This image shows Oxford University’s coat of arms displayed on a ceiling boss in the Divinity School at the Bodleian Library, looking up from the floor. A ceiling boss (also called a roof boss or ceiling pendant) is an ornamental projection at the intersection of ribs in a vault or ceiling.

The Divinity School, completed in 1483, is renowned for its elaborate lierne (network of decorative ribs) vaulted ceiling with 455 bosses. These bosses are decorative keystones placed at the junction points of the stone ribs that form the ceiling’s vaulting pattern. Each boss is intricately carved, often featuring heraldic devices, religious symbols, or decorative motifs.

This particular boss displays the University of Oxford’s arms with the three crowns and open book bearing the motto “DOMINUS ILLUMINATIO MEA” (“The Lord is my light”). The stone carving surrounding the painted shield features medieval faces or masks, which is typical of Gothic ornamental stonework.

The Divinity School is significant as Oxford’s oldest teaching and examination room, and its spectacular fan-vaulted ceiling is considered one of the masterpieces of English Gothic architecture. The ceiling bosses represent benefactors, royal patrons, and university symbols, creating a visual record of the institution’s history and connections

Images. Photograph. Ceiling boss displaying the University of Oxford’s arms with the three crowns and open book bearing the motto “DOMINUS ILLUMINATIO MEA” (“The Lord is my light”). 11 November 2021. Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, United Kingdom. Phyllis Zumwalt, photographer. Private collection.

Description generated using Claude AI, https://claude.ai/.

Heraldry Resources, Tools, and Books

Why is heraldry important?

People in the Middle Ages were the first to create symbols to differentiate one family by surname (and even within the male heirs of a family) from another, usually those in nobility. They would create armorials (rolls of arms), crests, shields, seals, and coats of arms, which are commonly associated with a clan. Women could also be identified through “marshaled” arms – the combination of arms to resemble marriage allegiances. Another two sources for the study of medieval genealogy are visitations (when Heralds visited the existing owners of arms (mostly England, but also Wales and Ireland)), and peerage and landed gentry sources (books which include details of arms).

The study of medieval genealogy is quite different from newer research techniques. For example, one might focus on the “language” used to describe called “blazoning” the arms, or researching pedigrees. The information below will provide a glimpse into the resources, tools, and books available to help identify individuals and families. Individuals as well as corporations or governing bodies can apply for arms.

For Scotland, the control of coats of arms (and all related symbols) is strictly enforced as a legality. Proof of descent is required in determining the right to display and claim arms, which must be registered with the ‘Public Register of All Armorial Bearings in Scotland’. A person could apply for a new grant of arms through the Court of the Lord Lyon, if they qualify.

The College of Arms, which pertains to Northern Ireland (as part of the UK), is less restrictive for applying for a coat of arms, but pertains to those males who descend from someone with arms. Check their genealogical research page.

In Ireland, the Office of the Chief Herald is responsible for applications for granting arms. In Ireland, the requirement for ‘A Confirmation of Arms’ is that a male descendant show that the family had used arms for three or more generations in their family.

Tutorials, exercises, resources, and tips:

• The Court of the Lord Lyon. Blazoning a Coat of Arms.
• The Court of the Lord Lyon. Online Education for Heraldry.
• The Heraldry Society of Scotland. The Mitchell Rolls and Image Gallery.
• ScotlandsPeople. Coats of Arms.

Online Books and Websites:

• Anonymous (19–?) The manual of heraldry. 5th ed. London: Arthur Hall, Virtue & Co. Online as The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Manual of Heraldry; Fifth Edition.
• Barden, Patrick. (1989) Heraldic design: the basic principles. Double Tressure.
  
• Boutell, Charles. (1864) Heraldry, historical and popular. 3rd ed. London: Bentley.
• Burke’s Peerage.
• Burke, John Bernard. (1884) The general armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales; comprising a registry of armorial bearings from the earliest to the present time. London: Burke’s Peerage. [reprinted London: Harrison, 2005].
• Fox-Davies, Arthur Charles. (1909) A complete guide to heraldry. London: T.C. and E.C. Jack.
• Fox-Davies, Arthur Charles. (1904) The art of heraldry: an encyclopedia of armory. London: T.C. and E.C. Jack.
• Macdonald, William Rae. (1904) Scottish armorial seals. Edinburgh: W. Green.
• Scots Peerage.
• Stodart, Robert Riddle. (1881) Scottish arms: being a collection of armorial bearings, A.D. 1370-1678, reproduced in facsimile from contemporary manuscripts, with heraldic and genealogical notes. Edinburgh: W. Paterson. http://www.archive.org/details/scottisharmsbein01stoduoft  (vol. 1: illus.), http://www.archive.org/details/scottisharmsbein02stoduoft (vol. 2: text).
• Wade, W. Cecil. (1898) The symbolisms of heraldry. London: George Redway.

Physical Books

Chambers, Paul. (2005) Medieval Genealogy: How to Find Your Medieval Ancestors. Stroud: Sutton Publishing. ISBN: 978-0750936873.

This image shows a heraldic coat of arms and commemorative plaque for William Herbert, Earl of Pembroke, located at the Bodleian Library in Oxford. Specifically, this appears to be on the exterior wall of the Old Bodleian Library building (also known as the Old Schools Quadrangle or Old Bodley).

The Latin inscription identifies “GVIL HERBERT” (William Herbert) as “PEMBROCHIÆ COMES” (Earl of Pembroke), “REGII HOSPITII CAMERARIUS” (Chamberlain of the Royal Household), “HONORATISSIMUS ACADEMIÆ CANCELLARIUS” (Most Honorable Chancellor of the University).

William Herbert, 3rd Earl of Pembroke (1580-1630), was a notable patron of the arts and served as Chancellor of the University of Oxford from 1617 until his death. The motto visible at the bottom of the coat of arms appears to be “UNG JE SERVIRAY” (“One will I serve”).

This decorative element is part of the historic architecture of the Bodleian Library, one of the oldest libraries in Europe and Oxford University’s main research library.

Images. Photograph. Heraldic coat of arms and commemorative plaque for William Herbert, Earl of Pembroke, located at the Bodleian Library in Oxford. 7 November 2018. Leeds, Kent, England, United Kingdom. Phyllis Zumwalt, photographer. Private collection.

Description generated using Claude AI, https://claude.ai/.

Paleography Resources, Tools, and Books

Why is paleography important? Records prior to the 1800s had variations of writing scripts which may still be found in the records we search. The use of Latin and other terms not in use today was common. Learning about paleography through the resources below will help as you research and learn more about ancestors’ documents.

Tutorials, Exercises, and Tips

Physical Books

• Marshall, Hilary. (2010) Paleography for Family and Local Historians. Cheltenham, Gloucestershire: The History Press Publishing. ISBN: 978-1860776519.
• Durie, Bruce. (2013) Understanding documents for genealogy & local history. Stroud: The History Press. ISBN: 978-0752464640.
• Stewart, Denis. (2006) Latin for local and family historians. Stroud: The History Press. ISBN: 978-1860773853.

Online Resources

• Dictionary of the Scots Language. 
• Martin, Charles Trice. (1910) The record interpreter: a collection of abbreviations, Latin words and names used in English historical manuscripts and records. 2nd ed. London: Stevens and Sons. 
• Zurcher, Andrew. English handwriting 1500-1700.