A Critical Inquiry Into Ancient Armour

Rare first edition of a great work of medieval European armor in three large format folio volumes. This is considered the earliest work to offer a historical perspective on medieval armor. Over 80 illustrations, engravings, hand-colored plates, and illuminated chapter initials throughout. The impressive overview reflects the collection of the author and his family as well as some drawn inspired from designs in illuminated manuscripts, ancient seals, sculpture, stained glass, and grave effigies spanning armor designs of the 11th to 17th centuries. The books include portraits of kings and knights and vignettes of medieval history scenes.

Sir Samuel Meyrick (1783-1848) was a lawyer, historian, antiquarian, and collector of armor and arms. He was elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries in 1810 and over the next decades, curated a large armory collection which was exhibited at Goodrich Court; many pieces from this impressive collection is now at home in the Victoria and Albert Museum, British Museum, and Wallace Collection in London. Meyrick was knighted in 1832 after service to the crown re-organizing the collections at Windsor Castle and the Tower of London.

With Carl Weeks’ interest in armory, this set is a parallel between his library and the impressive collection of art and antiquities that call Salisbury House and the original library collection home!