This is the second volume of the new edition of Burke's Landed Gentry and, although following the pattern of Volume I, is a complete A-Z alphabet of entirely different families from those which have already appeared. Details have been obtained of about 100 families which have never appeared in "Burke," or which have not appeared for many years.

The index to this volume is cumulative, containing the names of the families which appear in Volume I and Volume II, so that it can be seen how much ground has already been covered.

Priority had of course to be given to those who have communicated with me during and since the publication of Volume I but further correspondence has produced even more material, so that a third volume is now in preparation. I am always interested to hear from people wishing to bring their family articles up to date or who have unpublished pedigrees to submit.

It would not be easy to surpass the value and interest of the three introductory articles by Mr. Anthony Powell, Mr. James Lees-Milne and Mr. Mark Bence-Jones printed in Volume I and I have therefore decided to repeat them, slightly revised by their authors before reprinting.

To establish the validity and correct design, etc., of family coats of arms has been one of the biggest problems of this volume. Many people set great store by the traditional possession of armorial bearings, yet their knowledge of how it is all worked out is very limited. Mr. John Brooke-Little, Richmond Herald at the College of Arms, and Sir Thomas Innes of Learney, the Lord Lyon King of Arms, again deserve gratitude for their help and advice in unravelling these things to (I hope!) everyone's satisfaction.

I would especially like to acknowledge the help given to me by my assistant Mr. Hugh Montgomery-Massingberd and by Mr. David Williamson and Mr. Mark Dottridge who worked efficiently outside the office, often sacrificing hours of valuable spate time.

October, 1968

PETER TOWNEND