Original double-sided illustrated leaf from the 1638 London edition of John Guillim's A Display of Heraldry, an important seventeenth-century English reference work on heraldry, coats of arms, and armorial symbolism.
John Guillim (1565–1621) first published his influential heraldic treatise in 1610. This original leaf comprises pages 339–340 and features five substantial heraldic shield woodcuts depicting swords, a curved sword, lances, and other military emblems.
Page 339: Features two illustrated coats of arms. The first displays three horizontal swords associated with the Rawlyns family. The second depicts a cross between four swords, associated with Sir John Philpot, Lord Mayor of London. The accompanying account describes Philpot's remarkable expedition in 1378, when he financed a fleet to combat pirates threatening English merchant shipping. The text also discusses medieval English history, military honor, and the symbolic significance of swords.
Page 340: Features three additional heraldic shields, including a curved sword or cutlass associated with the Tatnall family of Cheshire, three lances associated with the Carlowe family, and the arms of William Watson, incorporating crossed lances. The accompanying discussion explores Roman military customs, the declaration of war, and the symbolism of weapons in heraldry.
The leaf is particularly attractive for its concentration of five military-themed heraldic illustrations, representing several distinct forms of historical weaponry.
An original seventeenth-century printed book leaf from the reign of Charles I, not a modern reproduction.
Condition: Original detached leaf with age toning, scattered foxing and spotting, marginal discoloration, and edge wear. Noticeable brown staining along the left side of page 340, with additional spotting and staining elsewhere. Small marginal tears and irregularities, including binding remnants. All five heraldic illustrations remain clearly visible and the text is substantially legible. Please examine photographs.
John Guillim, Display of Heraldry, 1638 London, English heraldry, military heraldry, medieval swords, scimitar, cutlass, spears, lances, crossed weapons, Sir John Philpot, Lord Mayor London, 1378 pirates, Rawlyns, Tatnall, Carlowe, William Watson, heraldic woodcuts, coat of arms, English genealogy, Stuart England, Charles I, seventeenth century book leaf.