The Oxford Guide to Heraldry

by Thomas Woodcock, John Martin Robinson

The fascinating art of heraldry, with its special rules and methods, its system of symbols denoting prominent families and institutions, and its display of pageantry, has intrigued people for centuries. Evidence of it exists throughout Europe on everything from stained glass to pub signs.
Lavishly illustrated with color and black and white plates, The Oxford Guide to Heraldry offers a delightful tour of the heart of medieval pagentry. The only guide to heraldry written entirely by Officers of Arms with full access to the College of Arms Library (which contains the most
important heraldic records and manuscripts in the world), this beautiful, enriching volume covers the origins of heraldry, the composition of arms and their visual appearance, the use of arms as decoration, how and why arms are granted, and to whom, and much more. It also explains how coats of arms
have differed from country to country, with informative sections on France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and other European nations, plus a complete chapter devoted to heraldry in America. This authoritative volume is an invaluable reference for anyone interested in genealogy, history, chivalry, or the
decorative arts.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Reference, Medieval, Art

246 pages, Paperback

First published November 24, 1988

Reviews

[Jeremy · Rating 2 out of 5]

An incredibly disappointing book. As a member of the College of Arms, Thomas Woodcock is eminently qualified to write a book on heraldry. The contents of the book attest to his vast knowledge of the subject. However, the structure and organization of the book leave much to be desired.

The Oxford Guide to Heraldry almost seems like a stream of consciousness collection of thoughts. It's almost as though the reader were sitting in a corner office of the College of Arms hearing Woodcock ramble on about heraldry.

Much of the book follows the pattern of making a statement and then giving several examples or counterexamples. For instance, the author might say something like - German heraldry doesn't use the color blue, except in rare circumstances. Schwingen of Blabberstein's coat of arms was azure a fess paley or, Totten of Hohenstor's coat was ... etc., etc., etc.

The book basically launches into this style from the beginning. There is no explanation of what azure or or is, or even what a fess paley is. I've read a few books on heraldry, so I have some familiarity with the tinctures, etc., but not to the extent required by this book.

In addition, while the book has several great illustrations, they're rarely placed near the text that they illustrate. Also, the text doesn't indicate that there is an accompanying illustration. Sometimes I had to even look back at the text to figure out what concept the picture was supposed to illustrate.

It's almost as if the book had no editor at all. It would have been a much better book with a first chapter introducing the concepts of heraldry, such as the tinctures and charges, followed by the several existing chapters on heraldric history and the differences between arms in different countries.

I became so exasperated while reading this book that I began to wonder if the Oxford University Press was just a vanity publisher. They're also the publishers of the Very Short Introduction series, which I have found to be hit or miss. In the case of those books and this one, it almost seems as if the whole point is for the author to be able to brag about how much they know, not so much about helping others understand the subject.

There are much better books on heraldry out there. I recommend Complete Guide To Heraldry by Fox-Davies for a great introduction.

[Bernie4444 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learn about heraldry in context.

“Heraldry, defined as the systematic heraldry used of an arrangement of charges or devices on a shield, emerged at about the same moment in the mid-12th century over a wide area of Europe.”

My first introduction to heraldry was military heraldry. Since then I realized that this is an integral part of genealogical searches.

What sets this particular book apart from others is that it tries to put heraldry into context instead of just standalone statistics.

And I think you’ll have fun just reading through all the different pieces of information that describe different heraldry.

[Carolyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF

[Raul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful introduction for someone new to the subject. It combines a basic history of heraldry, an explanation of terms, including a very useful "Glossary of Heraldic terms", and lists of the "colors" and "tinctures" and the terms and abbreviations used to represent these in heraldic descriptions, also a basic descriptions of rules and terminology used in the design of heraldic shields and crests, how these are combined as shields pass from one generation to another, and finally the institutional framework that exists to administer these rules. The emphasis is on Great Britain, one of the countries where shields & crests are legally required to be lawfully granted and registered.

[Michael Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

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. Another nice gift book.

[Shayne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Comprehensive, or so it seems to me. Of note, there is a great glossary at the back that lists all the terms used in the book – don't be like me and miss it, then flounder through the text with Google searches the whole way through.

[Domalina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh.