Gerard Legh

Son of Hen. Legh or Leigh of London, natural or base Son of Randal Legh, (by his Concubine one Woodroffs Widow of Derby) second Son of Sir Edm. Legh of Baguly in Cheshire Knight, (living 39. H. 6.) was born in London, where being trained up for a time in Grammaticals, was sent to Oxon to compleat them, and to obtain so much of the Logicals that he might the better conquer the rudiments of the municipal Law; for, if I am not mistaken, he studied for some time in one of the Inns of Court. But such was the vigour of his natural genius to Heraldry, Genealogies, and History, that he postpon’d those beneficial studies and totally gave himself up to those of honor and less benefit. All that he hath published is that fruitful and worthy treatise, entit.

The Accedence of Armorie. Lond. 1568. and 1612. in qu. Which being the first book of that nature that was ever printed in the English tongue, was a pattern or platform to those that came after, viz. to Will. Wyrley in his True use of Armory. Printed 1592. qu. to Joh. Boswell when he wrot his Works of Armory in 3 books. Lond. 1597. qu. and to others. In the beginning of Apr. 1577. there was some dispute made among the relations of the said Ger. Legh who should administer his goods, debts, chattels, &c. So that I presume he died in Fifteen hundred seventy and six; 1576 (18. Elizab.) which is all that I yet know of him, or his works.