The romance and legend surrounding the knight in shining armor have intrigued people for centuries. Heraldry, which has its roots in the tournaments these knights fought to display their skill and courage, also remains a fascinating subject, especially with the recent interest in tracing one's family history. "Discovering Heraldry" is a concise and thorough introduction to heraldry and its language, which is easily learned with a little practice. Each term is explained with illustrations and clear text, so that the reader will understand what a coat of arms consists of and the rules that govern its arrangement. The book traces the development of heraldry, beginning with the first truly heraldic shield of Geoffrey of Anjou in 1127. There are chapters on the shield, badges, flags, civil and ecclesiastical heraldry, heraldry in many countries, and royal heraldry. A bibliography for further reading and a thorough index complete this informative book.

Discovering heraldry

Fearn, Jacqueline

Gramercy Pub. Co.

About the Author\nJacqueline Fearn has always been fascinated by the Industrial Revolution and the manner in which the Victorians, particularly, exploited every opportunity offered by new technology to make an article to fill a need, and then to sell it. Her other titles with Shire include: Cast Iron and Thatch and Thatching.\nFor many people life in the early twentieth century was not very different from what it had been in the eighteenth century, but after the Second World War standards of living rose markedly with the transition to the almost universal use of gas and electric power. Many items that would have been familiar to householders of the last few centuries are illustrated in this book and placed in the context of the domestic life of their periods, describing how they developed and how they were used. Such obsolete household utensils now attract the interest of collectors, but it is still possible to acquire some of them relatively inexpensively, and besides providing the owner with a piece of social history, many of them are quite decorative. The bygones described in this book range from fire irons and the equipment used for cooking on the open fire to the moustache cup and the goffering stick.

Domestic Bygones (Shire Library)

History

Historical Study & Educational Resources

Shire

The craft of the thatcher probably gives more pleasure to people than any other of our rural crafts. Thatching is a craft most people know nothing about and which is commonly thought to be dying out. In fact, thatchers in all three materials - water reed, long straw and combed wheat reed - now have an assured livelihood after two centuries of uncertainty. This book outlines the history of thatching in Britain from its use as the commonest form of roofing to the present day and explains how the thatcher works with his traditional materials.

Thatch and Thatching (Shire Library)

Crafts, Hobbies & Home

Crafts & Hobbies

Heraldry's unfamiliar terminology discourages people from learning more about this fascinating subject but heraldic language is essential for the precise description of a coat of arms. This book provides a gentle introduction explaining terms and providing basic principles.

Discovering Heraldry (Shire Discovering)

Europe

Thatch and Thatching (Shire Album Series : No. 16)

Shire Pubns

For many people life in the early twentieth century was not very different from what it had been in the eighteenth century, but after the Second World War standards of living rose markedly with the transition to the almost universal use of gas and electric power. Many items that would have been familiar to householders of the last few centuries are illustrated in this book and placed in the context of the domestic life of their periods, describing how they developed and how they were used. Such obsolete household utensils now attract the interest of collectors, but it is still possible to acquire some of them relatively inexpensively, and besides providing the owner with a piece of social history, many of them are quite decorative. The bygones described in this book range from fire irons and the equipment used for cooking on the open fire to the moustache cup and the goffering stick.

Domestic Bygones