Though the gentle science of heraldry might seem to be far removed from the utilities of our present day world, it enjoys a popularity surprising to those unacquainted with the charm of its history and the beauty of its form. Based mainly upon the works of the Reverend Charles Boutell, this book has again been revised and extended with a view to furthering that popularity. Mr. J. P. Brooke-Little, who has made the revision, describes heraldry as a living thing, constantly changing, frequently capricious, and ever reflecting the social habits and artistic canons of the age. He substantiates this opinion with a lively new feature on trends and developments in the heraldic world. Complementing the full and lucid text are twenty-eight plates in color and over four hundred text figures, and the book concludes with a comprehensive glossary and index to the terminology of heraldry. Contents: I. The Beginning and Growth of Heraldry II. Definitions, Heraldic Language, and Blazoning III. The Shield and Coat of Arms IV. Tinctures, Lines, and Fields V. Simple Forms of Heraldry: The Ordinaries VI. The Heraldry of the Cross VII. Simple Forms of Heraldry: The Subordinaries VIII. Heraldic Charges IX. Differencing X. Cadency XI. Augmentations XII. Marshalling XIII. The Crest and its Accessories XIV. Badges and Knots XV. Mottoes XVI. Supporters XVII. Crowns and Coronets XVIII. Orders of Knighthood and Insignia of Honor XIX. The Royal Heraldry of Great Britain and Ireland XX. Official and Corporate Heraldry XXI. Commonwealth and Foreign Heraldry XXII. Flags XXIII. The Heralds and Their Functions XXIV. Heraldic Authorities and Sources XXV. Recent Trends and Developments Select Bibliography Glossary and Index
