Basic Heraldry [Hardcover]

Stephen Friar (Author), John Ferguson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1993

An introduction to heraldry for the layman. It begins with the history, which touches on crucial moments and figures in the past such as the Crusaders, the Black Prince, Richard III and the Battle of Bosworth , Henry VIII and his wives and children. It describes the colourful medieval tournaments, the orders of chivalry such as the Garter and the Bath and peerage. Also examined are the distinctive Scottish, Welsh and Irish systems of heraldry, some Continental examples and the American inheritance. There is also an informed analysis of the elements in a coat of arms: the shield, tinctures, charges, helm and crest. All this is complemented with drawings which cover every aspect and period of the subject from a Roman standard to the coat of arms of President Eisenhower.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

A coat of arms contains many elements including shield, tinctures, charges, helm, crest, wreath, and motto scroll. With these symbols, leading families and monarchs were distinguished. This new title complements Friar's earlier work, A Dictionary of Heraldry (Harmony, 1987). Friar is a heraldic consultant, founder of the Society of Heraldic Arts, and a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. Ferguson is a graduate of the Royal College of Art and a heraldic illustrator.

This introduction to heraldry describes its beginnings in ancient times and its history from the age of chivalry to the modern period. Crusader's pennons and banners, helms and seals of conquerers, livery collars, and the development of the Union Jack are among the dozens of drawings offered in this well-illustrated volume. Degrees of British peerage (duke, marquess, earl, viscount, and baron) are briefly explained and accompanied by artistic renderings of the coronet and coronation robes. The section titled "Orders of Chivalry" discusses the Order of the Garter, the Order of Bath, and others. Notes on civic, corporate, and ecclesiastical heraldry complete the history. Following are details and illustrations of the principal elements of a coat of arms. A brief list of suggested reading, addresses of heraldry societies, and an index complete the work.

Emphasizing color illustrations and reproductions of works of art in a handbook approach, Neubecker's Guide to Heraldry (McGraw-Hill, 1979) does not systematically trace the roots of heraldry as does Basic Heraldry. The historical perspective and attractive illustrations make Basic Heraldry a useful addition to libraries, though public libraries may want to put it in the circulating collection.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 200 pages
• Publisher: W W Norton & Co Inc; First edition. edition (April 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393034631
• ISBN-13: 978-0393034639
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,266,738 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Basic Introduction to Heraldry, April 19, 2000

By 

A Customer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Basic Heraldry (Reference S.) (Paperback)

Stephen Friar is always interesting, and this time has written intelligibly to introduce the subject of Heraldry to the non-informed. Basic Heraldry offers a good all-round in depth introduction to the subject of Heraldry. The book is well composed around a series of chapters touching on most of the aspects in which Heraldy is found today.

For the more initiate Friar's "An Heraldic Alphabet" is absolutely invaluable, containing as it does some revolutionary (for such a feudal science) theories about the classifying of Sub-Ordinaries.

The two books together form a useful beginner's library for a Heraldic enthusiast, if one is primarily interested in British Heraldry, although Basic Heraldry does also touch on the European Mainland side of things.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable, lots of useful information, August 17, 2005

By 

Frederic Woodbridge "Fred" (ID, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Basic Heraldry (Hardcover)

Filled with wonderful illustrations, interesting tales of Knights and Kings, Earls, Viscounts, and Barons, and a healthy shot of history, this book has so many things going for it that I am tempted to think this is the book for learning about Heraldy to the exclusion of any other and although I know that's not quite true (The Oxford Guide to Heraldry comes to mind), after even a quick perusal of the book, I'm sure anyone will be forgiven for thinking that. Highly recommended.

0 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sefadic kitchen, May 15, 2000

By 

Ruben Farache (Caracas Venezuela) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Basic Heraldry (Reference S.) (Paperback)

I Have not read it but would like to have it specially morrocan style