Entitled 'Armes of the Gentry of Cheshire, entred in the Visitation of that County made in A[nn]o 1663 and 1664 by me William Dugdale, Esqr., Norroy King of Armes', the volume contains 172 coats in trick and 16 blank. With notes throughout by Dugdale and an index (folios 1-2) in his hand. The arms were possibly drawn by Dugdale's clerk, Gregory King.
From the early 16th century to the late 17th century the heralds carried out county by county visitations in order to regulate the use of arms. Those who were allowed arms had them recorded, including the quarterings to which they were entitled. Dugdale was Norroy King of Arms from 1660 to 1677 and undertook the visitation of Cheshire in 1663-1664. The official visitation books by Dugdale and many related papers are held by the College of Arms (ref.: GB 0377 C36 ).