Heraldry in Historic Houses of Great Britain [Hardcover]

Thomas Woodcock (Author), John Martin Robinson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2000

Developed originally for medieval battle flags, heraldic coats of arms quickly became emblems of noble families' origins and identities. This unique illustrated book explores the roots and uses of heraldry and its terminology and lore, and shows how it influenced the design and decor of 50 houses owned and preserved by Britain's National Trust.

Drawing on their official access to the records of Britain's College of Arms, the authors illuminate the development of each house's heraldic symbols, which can indicate everything from marriages and honors to social status and even a sense of humor. The lush color photographs reveal the decorative uses of heraldry, as seen on paneling, carpets, stained glass, china, even door latches. Line drawings of each coat of arms and a gazetteer of what to look for in other National Trust properties provide readers with plenty more to investigate in historic houses throughout Great Britain.

216 illustrations, 111 in full color, 8 3/4 x 9 5/8"

THOMAS WOODCOCK is Norroy and Ulster King of Arms at Britain's College of Arms, responsible with Garter King of Arms for all grants of arms north of England's River Trent. He is the author of The Dictionary of British Arms.

JOHN MARTIN ROBINSON is Maltravers Herald Extraordinary at the College of Arms and the author of several books on historic British architecture. Together, they wrote The Oxford Guide to Heraldry.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

A stylized identification that indicated one's rank and place in society, heraldry brings to mind battle shields and coats of arms, medieval knights and nobility. Its use is well illustrated in this selection of 50 homes in Britain's National Trust. These historical homes bring the lineage and history of their heraldry to life, with beautiful pictures of the application of these emblems and symbols. Woodcock and Robinson, coauthors of The Oxford Guide to Heraldry, first give the reader a quick introduction to the history, art, and design of heraldry. Moving alphabetically though these National Trust homes, the authors detail their history and genealogy, augmenting each with a line drawing of the family coat of arms and a photo of the heraldry used in the home. This is a delightful approach, focusing on heraldry's actual application and telling interesting tales of family history and the evolution of coats of arms with a conversational text. Charming and intimate, this is a delightful supplement to the study of heraldry. Recommended for academic or larger public libraries.DKaren Ellis, Nicholson Memorial Lib. Syst., Garland, TX
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams (May 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810966913
• ISBN-13: 978-0810966918
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 9.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #237,173 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Heraldic aspects of great homes in Britain, June 15, 2002

By 

R. Num "silverfish" (BURNSIDE, SA Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Heraldry in Historic Houses of Great Britain (Hardcover)

Over the centuries the gentry and nobility of England and Wales have displayed their wealth and power through the magnificence of their dwellings. Heraldry is a visual form of identity, used to display ownership. In this well-researched and illustrated book two officers of the English College of Arms write with authority about the heraldry to be discovered in many different forms in some historic homes under the management of the National Trust of England. This book is a joy to read and browse, for the serious student of heraldry, and those seeking a deeper understanding of the uses of heraldry as seen in historic homes of Britain.

5.0 out of 5 stars A gorgeous "drool" book, July 8, 2005

By 

Michael K. Smith (South Louisiana) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Heraldry in Historic Houses of Great Britain (Hardcover)

Visit the ancestral home of an ancient titled family in Britain (many of them now in the care of the National Trust), and you're likely to be confronted by carved lions, painted greyhounds, and basilisks figured in the table linen. There's not a baronial manor that doesn't feature heraldic symbols everywhere they can be portrayed, a sort of billboard advertising the dignity of the resident family. More than fifty sumptuous homes are featured in this coffee table volume, including Tattershall Castle, property of the Cromwells, Blickling Hall, which belonged to the earls of Buckinghamshire, and Baddesley Clinton, seat of the Ferrers family, of medieval origins. There are more than a hundred full color plates and illustrations, plus another hundred heraldric line drawings. In explaining the symbolism depicted and the uses made of it, the authors include a great deal of anecdotal history of the great aristocratic families. A treasure trove for art and architecture historians as well as heraldicists.