John Guillim (c. 1565 – 7 May 1621) ofMinsterworth, Gloucestershire, was anantiquarian andofficer of arms at theCollege of Arms inLondon. He is best remembered for his monumental work onheraldry,A Display of Heraldry, first published in London in 1610.
Most sources date the birth of John Guillim to 1565 in the county ofHereford.[2] However, it is possible he may have been born around 1550.[3] He was the son of John Guillim ofWestbury-on-Severn inGloucestershire. This part ofEngland is very close to the border withWales and Guillim's ancestors were probably of Welsh extraction. He was educated atBrasenose College inOxford University.[2]
The first record of his involvement with heraldry is theEarl Marshal's warrant, dated 23 February 1604, permitting him to wear thetabard of thePortsmouth Pursuivant Extraordinary. FromMichaelmas 1613 he was receiving a salary from theCollege of Arms, although his official appointment asRouge Croix Pursuivant of Arms in Ordinary was not made until 1618[4] TheDisplay of Heraldry was written in about 1610 and was re-printed as early as 1611. Following Guillim's death seven further editions of the work appeared, the last in 1724. Some sources suggest that the original author of theDisplay of Heraldry was in fact a clergyman namedJohn Barkham who was unwilling to have the work published in his own name.[2]
The early writings on English heraldry, including Guillim, "not only perpetuate the nonsensical natural history of olden days but are largely responsible for erroneous beliefs about heraldic charges having definite symbolic meanings and their being granted as rewards for valorous deeds—beliefs that today are perpetuated by the vendors of mail-order and shopping mall family coats of arms."[5]
John Guillim ofMinsterworth married Frances Denys, second daughter ofRichard Denys (1525-1593), MP,[6] ofCold Ashton andSiston Court, Gloucestershire, by his wife Anne St John, daughter of SirJohn St. John of Bletsoe. By Frances he had the following children, 5 boys and 6 girls:[7]
Guillim's death is recorded as having occurred on 7 May 1621, probably atMinsterworth, although there is no record of his place of burial.[2]
