“An illustrated reference to classic symbols and their relevance.” In other words, a thorough explanation of the origins and development of heralds, law of arms, coat of arms, the language of heraldry, messages and declarations. Medieval shields and armor often displayed different pictures and symbols, and this great book describes in detail how this system originated and developed over time. The material is extremely interesting but may be too much for the young or casual learner. Those fascinated by medieval history or interested in heraldry will love the facts, explanations, and illustrations included in this book. The book has an encyclopedia feel to it, with glossy pages, three columns of small text per page, and italicized captions describing each full-color photograph, reproduction, or illustration. The book differs from an encyclopedia in that it includes tons of illustrations, including reproductions of famous paintings, depictions of armor and other outfits, hundreds of heraldic designs, and much more. The book is divided into five main sections. The first describes the origins and early development of heraldry (signs on shields, flags, seals, etc.), including uses in tournaments, identification in battle, impressing viewers, details about medieval flags, and more. The second section discusses heralds and the Law of Arms. This includes a detailed description of what heralds did (made announcements about tournaments, recognized individuals in battle and recorded their deeds, granted arms (weapons) to certain people, and more), an explanation of the link between heralds and arms, and a history of the laws surrounding who can own and use arms. Information is included from the 14^th century to present day. The third section covers the Coat of Arms - the outfits and accessories worn over a warrior’s armor. Shields, crests, helmets, coronets, mottos, and more are covered, all with plenty of colorful illustrations. The fourth section of the book covers the language of heraldry and explains how heralds and others describe different crests and coat of arms. There’s actually a distinct language called blazonry that heralds use to describe heraldry to each other, and the book does a great job of making that language easy to understand. The final section of the book covers messages and declarations and explains what different symbols in heraldry mean and how coat of arms could be degraded and integrated with other coat of arms. Overall, the book gives an incredibly thorough explanation of heraldry, including a detailed history and even information on modern traditions surrounding heraldry. Hundreds of illustrations of shields showing traditional heraldic designs and symbols and other illustrations take up about half of the pages. These colorful illustrations and detailed facts make this book perfect for students who are fascinated with medieval history and curious about the origins and meanings of heraldry. Glossary and index included. Book measures 9” x 11.5”, written by Stephen Slater, 128 pages, durable softcover. ~ *Jon and Rachel