Tosta, M. L.; 2021

María Luisa Tosta, «Los Tosta en Venezuela y en el mundo», researchers María Luisa Tosta y Milhone Tosta, 618 pages, includes numerous illustrations, with several on each page, graphic design and layout by María Elena Ayala, printed at Gráficas Lauki, ISBN 978-980-18-2181-6, Legal Deposit MI2021000502, Caracas, 2021.

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Through the first five chapters, the authors explore the etymology of the Tosta surname, its historical presence in different parts of the world, and its establishment in Venezuela in the 18^th century.

In the intermediate chapters, the book delves into the various branches of the Tosta family, tracing their connections and the genealogical links that span multiple generations.

The final chapters focus on the individual stories of the most prominent members of the Venezuelan branch of the family, revealing intriguing aspects such as their significant contributions to the country's history and other unique characteristics.

With an approach that goes beyond genealogy, the author and the researchers contextualize the lives of the Tosta family within the social, political, and economic frameworks of their times, offering a complete and enriching portrait of this fascinating family.

I am honored to be mentioned in the acknowledgments. It is a privilege to have made my small contribution to this a meaningful work.

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Bibliographical reference of century XXI.

Classification: Castilian language and In color.

Author: María Luisa Tosta.

Internal resources: Galley proofs, private copy, sent by one of the researchers.

Azure, a cross flory voided Argent; a bordure Gules charged with sixteen saltires couped Or.

Escudo de azur, una cruz hueca flordelisada de plata; una bordura de gules cargada de dieciséis sotueres cortados de oro.

Arms interpreted by me, highlighted with lights and shadows, contoured in Sable, with a semi-circular external shape and with a leather finish.

Coat of arms of Alfonso Sánchez de Perella, 1^st Mayor of Burgos, emblazoned by me.

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Blazon keywords: Azure, Argent, Gules, Or, One, Sixteen, Cross, Flory, Voided, Bordure, Saltire and Couped.

Style keywords: Outlined in sable, Illuminated, Semi-circular and Leather.

Classification: Personal, Interpreted, Boa and Coat of arms.

Bearer: Sánchez de Perella, Alfonso.

Azure, a cross flory voided Argent; a bordure Gules charged with sixteen saltires couped Or.

Arms painted by me, illuminated with lights and shadows, contoured in Sable, with a semi-circular external shape and with a texturized finish.

Alfonso Sánchez de Perella, first mayor of Burgos emblazoned by me. He appears as the [Cofradía de Santiago; Century XIV; 4^th knight, 1^st of the page 21 V], from this 14^th century Book of the Brotherhood of Knights of Santiago de la Fuente. This was a brotherhood founded by the Burgos citizens at the time of King Alfonso XI of Castilla, 1311-1350. In the book, there are 14 saltires instead of 16, as it appears that one is missing on the sinister side of the base, and there are 4 in the chief instead of 5.

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Blazon keywords: Azure, Argent, Gules, Or, One, Sixteen, Cross, Flory, Voided, Bordure, Saltire and Couped.

Style keywords: Outlined in sable, Illuminated and Semi-circular.

Classification: Personal, Interpreted, Boa and Coat of arms.

Bearer: Sánchez de Perella, Alfonso.

Anonymous, «Founder's and benefactors' book of Tewkesbury abbey», Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford, call number MS. Top. Glouc. d. 2, recorded in the Catalogue of Western Medieval Manuscripts in Oxford Libraries, manuscript, illustrated, 46 leaves, 245 x 175 millimeters, except fols. 12, 16, and 38, which are smaller, Tewkesbury, beginning of the 16^th century.

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Origin, historical context, and contents

It is is a medieval manuscript originating from Tewkesbury Abbey at the beginning of the 16^th century. This Latin manuscript provides records and depictions of the abbey's founders and benefactors, such as: William Fitzcount, 2^nd Earl of Gloucester, died 1183; Oddo and Doddo, Dukes of Mercia; Hugh, great Duke of Mercia, lord of the manor of Tewkesbury, buried at Tewkesbury in 812; Robert Fitzhamon, lord of Creully, Calvados in Normandy, died 1107, and his wife, Sybil, patrons of Tewkesbury Abbey’s reconstruction; Edward Despenser, died 1375; Thomas Despenser, Earl of Gloucester, died 1400; and Isabel Despenser, 1400-1439.

Illustrations and manuscript details

The manuscript is noted for its illustrations, which are believed to have been created by John of Evesham, a monk at Tewkesbury. The illustrations are thought to be copied from painted statues, approximately 70 cm high, which once decorated the abbey church. The manuscript comprises 46 leaves, with most pages measuring 245 x 175 millimeters, though folios 12, 16, and 38 are smaller in size.

In the image, folio 25v depicts Thomas Despenser, Earl of Gloucester, in armor, wearing a red bonnet with a badge, and a mantle with epaulettes over a heraldic surcoat. He holds a sheathed sword and is surrounded by six coats of arms and the badge of the Garter with the flag of Saint George; and folio 26r features a text page with ten coat of arms.

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Bibliographical reference of century XVII.

Classification: Manuscript, Armorial roll, Latin language and In color.

Author: unknown.

The following articles cite this bibliographic reference:

• Castile and Leon
• Thomas Grenville, stone coat of arms

External link:

• Digital Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford.

Internal resources: 25 images in JPEG format.

Party per fess Azure and Sable, overall a four-towered castle Or, port and windows Sable.

Escudo cortado de azur y sable, brochante sobre la partición un castillo de cuatro torres de oro, aclarado de sable.

Arms depicted by me, highlighted with lights and shadows, outlined in Sable, with an ogee triple-pointed external shape and with a leather finish.

One of the ancient arms of the Rawson lineage emblazoned by me.

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Blazon keywords: Azure, Sable, Or, One, Party per fess, Overall, Four-towered, Castle and Port and windows.

Style keywords: Outlined in sable, Illuminated, Ogee Triple-Pointed and Leather.

Classification: Personal, Lineage, Interpreted, Boa and Coat of arms.

Bearer: Rawson, Lineage.

Party per fess Azure and Sable, overall a four-towered castle Or, port and windows Sable. Motto: «Laus · Virtutis · Actio».

Escudo cortado de azur y sable, brochante sobre la partición un castillo de cuatro torres de oro, aclarado de sable. Lema: «Laus · Virtutis · Actio».

Coat of arms emblazoned by me, highlighted with lights and shadows, contoured in Sable, with an ogee triple-pointed external shape and with a leather finish.

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Blazon keywords: Azure, Sable, Or, One, Party per fess, Overall, Four-towered, Castle, Port and windows and Motto.

Style keywords: Outlined in sable, Illuminated, Ogee Triple-Pointed and Leather.

Classification: Personal, Lineage, Interpreted, Boa and Coat of arms.

Bearer: Rawson, Lineage.

Party per fess Azure and Sable, overall a four-towered castle Or, port and windows Sable. Crest: Upon a wreath Or and Azure, a raven's head Sable, charged upon the neck with three gouttes, 1 and 2, and holding in its beak an annulet Or.

Arms emblazoned by me, highlighted with lights and shadows, contoured in Sable, with an an ogee triple-pointed outer contour and with a leather finishing.

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Blazon keywords: Azure, Sable, Or, One, Party per fess, Overall, Four-towered, Castle, Port and windows, Crest, Wreath, Raven, Head, Charged, Neck, Grasping, Beak and Annulet.

Style keywords: Outlined in sable, Illuminated, Ogee Triple-Pointed and Leather.

Classification: Personal, Lineage, Interpreted, Boa and Coat of arms.

Bearer: Rawson, Lineage.

Sigue por: Crest and motto of the Lineage Rawson.