An introduction to heraldry for the layman. It begins with the history, which touches on crucial moments and figures in the past such as the Crusaders, the Black Prince, Richard III and the Battle of Bosworth , Henry VIII and his wives and children. It describes the colourful medieval tournaments, the orders of chivalry such as the Garter and the Bath and peerage. Also examined are the distinctive Scottish, Welsh and Irish systems of heraldry, some Continental examples and the American inheritance. There is also an informed analysis of the elements in a coat of arms: the shield, tinctures, charges, helm and crest. All this is complemented with drawings which cover every aspect and period of the subject from a Roman standard to the coat of arms of President Eisenhower.

John Ferguson taught at the Universities of Newcastle, London and Birmingham in the UK, as well as Iba'dan, Nigeria, and Minnesota, USA. He was the founding Dean of Arts at the Open University, UK and President of Selly Oak Colleges, Birmingham. His publications include A Companion to Greek Tragedy (1972). John Ferguson was President of Selly Oak Colleges, Birmingham, UK, and author of a number of commentaries including Euripides' Medea and Electra: A Companion to the Penguin Translation (1991) and Hippolytus (1991) both available from Bloomsbury. John Ferguson taught at the Universities of Newcastle, London and Birmingham in the UK, as well as Iba'dan, Nigeria, and Minnesota, USA. He was the founding Dean of Arts at the Open University, UK and President of Selly Oak Colleges, Birmingham. His publications include A Companion to Greek Tragedy (1972). John Ferguson was President of Selly Oak Colleges, Birmingham, UK, and author of a number of commentaries including Euripides' Medea and Electra: A Companion to the Penguin Translation (1991) and Hippolytus (1991) both available from Bloomsbury.