A Summary View of Heraldry in Reference to the Usages of Chivalry and the General Economy of the Feudal System [ . . .]

Brydson, Thomas

Published by Printed by Mundell & Son, Edinbrugh, 1795

Rear board detached. Spine cloth brittle with chips and many tears. Lacking front free endpaper. Text block generally in good condition, some dampstains to preliminary leaves, moderate foxing. Ex-libris bookplate, Frank G. Glen.; xvi, 319, [1 (blank)] pages. 19th century cloth boards, rear board detached. Page dimensions: 244 x 148mm. Title continues: with An Appendix respecting such Distinctions of Rank as have place in The British Constitution". Engraved title page. No illustrations. Includes list of subscribers. "When Christianity banished Odin, Thor, Frea, and the other gods and goddesses, who held supreme dominion over the Gothic world, the Romancers, anxious to display the marvellous powers of their heroes, the knights-errant, retained all the Giants, Enchanters, Fairies, and Dwarfs, together with many Hideous Serpents, Dragons, Griffins, and other Formidable Monsters. It is impossible to describe the complicated distress in which this involved the fairer part of the creation; of which, many were shut up in enchanted caastles belonging to sorcerers, and guarded by one or more of those furious dwarfs, giants, griffins or dragons. But they were delivered by the astonishing achievements of the knights, and their sufferings in some measure compensated by the constant adoration of those conquerors; to whom, also, heraldry is indebted for the many trophies it obtained by this hazardous warfare. As often, therefore, as heraldry exhibits Dragons, Griffins, Wiverns, and Tigers or Wolves, which, like the wolf, sprung from Loke, chief of the Evil Genii, have flames of fire issuing out of their mouths, ears, and nostrils, their appearance sufficiently bespeaks the region of which they are indigenous. Heraldry employs form and colour, to heighten the representations of romance, like the scenery and exhibitions of the drama. During the reign of chivalry, attendants at the tournament, watching the pendent shields, to see who should give the challenge, by touching them with a spear, or other weapon, appeared, according to Menestrier, under the form of griffins, tigers, bears, and lions; others represented dwarfs, savages, and giants. Hence were so many of that class of armorial figures termed Supporters, selected from the machinery of romance." - pages 90-92. Seller Inventory # 27080

Bibliographic Details

Title: A Summary View of Heraldry in Reference to ...
Publisher: Printed by Mundell & Son, Edinbrugh
Publication Date: 1795
Binding: Disbound
Condition: Poor
Dust Jacket Condition: No Dust Jacket
Edition: First Edition.