Discourse and Defence of Arms and Armory, Edward Waterhouse – 1660 | First Edition Heraldry

Edward Waterhouse was a 17th-century English writer who wrote numerous works on English heraldry, arms, and nobility. Perhaps his best and most popular work was A Discourse and Defense of Arms and Armory. In this book, Waterhouse describes medieval English knighthood and knights, noble houses, swords and shields, and even a knight’s selection of horses.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: A discourse and defence of arms and armory,: shewing the nature and rises of arms and honour in England, from the camp, the court, the city: under the two later of which, are contained universities and inns of court
• Author(s): Edward Waterhouse
• Publisher: London: Printed by T.R. for Samuel Mearne in Little Britain
• Edition: First edition, 1660
• Format: (12mo), single volume
• Binding: Full leather
• Size:  7 in x 4.5 in (18 cm x 11.5 cm)
• Collation: [8], 232 pp.
• Illustrations: Engraved frontispiece coat of arms
• Contents Include:
  • Heraldic traditions of England
  • Noble houses and martial symbols
  • Universities and inns of court in relation to honor
• Reference(s): Wing W 1044

Condition:

Very Good. Full leather binding, tight and secure, with reinforced joints and no loss. Minimal rubbing to the leather. Pages are clean with light toning consistent with age. The engraved frontispiece is well preserved.

Why Collect This?

• 1660 first edition of heraldic study.
• Features engraved coat of arms frontispiece
• Restoration-era perspective on arms and honor

Item Number: # 29382