A New Dictionary of Heraldry

by Stephen Friar (Editor)

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference

384 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1987

Reviews

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm referencing this a lot as I'm reworking the family arms for extended family. Stephen Friar's treatment of the subject looks fresh (the artwork of Anthony Wood John Ferguson, and other contemporary heraldic artists has a very crisp look that I prefer over the busy, elaborate, overworked heraldic art of the last two or three centuries). He is concise, and gives just enough interesting bits for spice without overdoing it. I appreciate, for example, his four-page entry on artistic style, which chronicles how the artform evolved, where it went dreadfully wrong, and how a rebirth in recent decades began with a focus on basic artistic principles such as composition, economy of line, and simplicity of design.

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the better heraldry books around, invaluable. Lots of easy usable charts, pictures, plates, and tables.