Genealogy and heraldry were subjects of great interest to William Cecil, Lord Burghley (1520-1598).
His father and grandfather had both served the Crown, but little was known of their earlier ancestry and this was much remarked upon by Cecil’s enemies at Court.
He was at pains to establish a long and illustrious line of forebears and this volume, beautifully illustrated with hand-coloured woodcuts and bearing his crest on the very fine binding, must have been frequently consulted.
The dedication is to William Cecil, Lord Burghley and Lord High Treasurer.
The binding is by J. Bossewell; the upper board pierced and mounted on green velvet, with the initials IDP in the border and the Cecil arms in the centre.
