The Oxford Guide to Heraldry

by Woodcock, Thomas; Robinson, John Martin

• ISBN13: 9780192802262
• ISBN10: 0192802267
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-12-06
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

Heraldry is many things: a fascinating and colourful art with specialrules and methods; a system of symbolsdenoting prominent families and institutions; a display of pageantry; and aninvaluable aid to historians. And, quite apart from itsrelevance to genealogical and historical studies, even an slight knowledge ofheraldry can make all the difference in tracing family histories, and in lookingat old houses, churches, and monuments.This lavishly illustrated guide to the history and significance of heraldicsymbols is the first to have been written by Officers of Arms with full accessto the records and manuscript collection of the College of Arms, the heraldicauthority for the UK. It is both an excellent and informative introduction tothe fascinating subject of heraldry, and and authoritative up-to-date record forexperts.Subjects covered in this comprehensive book include the origins of heraldry, thecomposition and appearance ofarms, how and why they were, and still are, granted, their evolution as familiesgrow and intermarry, and their use as decoration. While most attention is paidto Britain, there are also separate chapters on American and European heraldry,the latter covering France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Poland, Russia, Austria,Belgium, Portugal, and the Netherlands.The book is illustrated with coats of arms and heraldic devices drawn frommanuscripts in the College of Arms Library, the most important collection ofheraldic manuscripts in the world.

Author Biography

Thomas Woodcock qualified as barrister and is Somerset Herald. He was joint editor with the Chester Herald of the Dictionary of British Arms Medieval Ordinary, vols. I & II. John Martin Robinson is Maltravers Herald Extraordinary. His books include The Wyatts, Royal Residences, and The Architecture of Northern England.

Table of Contents

List of Colour Plates	ix
Introduction	xi
Origins of Heraldry	1	(13)
European Heraldry	14	(19)
Grantees of English Arms	33	(17)
The Shield of Arms	50	(25)
Crests	75	(18)
Supporters, Badges, and Mottoes	93	(23)
Marshalling of Arms	116	(23)
Heraldic Authority in Great Britain	139	(17)
American Heraldry	156	(16)
The Use of Heraldry as Decoration	172	(15)
Appendix A: The Royal Arms of Great Britain	187	(5)
Appendix B: English and Scottish Kings of Arms	192	(5)
Glossary of Heraldic Terms in General Use	197	(10)
Bibliography	207	(4)
Index	211