S&N Genealogy Supplies have a range of new discs. Ones which caught my fancy include Burke's Landed Gentry 1914 (£17.45) where the preface notes that since the previous edition there had been considerable changes as the old landowners have way to those who had made money in commerce. There is an addendum record of a number of men who died in the first year of the War.

Arthur Fox-Davies compiled the 7th edition of Armorial Families (£17.95) which was published in 1929. Mr Fox-Davies writes that his research had uncovered a number of families claiming a coat of arms to which they were not entitled and there is a specific chapter on this subject. The rest is a standard listing of the contemporary male members of a family entitled to bear arms, their fathers, wives and children.

Cash for honours is not a new scandal. Stuart kings were often short of money and some of those they enobled may well have paid for the privilege. However the fees mentioned in Le Neve's Pedigrees of the Knights (£17.45) relate to recording their knighthoods in the College of arms where Peter Le Neve was created Norroy King of Arms in 1704. He listed those given this honour by monarchs from Charles II to Queen Anne, sometimes with the reason for their awards, like bravery in battle.

In 1745 followers of Bonnie Prince CHarlie marched from the Highlands of Scotland on London in an attempt to put him on the throne. They were defeated and a list of Persons Concerned in the Rebellion 1745-46 (£17.45) was made by the Commissioners of Excise in order to confiscate their property. The lists are arranged according to where the individuals came from and give their occupations, their role in the uprising and their whereabouts at the end of the rebellion.

Review by Kathy Chater