Beautifully illustrated with 32 full-color plates and over one hundred halftones and line drawings, The Oxford Guide to Heraldry offers a fascinating tour of the heart of medieval pagentry. The first guide to heraldry written by Officers of Arms with full access to the College of Arms Library--which boasts the finest collection of heraldic manuscripts in the world--this colorful volume is both an authoritative, completely up-to-date reference for experts and an excellent introduction for beginners, covering the origins of heraldry, the composition of arms and their visual appearance, the use of arms as decoration, and much more. The authors explain how coats of arms 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. They discuss the traditional tinctures (colors) used--two metals, five colors, and two furs--and reveal that the colors are continually updated (for instance, after World War II, the color Bleu Celeste was added to honor the Royal Air Force). The book also outlines the virtues associated with the colors (red or "gules" signified magnanimity, black or "sable" prudence), the types of shield division (such as pale, fess, bend sinister, and chevron), the symbolism of animals (the owl signified a lazy man, the bear a strong but unwise warrior), and countless other aspects of this ancient art. This encyclopedic resource also includes an appendix on the Royal Arms of Great Britain, a glossary of heraldic terms, and a list of English and Scottish Kings of Arms. Heraldry is many things: a fascinating art, a system of symbols denoting prominent families and institutions, a beautiful display of pageantry, an important part of the historical record. The most authoritative guide to heraldry available, this lavishly illustrated volume is an invaluable reference for anyone interested in genealogy, history, chivalry, or the decorative arts.

The Oxford Guide to Heraldry

ROBINSON, JOHN MARTIN

Woodcock, Thomas

History

Oxford University Press

Heraldry is many things: a fascinating and colorful art, a system of symbols denoting prominent families and institutions, a display of pageantry, and an invaluable aid to historians. This lavishly illustrated guide to the history and significance of heraldic symbols is the first comprehensive book written by Officers of Arms with full access to the records and manuscript collection of the College of Arms, the heraldic authority for the United Kingdom. At once an excellent introduction to heraldry and an authoritative up-to-date record for experts, this all-encompassing volume covers the origins of heraldry, the composition and appearance of arms, how they were and are granted, their evolution as families intermarry, and their decorative use. While Britain figures most prominently, the guide also includes separate chapters on American and European heraldry. Most important, the coats of arms and heraldic devices that illustrate this colorful book are drawn from manuscripts in the College of Arms Library, the most important collection of heraldic manuscripts in the world.

Europe

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.

Physical description; 240 p. : ill. (some col.) ; 26 cm. Subjects; Heraldry - Great Britain. Historic buildings - Great Britain.

Heraldry in historic houses of Great Britain

Reference

Genealogy

London New York : National Trust ; Distributed by H.N. Abrams

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.

Heraldry in Historic Houses of Great Britain

Harry N. Abrams

The Camden Miscellany V11 (1907)

Burnet, Gilbert

Courthop, George

Teen & Young Adult

Kessinger Publishing

Extracts from the Papers of Thomas Woodcock (ob. 1695)

Smith, George Charles Moore

Hall, Johnor

BiblioLife

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