Preface-The principal part of the present volume consists of a transcript of two almost identical manuscripts in the British Museum numbered 1424 and 1505 in the Harleian Collection. In the Official Catalogue of the Harleian Manuscripts, printed, in folio, in the year 1808, they are thus described:—"1424." An Heraldical Book in fol. seeming to have been written & tricked by M r John Saunders the Paynter-Stayner, while he was yet a young man. It relateth wholly to the County Palatine of Chester, as containing," 1. Arms of the King of England impaling those of the Earl of Chester ; under which is a trick of the Great Sword of Chester, nor like to that old one in the Cottonian Library ; with the Arms of the eight Barons of Chester placed on the right & left sides, so as to make a sort of Frontispiece to the Book." 2. Badge of the Prince of Wales in a Glory; with his Arms & those of the Duchy of Cornwal & Earldom of Chester, below. On the backside of the Frontispiece." 3. Brevis Abstract. Cronice Coraitum Comitates Palatini Cestrife, a per-quisieione ejusdem per Hugonem Lupuni sive Wulf, Willelrni Conquestoris nepotem; cum singulorimi Insignibus. [folio] 1." 4. The Genealogy of the Earles of Chester. 2." 5. Descent of the Lacies &c. Constables of Chester. 2 b." 6. Extract from the Book of Domesday; touching Cester-scire. 5." 7. Recensio Terras Tenendum in Com. Cestr. e Libro Rubeo in Scaccario, &c.6 b." 8. The names of all and singular Knights, Esquires, Gentlemen, & Freeholders in Com. Cestrise, a.d. 1579, & 1580. 7." 9. A Copy of the Visitation book of the County of Chester, as the same was taken a.d. 1580, by Robert Glover Somerset-Herald, for William Flower, Norroy; wherein the Pedigrees are all entered in alphabetical Order, according to the Surnames of the respective Families. 12 b." In this Copy are many Continuations of Descents; as also Tricks of many old private Seals ; and Copies or Extracts from old Deeds." Among which, I find," 10. Deeds & Seals relating to Bromley. 28 b." 11. Collections from the Evidences of Sir Rafe Egerton of Wormehill. 87." 12. Collections from the Charters of Richard son of Richard Ligh of High-Ligh of the West-Hall, Esq. 85 b."13. A Deed in French containing the Award of Sir Hugh de Calveleghe, Sir John de Barley, Sir John Devereux, Sir Brian de Stapleton, & Rauf de Statham Esq.; touching the Arms claimed by two Gentlemen of the name of Massey, dat. 14 Nov. 2 Rich. II. 100." 14. Determination of Thomas Stanley Earl of Derby, & Constable of England; touching the Arms to be born by Sir Thomas of Ashton, & Sir Piers a Leigh ; dated on Holy-Rode day in May, the 11th year of K. Hen. VII. 88." N.B.—That the Feast of the Inventio S. Crucis was held the 3 of May; but the Esaltatio, on the 14 of September." 15. Ex Cartis et Evidence's Johanuis Savage Militia. 123." Among these, is a Transcript of a Deed in French ; whereby Margarcta que fut la feme de Jeen Savage fille et hoir a Thomas Darners Chevalier, grants her Arms to her son John Savage & his heirs, for ever." 16. Boner's Pedegree: or the Descent of Edmund Boner Bishop of London, sett down at large. 134."" 1505." An Heraldical Book in fol. wherein is contained a Copie of that Visitation-book which was made for the County-Palatine of Chester a.d. 1580, by Robert Glover Somerset-Herald, Marshal and Deputy to William Flower Norry his father in law." This Copie was made by that person who made the Book No. 1424, and perhaps from it. The Arms are better tricked in No. 1424 than in this, which hath also more faults than that."There being nothing to be said by me touching^ the Contents of this Copy, but what hath been mentioned of the other already ; I shall forbear to repeat the same here ; making only this Remark, that since both these Books were written, some few Additions have been entred into each of them, by their respective Owners, unknown to one another; which are therefore wanting in...
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