The Sutton Companion to Heraldry

Ubiquitous in the fabric of our ancient churches, castles and houses, in documents, and on monuments and stained glass, heraldry represents a treasure house of information for both the historian and genealogist. Here Stephen Friar, an experienced armorist and historian, provides the reader with the [...]
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Ubiquitous in the fabric of our ancient churches, castles and houses, in documents, and on monuments and stained glass, heraldry represents a treasure house of information for both the historian and genealogist. Here Stephen Friar, an experienced armorist and historian, provides the reader with the keys to unlock the mysteries of heraldry's language, conventions and traditions. The origins of heraldry and its significance in the live of our noble and gentle forebears are considered, as are the interception of heraldic devices: the systems of marshalling which record affiliation, marriage and inheritance; cadency, by which the younger members of a family may be identified; and, the symbols themselves, which often contain obscure references to a family's history and its fluctuating relationships with the Crown. The conventions of armory are explained, and there is a useful section on the interpretation of blazon, the language of heraldry, complemented with an illustrated glossary.With over one hundred black-and-white photographs, sixteen pages of colour illustrations and exquisite line-drawings by Andrew Jamieson and John Ferguson, this volume provides a fascinating and comprehensive introduction to the subject. Stephen Friar is a writer and historian. His previous books include "The Comparison to Churches", "The Companion to Local History", "The Companion to Cathedrals and Abbeys" and "The Companion to Castles" all published by The History Press.