Meyrick, Samuel Rush. “John Duke of Somerset A.D. 1444.” Plate XLIX

Samuel Rush Meyrick.  Plate XLIX.  “John Duke of Somerset A.D. 1444.”  From A Critical Inquiry into Antient Armour. 

London: Henry G. Bohn, ca. 1830. 14 1/2 x 10 1/4 (paper size).  Aquatint.  Full original hand color.  Full margins.  Very good condition. 

A splendidly colored series of prints showing ancient armor from the period of the Norman Conquest up to the reign of King Charles II.  The emphasis is on British armor, and many different forms and styles are shown, each as worn by a historic personage. Meyrick (1783-1848) was interested in being historically accurate, and thus each drawing is rendered with careful precision, illustrating all aspects of the armor and weapons.  Besides the concern for accuracy, the aesthetic aspects of the prints were also important, as is especially evident with the hand coloring, which is wonderfully done.  These are altogether delightful prints.

Click the links below to view others from this series:

"Sir John Cornwall. Lord Fanhope"

"A Knight Armed for the Bond"

"Maximilian 1st. Emperor of Germany"

“Sir John Arsich A.D. 1384.” 

“Richd. De Vere, Earl of Oxford A.D. 1416.”

“A Knight of the Birmingham Family A.D. 1420.”

“Thomas Montacute, Earl of Salisbury, and a Knight A.D. 1422.”

"Two Cross-Bowmen A.D. 1425."

“Charles the Seventh King of France and Joan of Arc, the Maid of Orleans A.D. 1430.”

“Richard Beauchamp Earl of Warwick A.D. 1439.”

“Sir John Crosbie & a Sargeant at Arms A.D. 1457.”

“Duke of York, Father of Edward the fourth, slain AD 1460.”

“A Suit of Armour, A.D. 1480.”

“Two Suits of Armour, A.D. 1540.”

“A Suit of Genoese Armour A.D. 1543.”

“Long Bellied Armour A.D. 1545.”

“Embossed Armour A.D.1565.”

“An English Gentleman A.D. 1590.”

“An Officer of Pikemen A.D. 1616.”

“Richard the Second.”  [Text with illuminated letter]

“Henry the Fifth.”  [Text with illuminated letter]

“Edward the Fifth.”  [Text with illuminated letter]

“Richard the Third.”  [Text with illuminated letter]