This beautifully-illustrated book was written by four members of the Mortimer History Society: Rosalind Caird, John Cherry, Philip Hume and Hugh Wood. In 2015, they became aware of a previously unknown heraldic roll of great significance to Ludlow. Dating from around 1576 it contains the coats of arms of 42 people associated with the castle and its history.

For over 200 years, Ludlow Castle was home to the Council in the Marches of Wales. Originally established in 1473, as a personal council to support Edward, Prince of Wales, over the years it became a form of independent government with major devolved powers over Wales and the Welsh Marches. Between 1560 and 1588. the Lord President of the Council was Sir Henry Sidney KG. In 1574 he had 46 coats of arms set up in the round chapel within the castle. These were added to in the years that followed and were recorded by William Mytton in the 18th century. These shields have now completely disappeared.

What no one seems to have realised is that Sir Henry had his original 46 shields copied onto a parchment roll, and it is this manuscript that has been found, though without four of the original shields. The coats of arms are of 11 previous owners of the castle, including Mortimers and members of the House of York. Then there are Sir Henry himself with the 22 contemporary members of the Council, and finally 8 former Presidents.

Following a successful appeal, the roll was acquired for the town. It was then copied, conserved and analysed in some detail. As well as describing this work, the book sets the roll in its historical context and includes interesting biographies of all the individuals on the roll. Also included are full notes on the heraldry, with identification and  blazoning of all quarterings.