A Complete Guide to Heraldry

by Arthur Charles Fox-Davies

Heraldry, the study of family crests and medieval coats of arms, is a science and art steeped in the tradition of familial honor and shaped by strong cords of ancestry and origin. Here Arthur Charles Fox-Davies describes the origin and importance of heraldry and the myriad elements and designs used in the coats of arms of England and Scotland. He explores the meaning of symbols like birds, fruit, flowers, crowns, coronets, flags, and mottoes, and extensively discusses their derivation and significance. With 770 detailed illustrations designed to aid in tracing family lineage, this book will help historians, genealogists, collectors, and anglophiles sift through the records of history and better understand the past.

Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Arcade imprint, are proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in history--books about World War II, the Third Reich, Hitler and his henchmen, the JFK assassination, conspiracies, the American Civil War, the American Revolution, gladiators, Vikings, ancient Rome, medieval times, the old West, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Reference, Art, Medieval, Design, Art History

Paperback

First published June 13, 1929

Reviews

[reading is my hustle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Banners, crests, dragons, guilds, towns, heraldic lions, dragons :: all dating from the fourteenth to the twentieth century.

So very cool.

[Stephen Simpson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whether you prefer to call it "thorough" or "dense", this is a heavy-duty work on the subject. Not nearly as accessible as Slater's "Complete Book of Heraldry", this one definitely has more flavor in the text, with the author not infrequently saying "it's commonly said that ... but they're wrong".

It also struck me as more Anglophilic than other heraldry books I've read. Other areas weren't ignored, but I feel like it was definitely more thorough on topics relating to the British Isles.

[CR Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

nerdy

[Caroline Mathews · Rating 4 out of 5]

What's not to like about coats of arms and shields and crests? Well-told and properly explained. Loved this.

[Ryan Ricks · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a book! Not for the faint of heart. The author uses a lot of terms before defining them, so that can be frustrating. He has a fair bit of dry humor and snark, which is surprising for a work like this.

[nerveblot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic overview of heraldry, with a focus on (unsurprisingly) the English. I think the language (circa 1909) suits the subject matter.

[Chance Hudson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought a hardcover copy and thoroughly enjoyed both the explanation of the various parts within the discipline of heraldry, as well as the striking illustrations enclosed within.

[S. D. Howarth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very comprehensive account purchased for reference. very useful information with clear and precise details and examples.

[Helene Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

ISBN? - 9781853263651

General Subject/s? - History / Heraldry / Politics / Art

Title? - Common images that appear on heraldic badges and what they mean - badgers, lions, tigers, panthers, helmets, crowns, etc.

General Analysis? - A fantastic book full of facts that help you to break down complex images into bite-size chunks. I use it for the heraldic badges, but it can be used for a much wider purpose as well.

Recommend? – Yes, great.

[Wetdryvac · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm actually in the Project Gutenberg edition at http://www.gutenberg.org/files/48573/... and hoping that this and that are the same, but it's a lovely pick up and browse sort of a book. I'd expected more about the art and less about the weaponry, but I'm pleasantly surprised indeed. Very much a browsing book rather than a cover-to-cover one for anyone outside of specialty research, but I'll definitely be going back over this a few more times.

[Roy · Rating 3 out of 5]

If someone is interested in heraldry, this is a good book for teaching the basics of blazon - the rules that are followed in designing and "reading" a coat of arms. But that is all it is. It's a primer, not an advanced text. Nor is it a reference work for determining if a design is in conflict with extant arms. Regard it in that light, and it deserves a place on your reference shelf.

[Daniel Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

honorable subject

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty much the definitive work on the subject. 'Nuff said!

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this book. Classical heraldry book from the Victorian perspective, very clear and easy to understand.

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this book. Classical heraldry book from the Victorian perspective, very clear and easy to understand.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite being written 100 years ago, this is still one of the top Heraldic reference books written.