John Bossewell

John Bossewell (died 1580) was an English heraldic writer.^[1]

Life

Bossewell was, on his own account, from the north of England, and a gentleman. He appears to have acted as a notary public.^[2]

Works

As an antiquary devoted to heraldic study, Bossewell was a close follower of Gerard Legh. The first edition of his Workes of Armorie was published by Richard Totell in 1572, with a reprint in 1597. The first part, entitled "Concordes", is an abridgement of Legh's Accedens of Armory. Like Legh, he covered symbolism and allegory, conceits and fables.^[2]

Notes

1. Day, J. F. R. "Bossewell, John". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/2938. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
2.  Stephen, Leslie, ed. (1886). "Bossewell, John". Dictionary of National Biography 5. London: Smith, Elder & Co.

Attribution

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Stephen, Leslie, ed. (1886). "Bossewell, John". Dictionary of National Biography 5. London: Smith, Elder & Co.