The Handbook to English Heraldry

Shields, seals and family emblems provide the starting points for Charles Boutell's guide to English heraldry. Written for beginners as well as readers seeking a general introduction, it explains the language used to describe arms, the divisions of a shield, and the rules governing colours, metals and furs. Chapters on historical sources connect these designs with seals, monuments and records, while nearly five hundred illustrations give the terminology a visible form.

The discussion becomes more detailed through examples of related families and royal arms. Labels, borders and changes of colour show how similar shields can distinguish different branches or individuals. This revised edition also includes a chapter on peerage dignities by A. C. Fox-Davies. Readers interested in British history or decorative art can use the handbook to understand how heraldic patterns carry information, and how a small alteration changes the meaning of a design.