Author: Lesley Abrahams

Explore the relationships of the past and discover links to ancestral history in Hungerford Heraldry: Inheritance Charts 1160-1711.
Trace the origins of the 143 different Coats of Arms of members of the Hungerford family from 1160 to 1711 through the unique graphical inheritance charts for 47 ancestors.
Introductory chapters explain the language of heraldry, the history of the early Hungerfords and their link to Salisbury Cathedral. The 47 Inheritance Charts will interest descendants of Hungerfords and other ancient families. A detailed table of contents and a comprehensive index are included to assist the reader. See below for samples.
This unique book will interest Hungerford descendants, people with an interest in heraldry and visitors to Salisbury Cathedral.
The book comprises over 216 pages in colour and published in softcover.
Price: AU$75 + flat fee for postage and packaging.
Inheritance charts
Tracing relationships, births and lineages spanning hundreds of years, Hungerford Heraldry: Inheritance Charts 1160-1711 lays out the evolutions of Coats of Arms in stunning visual charts,as shown in the samples below.
Table of Contents and List of Inheritance Charts
About Lesley Abrahams
HAFS President Lesley Abrahams [H.4a.1b.1c.1d/E.6.5a.1b.1c.1d] has a fascination with all things heraldic but particularly as it pertains to our Hungerford ancestors.
Lesley grew up on an apple orchard in the Blue Mountains of NSW, her parents being serious readers. Her mother was a historian, teacher and author. Lesley worked as a Librarian before retraining as a Teacher-Librarian, following this career until 2010. Since then her time is divided between family history, research, and volunteering at Taronga Western Plains Zoo and acting as our President.
Lesley has been researching Hungerford history and heraldry for over twelve years, culminating in this comprehensive new book.
Behind the book
The basis of research in this book is the shields above the Radnor Family Pews in Salisbury Cathedral, England, and its launch was timed to coincide with the 600-year anniversary of the investiture of Walter, first Lord Hungerford as a Knight of the Order of the Garter, on 3 May 1421. Read more about the story behind the book in our earlier post Launch of Hungerford Heraldry~Inheritance Charts 1160-1711.
See some purchasers’ comments below
It is splendidly presented and will be consumed with interest. AND IT HAS AN INDEX – congratulations and thank you. Richard d’Apice AM AIH President Emeritus, Australian Heraldry Society
Wow! It’s beautiful. Sylvia Hungerford
CONGRATULATIONS! It’s such a huge achievement to see a project like this through to fruition. Peter Sherlock, Melbourne Historian
At every event in Tudor history, there is a Hungerford, or Hungerford cousin or uncle or aunt standing in the room, or on the battlefield! (even if not mentioned in novels or biographies, you can find them here). Kathy Smart
Many congratulations on the high quality of the production, and the comprehensive account you provide of Hungerford heraldry. A particular highlight for me was pulling together material from a number of different nineteenth-century authorities like Canon Jackson to present a body of evidence from which readers could draw conclusions. It also felt like a long-lost meeting with familiar faces, known from 30 years of research. This includes not only the ancestral connections in the heraldry and the charts, but also more recent folk who have delved into the stories, from the well-known Ron Mathieson to others like Tony Pratt who helped me out with my doctoral research some 25 years ago. Peter Sherlock, Melbourne Historian.
Happy 600th! [Hungerford Heraldry] It is a triumph! I have learnt a great deal, and quite easily for such a complex subject. Which made me realise that yesterday [3 May] was indeed the 600th anniversary of Sir Walter’s investiture [in 1421]. Charles Sherlock, Editor HAFS Journal.
Thank you to all the readers for your thoughtful responses.
Thank you so much for sending “Hungerford Heraldry”. You have tied together the background, the facts and the explanation into a most impressive publication. I can now refer to a source that I can put into context and understand. Congratulations! Jenny Wilson
Took me a bit longer to read the book than I anticipated, but there was so much of interest. Firstly the chapter on Heraldry, I learnt a lot and the book will be a very useful resource for this subject in the WANHS Library. Fantastic inheritance charts … I greatly admired Neil Munns photographs; …Congratulations on a great book.. – Bill Perry (UK) (Wiltshire Museum volunteer)
We arrived home last night to find them waiting for us in perfect shape. They are truly beautiful and my initial reading proves them to be most helpful for Hungerford interest but helpful as well on many levels for someone interested in genealogy and heraldry in general. Thank you for your huge efforts in realizing this lovely publication !
Thank you to John Gullet (USA) for his kind thoughts.