Basic Heraldry

by Stephen Friar, John Ferguson

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 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.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Historical, Medieval, British Literature

232 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1993

Reviews

[Kevin de Ataíde · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is excellent, presenting well both the language of heraldry and a compact history of the United Kingdom that accompanies it. It is a rather short book but, I think, accomplishes more than longer and more complicated books on the same subject.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a very gentle teaser about heraldry, not systematic or structured, at times little more than a sampler of some coats of arms but I still learned a little. Maybe it's just marketing for the college of arms who still sell them (for close to 10k!).

[Michael Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are in existence a great many guides and textbooks of heraldry, most of which inevitably repeat much the same information in much the same way. Heraldry is, after all, a conservative topic. Friar is an established heraldic authority as well as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, while Ferguson is a highly regarded heraldic artist and illustrator, which makes this volume one of the best available on the visual depiction of coat armor in all its aspects, from the standards of the Romans to the assumed arms of Dwight Eisenhower. The history of English arms proceeds from the golden dragon of the West Saxons through the leopards (or lions) of the Angevins (as illustrated by a surviving seal of Eleanor of Aquitaine), and on to the Commonwealth (which nevertheless included royal symbols). Many seals of noble families are reproduced, including the Warennes, Mortimers, Montacutes, Bohuns, Hollands, Talbots, Staffords, and many others. The evolution of the royal arms is followed in great detail, as it encapsulates so much of the history of the nation. The authors also provide an excellent exposition on the development of the multilayered Union Flag, on trends in contemporary grants of arms (including those to American citizens), and on civic and corporate heraldry, as well as giving limited attention to heraldry on the Continent. Friar also has some pointed comments to make regarding overly ostentatious augmentation and the decline in heraldic taste. The latter part of the volume explains the parts of the complete achievement, the nature of ordinaries, subordinaries, and charges, and the use of colors, metals, and furs. Ferguson’s illustrations throughout, both pen-and-ink and airbrushed color, are excellent and clear. This is by no means the only book to which the student should refer but it’s an excellent one with which to start.

[Arapahoe Libraries]

Ever watch amovie featuring knights and wonder about all the symbols on the shields they carried? Wonder no more - Basic Heraldry covers it all.