Customer Reviews

The Oxford Guide to Heraldry

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

An excellent introduction to the field by the Somerset Herald. Chapters cover the origins and evolution of the herald's art, the marshalling of arms, the technical aspects of blazoning, and even the proper decorative use of heraldry. The emphasis, naturally, is on Britain, but Europe and the United States are included as well. Very nicely illustrated, too, with a thick section of color plates. And a nice gift book, too.

This is an outstanding and authoritative introduction to heraldry written by two English heraldists, one an officer of the College of Arms in London. The book is well researched and illustrated. Too often heraldic books are reprints or new editions of books from the first part of the 20th Century. This book has contemporary design and language and is well fitted to be the definitive guide at the turn of the 20th Century. It should be included in the library of every person with a serious interest in heraldry.

This is a well-researched, comprehensive analysis of the history of heraldry in both England and Europe. It features several full-color as well as grayscale plates illustrating ancient coats of arms and the evolution of this art to the modern day. A glossary with illustrations is included in the appendix, and it is well-indexed.

Review of "The Oxford Guide to Heraldry" by Thomas Woodcock and John Robinson.

At only 233 pages this tome is not large but the quality of production is clearly evident. With heavy acid free paper and superb color and black and white plates the book actually weighs twice as much as inferior quality books of the same size and pages.

The content of the book is survey in nature and explains the Origins of Heraldry; European Heraldry; Grantees of English Arms; The Shield of Arms; Crests; Supporters, Badges, and 'Mottoes'; Marshalling of Arms; Heraldric Authority in Great Britain; American Heraldry; & The Use of Heraldry as Decoration.

A comprehensive index and bibliography round out this fine work. If you are interested in heraldry and need a very good primer, or if you are a researcher and need an authoritative reference then I would recommend this text as an excellent resource.

Five stars without reservation.

JP

This book contains endless lists of names and dates that might be interesting if you are interested in English geneology, but you have to looks for information on heraldry. There are also cumbersome descriptions of things that should have been illustrated in pictures.