By his own account, Hans von Hinwil, lord of Elgg castle
(1498-1544), wrote his family book in the year 1541. An
introduction to the history of the family is followed by the coats
of arms of his ancestors in chronological order. This manuscript
can be compared with other well-known family books such as those of
the lords of Eptingen or the lords of Hallwyl; however, for Eastern
Switzerland it constitutes a unique example among the nobility of
the formation of tradition in words and in images.
