Discovering Heraldry [Paperback]

Jacqueline Fearn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2000 | Series: Discovering

Heraldry's unfamiliar terminology tends to discourage people from learning more about this fascinating subject. But heraldic language is essential for the precise description of coat of arms and is soon learned with a little practice. This book provides a gentle introduction, explaining each term with illustrations and text and expounding the basic principles so the reader will understand what a coat of arms consists of and the rules that govern its arrangement.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Shire Publications; Reprint edition (April 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0852634765
• ISBN-13: 978-0852634769
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,466,961 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars A useful field guide to the coat of arms, August 10, 2011

By 

Karl Janssen (Olathe, KS United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Discovering Heraldry (Paperback)

Those who do genealogical or historical research may have the good fortune to stumble upon a coat of arms in a centuries-old source. Since color illustrations were costly and time consuming, these armorial bearings were most often described in written form using the unique language of heraldry, a mixture of English and French from a time long past which is largely unintelligible to the reader of today. This little book provides a very good key to deciphering that language, and offers a wealth of useful information on the history and design of coats of arms and other works of heraldic art.

Its small size, thin width, and simplistic illustrations might lead one to believe that this is a children's book. However, the text is definitely written for an educated person, and a basic knowledge of European history and geography is assumed. You're expected to know, for example, who the Tudors and Plantagenets were, along with many other royal personages of Europe. The bulk of the book is essentially a glossary of heraldic terminology, though written in paragraph form and organized thematically rather than alphabetically. An alphabetical index resides in the back. The terms are accompanied by simple line drawings illustrating the basic elements of heraldic design. The book does not confine itself merely to the design of the coat-of-arms shield, but also encompasses the broader picture of crests, seals, badges, supporters, and orders of knighthood that accompany the shield in a complete heraldic achievement. There is also some discussion of the practical workings of heraldry, such as the methods used to distinguish the arms of multiple heirs in a family or the combination of arms through marriage. The primary focus of the book is the heraldry of Great Britain, with a chapter on international heraldry that touches on the other nations of Europe and their colonies elsewhere in the world.

For those wishing to try their own hand at creating heraldic art, this little book gives you everything you need to know to design your own coat of arms. Your task will be made difficult, however, by the multitude of options it makes available to you. In short, the scant 92 pages of this little guide are packed with valuable material. It provides a comprehensive introduction to heraldry that is fascinating, informative, and fun.