinity Hall : Arms of the sovereigns and leading nobles of England

Trinity Hall

<p style='text-align: justify;'>This armorial manuscript was completed around 1599. It is written in a single hand, containing a genealogy of the rulers of England from the legendary Brutus of Troy, known in medieval times as the founder and first king of Britain, to King Henry VII (1457-1509). The text contains concise biographical entries for each figure and is illustrated with 453 ink-drawn coats of arms, each accompanied by identifying descriptions.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>The manuscript is arranged chronologically. Individuals of noble rank—dukes, earls, viscounts, and barons—are grouped under the monarch who conferred their titles.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>The work was likely created by someone with a personal interest in heraldry, possibly with a focus on a specific region or lineage. Two pencil drawings at the end of the manuscript are coats of arms of families from Southwest England, perhaps pointing to a particular interest by a former owner.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>The manuscript was bequeathed by George Edward Larman (1895-1961) who was a former student at Trinity Hall. He purchased the manuscript in 1952 from Thomas Godfrey, bookseller, of Stonegate, York.</p>