The Visitations of Cornwall

[strictlysnoopy]

     Please can anyone tell me how accurate they are.


      Thank you

     

[KGarrad]

The purpose of Visitations (there were 3 in Cornwall) was to ascertain the validity of armorial bearings, and the pedigrees of those using the coats-of-arms.

The gentry and nobility had to provide proof of their right to use the arms.
But that doesn't mean that mistakes weren't made!

[strictlysnoopy]

     Thank you. I certainly learn something new every day with my family.


       Regards


      Suzanne

[goldie61]

If I remember correctly from looking at these in Derbyshire/Cheshire/Staffordshire, the families who wanted to be included in the visitations not only had to provide evidence, but had to pay a charge. Some of them objected to this, and therefore some who you might have thought would have information in there, weren't included.

[goldie61]

found what I was looking for.

This is from a letter by Fielding Best Fynney to the Gentleman Magazine in 1786.

Fynney Family their Right to bear Arms.

WHEN I was a boy I remember hearing my father say that his grandfather amongst others was applied to by the heralds at a visitation of the county of Stafford respecting their arms and that not only he but many others refused to pay the sums of money then imposed upon them as their families had borne arms unmolested for many centuries before

[strictlysnoopy]

    Thank you goldie61 for taking the time and effort to reply.

    Fascinating as to the origins of the visitations. Can see why some families refused to pay.   

        Regards

    Suzanne