Items
Details
Title
Alphabet of arms, ca. 1603-1615 [manuscript].
Description
29 cm
Associated name
Raven, John, -1613, author.
Note
From dealer's description: "In the early modern period, an Alphabet of Arms was the touchstone for the herald - the arbiter of the upper echelons of society. This monolithic volume preserves in its pages the jewel-like images of the precious heraldic crests that represent one’s place in the edifice of social hierarchy. Yet it is also a dynamic object in the way it provides foundations for change; a herald could usher new families into the ranks of the heraldic elite by checking their name in his Alphabet, identifying the crest of a similar name, and then “differencing” it to create a new one. New grantees were thereby given credibility through the visual association with long-standing holders, each supporting the other on the shifting structures of society. This monumental example of an early Alphabet depicts, in exquisite detail, the arms of over 7,000 armigerous families and represents a high-water mark in heraldic illustration. It is a work of breathtaking scope and dedication; armorial alphabets were, and authors often died before their completion. This manuscript perfectly exemplifies this property. The herald, John Raven has painted the entire alphabet by hand and partially completed entering the family names in ink before presumably his death, whereupon it was completed in a second, contemporary hand. The dedication implicit in the enormous undertaking of this volume is testament to its significance. It appears that Raven considered the project important enough to dedicate many years of his life to it, indeed more years than he had left to live. This devotional quality is manifest in the great detail and colouring lavished on each shield, akin to works of religious illumination. As such it demonstrates a motivation beyond mere personal gratification, one which considers the project to have a larger, humanitarian value. This significance is also evident in its size; a book this large cannot fail to command respect and this underlines the high regard of its subject matter. As a historical artefact, these features attest to the reverence afforded to genealogy, and, as such, reflect an essential part of 17th century English culture in a manner that is perhaps unique. That certain families required such skilful, almost devotional documentation is evidence of their perceived importance and as such reflects the deeply ingrained social stratification of English society. As rigid as this can appear, the evidence of “differencing” and the inclusion of newer crests reveals a slightly more fluid reality. It also reinforces the value contemporary families placed on the opportunity to gain arms and is thus evocative of relentless social climbing. This work also suggests a somewhat self-affirming quality to heraldry. Considering that this manuscript would only have been used by those already heavily invested in the class structure underpinned by heraldry, the reverence with which the subject is treated takes on another dimension, one which might be reassuring to its users. As an entirely hand-coloured alphabet of arms, this artefact is extremely rare. It is compelling in its scope and beauty, even before the great significance of its social and historical implications are considered. It is a peerless artefact which embodies the principles of heraldry and its claim upon the minds of its beholders. The paper is watermarked with grapes mark. Several folios bear a more complex grapes mark which closely resembles Haewood 2137, which he dates to 1607."
This is a PRELIMINARY RECORD. It may contain incorrect information. The "FAST ACC" number is a temporary call number. Please email catalog@folger.edu for assistance.
This is a PRELIMINARY RECORD. It may contain incorrect information. The "FAST ACC" number is a temporary call number. Please email catalog@folger.edu for assistance.
Provenance
"1. Bookplate of Thomas Weld 1750-1810) of Lulworth Castle, Dorset. Son of Sir Edward Weld (1705-61) and Mary Theresa Vaughan (d. 1754). He married pre 1773 Mary, daughter to Sir John Stanley (1711-94) and Mary Clifton (d. 1770). The shield impales the Weld arms with those of Stanley. This manuscript may have come out of one of the Lulworth Castle sales which took place in the 1920s and later or may have been sold privately. 2. Bookplate of Edward Mars Elmhurst, an avid and discerning collector of very fine manuscripts. The previous owner acquired this Alphabet privately from one of the most reputable collectors of heraldic manuscripts in the mid-20th century. The author has been identified as John Raven by comparing the hand to that of the Visitation of Norfolk 1612-13. (C.A. Ms. C. 15). It is an elegant secretary hand which has distinctive features common to both manuscripts. Raven was an officer of arms of great skill, he was appointed Rouge Dragon Pursuivant in 1588 and Richmond Herald in 1597. He married Ann Parkes, also of Hadley, and together they had 7 sons and 2 daughters before his death in 1615. John Raven was an officer of arms of great skill. Sir Gilbert Dethick says of him in 1597 that he had been 8 years Rouge Dragon Pursuivant but that he was of more than 20 years experience in office; that he had much knowledge of Latin and understood some French. William Camden, Clarenceux, employed him much as his deputy or marshal in Visitations and he later visited, alone, Suffolk in 1612, Norfolk in 1613, and Essex in 1615. He married Ann Parkes, daughter of Thomas Parkes of Hadley by whom he had 7 sons and 2 daughters. He was appointed Rouge Dragon in 1588 and Richmond Herald in 1597. Raven’s fine Alphabet comprises 7,115 shields on 356 pages, with good margins, each page ruled in the grid system. He has completed the painting of the shields before returning to the beginning and captioning letters A-L with the family names. He appears to have died before completion, and captions M-Z were captioned in an unidentified contemporary hand. A few further annotations are also added to the earlier part. With thanks to Dr Robert Colley for his invaluable researches into this manuscript."
Item Details
Call number
FAST ACC 271300
Folger-specific note
Purchase made possible by The Eric and Mary Weinmann Acquisitions Fund. Ordered from Dean Cooke, D9305, 2019-05-24, Cat. "A Battersea bibliolater", 2019, item 13.
Folger accession
271300