Résumé de Les nobles et gentilshommes d’Angleterre

À qui s’adresse-t-il ?

This book suits lovers of family history, heraldry, country houses and local lore, and anyone who enjoys finding the people behind an English place name.

De quoi parle ce livre ?

Which English families still live on land their ancestors held before 1500? Evelyn Philip Shirley sets out to answer that question, county by county, in a book of short family portraits.

He published it in 1859 and revised it twice. He lists families whose male line survives and who stood as knightly or gentle houses before the sixteenth century. Great names sit beside quiet squires such as the Kellys of Kelly. You get a map of the English countryside told through names, marriages and manors. First, you will see the strict rules Shirley sets for who may enter.

Questions about Les nobles et gentilshommes d’Angleterre

What is The Noble and Gentle Men of England about?

It is a county-by-county register of English landed families whose male lines survived, each established at knightly or gentle rank before 1500. Entries give seats, ancestors, branches and arms.

Which families does the book include?

It includes families that still exist and held knightly or gentle rank before the sixteenth century. Descent must run through the male line, and a family with no remaining estate is left out.

What do the coats of arms in each entry mean?

They are written in the language of heralds and show a family's identity. Many carry small stories of service, marriage or place, and variations from reign to reign mark branches.

When was the book written and is it reliable?

Shirley first published it in 1859 and added prefaces in 1860 and 1866. He relied on county histories and manuscripts and says plainly when a pedigree is doubtful.

Is the book easy to use?

Yes, in a practical sense. Entries are short and share one pattern, and counties run in alphabetical order, so you can start at any page and find a family at once.